Key takeaways
- Decide first what kind of help you need: personal care, company, dementia support, recovery after hospital, or overnight care.
- Publicly funded home care through Ontario Health atHome costs nothing for eligible care, but hours are limited. Private agencies fill the gaps.
- Ask every agency the same 12 questions so you can compare them fairly.
- Get the rate, the minimum visit length and the cancellation terms in writing before care starts.
- A good agency assesses needs first, ideally with a nurse, and gives you a written care plan.
1. Start with the kind of care you need
Before you call anyone, write down a typical day for your loved one and mark the moments where help is needed. Then match those moments to a type of care:
- Personal care: bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming and safe transfers. This is the core work of a personal support worker (PSW).
- Companionship and household help: meals, laundry, errands, conversation and outings.
- Dementia support: calm routines, supervision and a consistent caregiver. See dementia care at home.
- Recovery after hospital: short-term help with mobility, meals and medication reminders. Our hospital discharge checklist helps you plan it.
- Respite: regular breaks for the family member who usually provides care. See how respite care helps.
- Overnight or 24-hour care: for high fall risk, advanced dementia or the weeks after surgery.
Clinical tasks such as wound care, injections or managing complex medications are done by nurses. A PSW can help with reminders and daily living, not nursing procedures. Read more in PSW vs nurse: who does what at home?
2. Public or private home care?
In Ontario, publicly funded home care is coordinated by Ontario Health atHome. You can ask your doctor or hospital for a referral, or call 310-2222 (no area code). A care coordinator assesses needs and decides how many hours are funded.
Private agencies are paid directly by the family. Many families use both: funded hours for the basics, plus private hours for evenings, weekends, longer visits or extra company. Our guide to Ontario Health atHome vs private home care explains how to combine them.
| Ontario Health atHome | Private agency | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | No cost for eligible care | Paid privately; ask for a written quote |
| How to start | Referral, or call 310-2222 | Call the agency directly |
| Hours | Based on assessed need, often limited | As many as you choose, above a minimum visit |
| Timing | Depends on assessment and availability | Depends on the agency; ask how soon they can start |
| Choice of caregiver | Assigned by the provider | More say in matching and schedule |
3. Twelve questions to ask every agency
Ask each agency the same questions and note the answers side by side.
- Who assesses my loved one and writes the care plan?Look for an in-home assessment, ideally by a nurse, and a written plan you can read.
- How do you screen caregivers?Ask about PSW certificates, references and a police vulnerable sector check.
- Are caregivers employees, and are they insured?Ask about liability insurance and WSIB coverage.
- Will we see the same caregiver?Consistency builds trust, and it matters most in dementia care.
- What happens if the caregiver is sick?Ask how a replacement is arranged and how you will be told.
- Can you match language and culture?Ask which languages caregivers speak, and whether food and faith routines can be respected.
- What is the minimum visit length?Most agencies set one, so a two-hour visit may not be possible.
- What are the rates for weekdays, evenings, weekends and holidays?Get them in writing before care starts.
- Is there a contract or notice period?Ask how to pause, change or end care.
- How will you keep the family updated?Visit notes, calls or an app: agree on it at the start.
- Who answers the phone at 2 a.m.?Care needs do not keep office hours.
- Can I read reviews from local families?Check independent Google reviews, not just testimonials on the agency's website.
4. Red flags to walk away from
- Care starts with no assessment and no written plan.
- Vague answers about screening or insurance.
- No written rates, or extra fees that appear later.
- Pressure to sign a long contract on the first call.
- Cash-only payments with no receipts.
- No one to call after hours.
5. How to check credentials in Ontario
- Nurses: search the College of Nurses of Ontario's public register (Find a Nurse) by name.
- PSWs: Ontario's Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority keeps a public register of PSWs. Ask whether caregivers are registered, and ask to see their PSW certificate.
- Reviews: read Google reviews and look at how the agency responds to them.
6. How Artistic Home Care answers these questions
We start every plan with a free, no-obligation in-home consult and an assessment by our registered nurse. We match qualified PSWs to each client's needs, preferences and schedule, and our caregivers speak English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. Visits start at 4 hours, we are available 24/7, and every plan can include optional art therapy with a wellness art therapist.
We provide home care across the GTA, including Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan and Markham. See all areas we serve.
Frequently asked questions
How much does home care cost in Toronto?
It depends on the type of care, the number of hours and the time of day. Ask each agency for a written quote that includes evening, weekend and holiday rates. Read what affects the cost of home care in Ontario. We give you a clear quote after the free consult.
How quickly can home care start?
It depends on the agency's availability and how complex the needs are. If a hospital discharge is coming, call agencies before the discharge date so a plan is ready.
Can we use public and private home care together?
Yes. Many families add private hours on top of care funded through Ontario Health atHome.
Published 8 October 2026 · Last updated 19 October 2026
