How to choose home care in Ontario

Choosing home care usually happens under pressure: after a fall, a hospital stay or a worrying phone call. A few clear steps make the decision less overwhelming and help you compare options fairly.

1. Be clear about what’s needed

Write down what a typical day looks like and where help would make the biggest difference: getting up and dressed, bathing, meals, medications, company, nights. Note anything that needs a nurse rather than a personal support worker, such as wound care or giving medications.

2. Start with publicly funded care

Ontario Health atHome arranges publicly funded home care. Call 310-2222 to ask what may be available. Public hours are often limited, and many families add private care to fill the gaps.

3. Compare private providers on the things that matter

• How caregivers are screened: are certificates and nursing registrations checked at the source, and are references actually called?
• How you’ll know visits happened, and who you call if something changes.
• Whether you’ll see a small, consistent group of caregivers.
• How rates work, and whether your rate is confirmed in writing before care starts.
• Whether they can help you understand what your health benefits may need.

4. Start small and review

You don’t have to plan everything at once. Many families begin with a few visits a week, see what works, and adjust. A good provider will review the plan with you as needs change.