Key takeaways
- 24-hour home care keeps someone in their own home with caregivers on shifts or living in.
- Long-term care homes provide 24-hour nursing and personal care in a licensed residence.
- Applications for long-term care go through Ontario Health atHome, and there is often a wait.
- In long-term care, residents pay a monthly accommodation co-payment set by the province.
- Many families use home care while waiting for a long-term care bed.
1. What is 24-hour home care?
24-hour home care means a caregiver is in the home day and night. It is usually arranged in one of two ways:
- Shift care: two 12-hour or three 8-hour shifts, with caregivers awake and working throughout. Best when night-time needs are frequent.
- Live-in care: a caregiver lives in the home, with set rest periods and a private place to sleep. Suits people who mostly sleep through the night.
A nurse oversees the plan, and the caregiver helps with personal care, mobility, meals, medication reminders, supervision and company. See 24-hour home care.
2. What is a long-term care home?
Long-term care homes in Ontario are licensed residences for adults who need 24-hour nursing and personal care. To apply, contact Ontario Health atHome (310-2222). A care coordinator assesses eligibility and helps you choose homes, and there is often a wait for a bed.
The province funds the care, and residents pay an accommodation co-payment. From July 1, 2026, the maximum monthly co-payment is $2,129.17 for basic, $2,567.17 for semi-private and $3,041.97 for private accommodation. People with lower incomes can apply for a rate reduction on basic accommodation. Check the Government of Ontario's long-term care page for current amounts.
3. 24-hour home care and long-term care side by side
| 24-hour home care | Long-term care home | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Your own home | A licensed residence |
| Who provides care | One or a few consistent caregivers, nurse-supervised | A rotating team of nurses and PSWs for many residents |
| One-to-one time | All day | Shared with other residents |
| Cost | Paid privately, apart from any funded hours | Care is publicly funded; residents pay a monthly co-payment |
| Access | Can usually start quickly | Apply through Ontario Health atHome; often a waitlist |
| Daily life | Own routine, food, pets, visitors and neighbourhood | Home's routine, with activities and company on site |
| Medical needs | Suits most needs with nursing support | On-site nursing for complex needs |
Because 24-hour home care is privately paid, it costs much more each month than a long-term care co-payment. Our guide to what affects the cost of home care in Ontario explains the factors, including shift and live-in patterns.
4. When 24-hour home care may be the better fit
- Your loved one strongly wants to stay at home, and home can be made safe.
- Familiar surroundings matter, for example with dementia, where a move can be distressing. See our dementia daily routine guide.
- Language, food, faith or a spouse at home make one-to-one care especially valuable.
- Care is needed now, or for a period of weeks, such as after surgery or at the end of life.
- The family can fund care, possibly alongside public services. Read Ontario Health atHome vs private home care.
5. When a long-term care home may be the better fit
- Complex medical needs require nursing around the clock.
- Home can't be adapted safely, for example stairs everywhere and no main-floor bathroom.
- Private 24-hour care isn't affordable over the long term.
- Your loved one would enjoy more company and on-site activities.
6. Using home care while you wait for long-term care
Many families apply for long-term care and arrange home care in the meantime. This keeps your loved one safe at home, gives the family a break, and avoids a rushed decision in a crisis. Tell your Ontario Health atHome care coordinator if needs increase while you wait.
7. 24-hour home care with Artistic Home Care
We provide 24-hour home care planned by our registered nurse, with consistent caregivers on shifts so someone is always awake and available. We support people with fall risk, dementia, recovery after hospital and those who want to stay home at the end of life. Our caregivers speak English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.
Every plan starts with a free, no-obligation in-home consult. We serve Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham and the wider GTA. Call 437-985-6225 any time, or book a consult. You can also start with senior home care for a few hours and build up.
Frequently asked questions
Is 24-hour home care cheaper than a long-term care home?
Usually not. In a long-term care home the care itself is publicly funded and residents pay a monthly co-payment, while 24-hour home care is mostly paid privately. Many families choose home care for other reasons: comfort, one-to-one attention and staying together.
How do I apply for a long-term care home in Ontario?
Contact Ontario Health atHome at 310-2222. A care coordinator will assess eligibility and help you choose homes.
What is the difference between live-in and 24-hour shift care?
A live-in caregiver lives in the home with rest periods and sleep. Shift care uses caregivers who are awake and working throughout their shift, which suits people who need help at night.
Can we start with fewer hours and move to 24-hour care later?
Yes. Many families start with a few 4-hour visits a week and increase care as needs change.
Cover photo: Jose Manuel Esp on Unsplash
Published 19 October 2026 · Last updated 19 October 2026
