How to Find Home Care Services in Canada: A Complete Guide

Quick answer: To find home care in Canada, first identify the type of support needed (personal, companion, caregiver or professional health services), then decide between publicly funded care (arranged through your provincial health system) and private-pay care. Prepare a short summary of needs, availability and location, and reach out to providers or a care-connection service like Bethel Care Connects to explore your options.

What does home care mean?

Home care is a broad term for support that helps a person live safely and comfortably in their own home rather than in a facility. It ranges from help with everyday tasks and companionship through to professional health services delivered at home.

In Canada, home care is delivered through a mix of publicly funded programs and private providers. The specific services, names and eligibility rules vary by province and territory, because health care is administered provincially.

Who may benefit from home care?

Home care can help many different people, not only older adults. Families commonly explore home care when a loved one needs a hand with daily life, is recovering after a hospital stay, lives with a disability or chronic condition, or when a family caregiver needs support to keep providing care sustainably.

• Older adults who want to remain independent at home
• People recovering from illness, surgery or a hospital stay
• Individuals living with a disability or ongoing health condition
• Family caregivers who need respite or extra help
• Anyone who would benefit from companionship and a safer daily routine

Common types of home care and support

Personal support

Personal support helps with everyday personal routines such as bathing, dressing, grooming, mobility and transfers. It is often provided by Personal Support Workers (PSWs) or similarly trained support workers and is planned around the individual's preferences and dignity.

Companion support

Companion support focuses on connection — conversation, shared activities, outings and simply being present. It can reduce isolation and give families reassurance that a loved one has regular, caring contact.

Caregiver support

Caregiver support helps the family members who provide unpaid care. This can include respite (short breaks), guidance and practical help so caregivers can rest and avoid burnout.

Nursing and other professional health services

Some needs require regulated health professionals — for example nursing care, wound care or therapy. These services are provided by licensed professionals within their scope of practice, and are often coordinated through the public system or specialized private providers.

Publicly funded vs private-pay home care

Publicly funded home care is arranged through your province's health system, usually after an assessment of needs. It may be provided at no direct cost for eligible services, but the amount and type of support is determined by the program and can involve wait times.

Private-pay home care is arranged directly with a provider and paid for privately (sometimes with the help of insurance or benefits). It typically offers more flexibility in scheduling and the hours available, but the family covers the cost.

Many families use a combination — publicly funded services for certain needs and private support to fill gaps such as additional hours, companionship or respite.

How the process generally works in Canada

While the details differ by province, the path is broadly similar:

• Identify needs — what help is required, how often, and where.
• Explore public options — contact your provincial home care program for an assessment (for example, in Ontario this is coordinated through Ontario Health atHome; you can start with Health811).
• Explore private and community options — providers, community organizations and care-connection services.
• Compare providers — qualifications, matching, scheduling, communication and cost.
• Start support and review — begin care, then check in and adjust the plan over time.

Why services and eligibility vary by province

Because each province and territory administers its own health system, the programs, eligibility criteria and even the terminology differ. In Ontario, for example, publicly funded home and community care is coordinated provincially, and long-term care is overseen by the Ministry of Long-Term Care. In British Columbia, home and community care is delivered through regional health authorities. Always confirm details with your own province's official source.

What families should consider before choosing a provider

• The specific needs and preferences of the person receiving care
• Whether professional (regulated) health services are required
• How care professionals are screened, trained and matched
• Scheduling, availability and what happens if a worker is unavailable
• Communication — who to contact and how updates are shared
• Cost, billing and any minimum hours (for private care)

How to search for care services near you

Start local. Search using clear terms such as "home care near me" or "personal support in [your community]," contact your provincial program, and ask trusted sources — family physicians, hospital discharge planners and community organizations — for guidance. A care-connection service can also help you understand your options and connect you with care and support professionals.

What information to prepare before contacting a provider

• Who the support is for and their general situation
• The kind of help needed (personal, companion, caregiver, professional)
• Preferred days, times and approximate hours
• Location and any accessibility or safety considerations
• Important preferences, routines and languages
• Any timeline — when support is needed to begin

When a family may need additional professional advice

If the person has complex medical needs, rapidly changing health, or you are unsure what level of care is appropriate, seek advice from a qualified health professional or your provincial program. Home care is one part of a wider system, and a professional assessment helps ensure the right kind of support.