Guide for families · checked at source on 9 October 2026

Home care in Ontario: what’s covered, and how to get it.

Most people want to stay at home as long as they can, and the right help makes that possible. Start with what Ontario may already cover, then top it up privately if you need to. Here is how.

How to start

General information for Ontario, not medical advice. Every fact links to the page it comes from.

Start with the public assessment

In Ontario, publicly funded care at home is arranged by Ontario Health atHome. Call 1-833-515-1234 to reach the office nearest you, or, if the person is in hospital, ask for the hospital’s Ontario Health atHome care coordinator before discharge.

A care coordinator works out what type and level of service fits the person’s needs. Depending on that assessment, Ontario Health atHome can arrange:

  • nursing
  • personal support, such as help with bathing and dressing
  • physiotherapy and occupational therapy
  • speech therapy and nutritional counselling
  • social work
  • medical supplies and equipment

Ontario says some of these home and community services are government funded, some require a client co-payment, and others are offered by private companies for a fee. Ontario Health atHome doesn’t usually provide general housekeeping, but can help you find it in your community.

Private care should top up public care, not replace it. Get the assessment first, even if you plan to hire privately too.

The kinds of care, in plain words

  • Companion care: meals, errands, company and light housekeeping, with no hands-on personal care.
  • Personal support worker (PSW): help with bathing, dressing, the toilet, moving safely and reminders to take medicines.
  • Nursing: for things like wound care, injections and more complex conditions.
  • Respite care: a scheduled break for a family caregiver. Book it before you’re exhausted, not after.

Hiring privately: the questions to ask an agency

  1. Are your caregivers employees or contractors?
  2. What screening do you do: a vulnerable sector police check, references, and checking certificates?
  3. Will we have the same caregiver each time, and what happens when they’re sick?
  4. What is the minimum shift, and the true hourly rate for evenings, weekends and holidays?
  5. Who supervises the caregiver, and how often?
  6. If the personality isn’t a fit, how fast can we change caregivers?
  7. What is the cancellation policy, for one shift and for the contract?
  8. Can hours go up quickly after a hospital stay?
  9. Is there a written care plan, and how often is it reviewed with the family?
  10. Are you insured and bonded, and can we see proof? Can we call two families you work with?

Four red flags

  • Cash only, or not wanting to put rates in writing.
  • No supervision: a caregiver is simply sent.
  • Pressure to sign a long contract on the first call.
  • Vague answers about screening or insurance.

Any one of these is reason enough to politely end the conversation.

The money

Private rates vary a lot, and many agencies have a minimum shift of a few hours. Ask for the all-in monthly figure for your actual schedule, in writing. Keep every invoice: some care costs may be claimable as medical expenses at tax time, so ask your accountant. People 70 and over may be able to claim the Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit on eligible medical expenses; our Benefits Finder shows it and the other programs worth checking.

For caregivers paying for private help, the Ontario Caregiver Organization has information and a helpline, 1-833-416-2273.

Common questions

Is home care free in Ontario?
Some of it. Ontario Health atHome assesses each person and arranges publicly funded care for those who qualify. Ontario says some home and community services are government funded, some require a client co-payment, and others are offered by private companies for a fee.
How do I get home care for my parent in Ontario?
Call Ontario Health atHome at 1-833-515-1234, or if your parent is in hospital, ask for the hospital’s Ontario Health atHome care coordinator before discharge. A care coordinator assesses their needs and arranges the services they qualify for.
What can Ontario Health atHome provide?
Depending on the assessment: nursing, personal support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nutritional counselling, social work, and medical supplies and equipment, with a care coordinator to organize it.
What is the difference between a PSW and companion care?
A personal support worker helps with personal care such as bathing, dressing, the toilet and moving safely. Companion care covers meals, errands, company and light housekeeping, without hands-on personal care.
What should I ask a private home care agency?
Whether caregivers are employees, how they are screened, whether you get the same caregiver, the minimum shift and real hourly rates, who supervises, how fast you can change caregivers, the cancellation policy, and proof of insurance. Ask to speak to two families they work with.
Can home care costs be claimed on taxes?
Some care costs may be claimable as medical expenses, and people 70 and over may qualify for the Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit. Keep every invoice and ask your accountant.

More to read