Key takeaways
- The biggest cost drivers are the type of caregiver, the number of hours and the time of day.
- Evenings, overnights, weekends and statutory holidays usually cost more than weekday daytime visits.
- Most agencies set a minimum visit length. Ours is 4 hours.
- Care approved by Ontario Health atHome is publicly funded, so you don't pay for those services. Private care fills the gaps.
- Eligible seniors aged 70 and over can claim the Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit, worth up to $1,500 a year.
1. What decides the cost of home care?
When families ask what home care costs, the honest answer is "it depends on the plan". These are the factors that move the price the most:
- The type of caregiver. A personal support worker (PSW) helps with bathing, dressing, meals and mobility. A nurse provides clinical care such as wound care or injections and costs more per hour. Companionship-only visits are usually the most affordable. Our guide to PSW vs nurse care explains who does what.
- How many hours you need. A few visits a week costs far less than daily care. Many families start small and add hours as needs change.
- When visits happen. Weekday daytime hours are the baseline. Evenings, overnights, weekends and statutory holidays often carry a higher rate.
- The minimum visit length. Most agencies set one, because a caregiver can't travel across the city for a 30-minute visit. Ours is 4 hours, which also leaves time for unhurried personal care and company.
- How complex the care is. Advanced dementia, two-person transfers, a mechanical lift or frequent overnight waking can change the plan and the price.
- Overnight and 24-hour care. Care around the clock is the largest commitment. Whether the caregiver sleeps or stays awake overnight makes a big difference. See 24-hour home care.
- Short-notice starts. A same-week start after a hospital stay is possible, but planning ahead gives you more choice of caregiver and schedule.
2. Hourly visits, overnight care or 24-hour care?
The pattern of care matters as much as the hourly rate. Here is how the three common patterns compare:
| Best for | What to ask | |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime visits | Help with bathing, meals, errands and company a few times a week | The minimum visit length, and whether visits can be grouped on fewer days |
| Overnight care | Night-time wandering, toileting at night, or a family carer who needs sleep | Is the caregiver awake all night, or resting and available if needed? |
| 24-hour care | High fall risk, advanced dementia, recovery after major surgery, end of life | Shift caregivers or live-in, and how breaks and handovers work |
If you are weighing round-the-clock care against a move, our comparison of 24-hour home care and long-term care homes walks through care, cost and daily life side by side.
3. What funding can lower the cost?
Ontario families often combine public services, tax credits and private care. Check what you may be eligible for before you decide how many private hours to book.
- Ontario Health atHome. Publicly funded home care is arranged through Ontario Health atHome. Anyone can make a referral, including you, by calling 310-2222 (no area code). A care coordinator assesses needs and decides which services and hours are funded. Our guide to Ontario Health atHome vs private home care explains how the two work together.
- Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit. A refundable credit for seniors aged 70 and over (or with a spouse that age). It is worth 25% of up to $6,000 in eligible medical expenses, so up to $1,500 a year, and it is reduced for family net incomes above about $35,000. You claim it on your tax return. Check the current rules on the Government of Ontario's website, as amounts can change.
- Federal medical expense tax credit. Some attendant care costs can qualify, depending on your situation. Ask a tax professional what you can claim, and keep every invoice.
- Veterans' benefits. Eligible veterans may get help with personal care and housekeeping through Veterans Affairs Canada.
- Insurance and workplace benefits. Some private health, long-term care and travel insurance plans cover home care after an injury or hospital stay. Check the policy wording before care starts.
4. How to get a home care quote you can compare
Quotes are only comparable if they cover the same things. Ask every agency for these in writing:
- Rates for every time slotWeekday daytime, evenings, overnights, weekends and statutory holidays.
- The minimum visit lengthAnd whether it changes on weekends or holidays.
- What is includedPersonal care, light housekeeping, meal preparation, errands and companionship.
- Extra chargesMileage for errands or appointments, short-notice bookings, and two-caregiver visits.
- The cancellation policyHow much notice you need to give to change or cancel a visit.
- Contracts and billingAny minimum commitment, deposit, notice period, and how often you are billed.
Our guide on how to choose a home care agency has the full list of questions to ask before you sign anything.
5. Ways to keep home care costs manageable
- Use public and private care together. Let funded visits cover the basics, then add private hours where the gaps are.
- Group tasks into fewer, longer visits. One 4-hour visit can cover a bath, lunch, laundry and an outing.
- Book regular respite instead of emergency cover. Planned respite care is easier to schedule than last-minute help when a family carer is exhausted.
- Look at day programs. Adult day programs in many GTA communities offer activities, meals and supervision, often with subsidies.
- Review the plan every few months. Needs change. A good agency will reduce hours when someone recovers, not just add them.
6. How pricing works at Artistic Home Care
We don't publish one price because no two care plans are the same. Instead, every plan starts with a free, no-obligation in-home consult and an assessment by our registered nurse. We then give you a clear written quote for the schedule you choose.
Visits start at 4 hours, and we are available 24/7. We offer senior home care, PSW services, companionship care and 24-hour care across Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan and the rest of the GTA. To talk through costs for your family, book a free consult or call 437-985-6225.
Frequently asked questions
Is home care covered by OHIP?
Home care arranged through Ontario Health atHome is publicly funded, so you don't pay for the services you are approved for. The number of hours is based on assessed need and is often limited, which is why many families add private care.
Why do home care agencies have a minimum visit length?
Caregivers travel to each home, so very short visits aren't practical. A longer visit also means care isn't rushed. Our minimum visit is 4 hours.
Does home care cost more on weekends and holidays?
At many agencies, yes. Ask for weekend, overnight and statutory holiday rates in writing before care starts so there are no surprises.
Can I claim home care costs on my taxes?
Possibly. Eligible seniors 70 and over can claim the Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit, and some attendant care costs qualify for the federal medical expense tax credit. Keep every invoice and ask a tax professional.
Cover photo: Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
Published 19 October 2026 · Last updated 19 October 2026
