Comfort Keepers Code of Ethics

We at Comfort Keepers of Red Deer are committed to being an integral part of the communities we serve. We are accountable for conducting ourselves in a professional and client-centered manner, upholding the honor and dignity of our clients, and acting in a way that is consistent with ethical standards. This Code of Ethics is intended to provide Comfort Keepers with specific ethical principles to use when addressing situations that may be encountered and as a guide for managing relationships with clients; family members, and others in the support team; other health care practitioners; and the public. This code supplements laws, codes, and professional practice standards.

ADVOCACY: Comfort Keepers has the responsibility to help improve the awareness, accessibility, and quality of our services by advocating on behalf of our clients.  Comfort Keepers will seek internal and external guidance for situations that could place the organization and its clients at risk.

CLIENT AND EMPLOYEE SAFETY: Comfort Keepers recognizes that the community setting represents a unique environment for health sector employees.  Comfort Keepers will take available steps to assess and minimize risk to clients while being sensitive to their wishes. Comfort Keepers will also take necessary measures to ensure the personal safety of employees. Safety concerns of both clients and employees will be reported and addressed in a supportive and non-threatening way. After all, factors have been considered; Comfort Keepers may withdraw services if employee safety is compromised.

COMMITMENT TO QUALITY SERVICES: Comfort Keepers is committed to providing the highest quality services that will benefit our clients within their available resources.

CONFIDENTIALITY: Client information is confidential. Comfort Keepers will adhere to the confidential management of client information and Protected Health Information in compliance with provincial and PIPEDA regulations. Comfort Keepers will ensure that clients and their legal substitutes are informed of their rights to consent to sharing the necessary information with individuals and organizations directly involved in the client’s care.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: No Comfort Keepers owner, employee, or sub-contracted supplier will compromise services to our clients for the benefit of the organization or individual.

DIGNITY: Comfort Keepers will demonstrate profound respect for human dignity in all our interactions.  We will be responsive and sensitive to diversity among our clients, employees, and the community.

FAIR AND EQUITABLE ACCESS: Comfort Keepers believes that each individual is entitled to an unbiased assessment of their needs. Comfort Keepers will ensure that services are provided based solely on the client’s needs, regardless of income, age, gender, ethnicity or race, physical or mental ability, or any other factors such as diverse behaviors or lifestyles.

HEALTH AND WELL BEING:  Comfort Keepers will use a holistic approach to clients’ healthcare needs acknowledging all things important to them in their community.

INFORMED CHOICE AND EMPOWERMENT: Comfort Keepers believe that most individuals have the ability and the right to make decisions about their health.  Comfort Keepers will assist clients in creating care home care plans and life choices in keeping with the client’s values, beliefs, and healthcare goals. Comfort Keepers will ensure that clients are fully informed of their options and have the information needed to make informed decisions about their health and care.  Following due process, if the client is determined to be incapable of making these decisions, we will take directions from the client’s legal substitute.

RELATIONSHIPS AMONG COMMUNITY AGENCIES:  Comfort Keepers fully appreciate the complexity and need for coordination that can often arise in the care of a client.  We agree to respect each organization’s role and to work together in the spirit of collaboration to maximize the effectiveness of client services, regardless of any potential competitive aspect of the relationship.