The two types of home care in Ontario

Understanding home care costs in Ontario starts with understanding the distinction between publicly funded care and private care. Most families end up using both — and knowing how they fit together is the most useful thing to understand before talking about numbers.

Publicly Funded Care
Ontario Health atHome
  • No cost to the individual if eligible
  • Coordinated by a Care Coordinator after referral
  • Includes nursing, PSW hours, and some therapy
  • Hours allocated based on assessed need and available funding
  • May not fully cover what the situation requires, particularly for complex conditions
  • May not begin immediately after a hospital discharge
  • Scheduling is set by the funded provider, not the family
Private Care
Arcadia Home Care
  • Paid by the family or through insurance/benefits
  • No wait for eligibility assessment to begin
  • Hours, schedule, and scope set around actual need
  • Same caregiver, consistent visits
  • Can often start more quickly than publicly funded care
  • Fills gaps left by publicly funded care
  • Can be used alongside public care, not instead of it

Most families who use Arcadia are also receiving some publicly funded care through Ontario Health atHome. The two systems work alongside each other — public funding covers what it covers, and private care fills the gaps in hours, scheduling flexibility, and the specific type of support required.

What Ontario Health atHome actually provides

Ontario Health atHome (formerly known as the Local Health Integration Network Home and Community Care) coordinates publicly funded home care for eligible Ontarians. A referral can come from a family physician, specialist, hospital discharge team, or the family directly. A Care Coordinator then assesses the person and determines what funded services are appropriate.

Funded services can include nursing visits, personal support worker hours for assistance with daily activities, and some occupational therapy or physiotherapy. The hours allocated vary considerably based on the assessed level of need and the funding available in the local region — and they are often lower than what the situation realistically requires, particularly for complex conditions like dementia or acquired brain injury.

If you are not already connected to Ontario Health atHome and think you may be eligible, a referral through your family physician is the typical starting point. Arcadia can help you understand how the system works and what to expect from the assessment process.

Other funding sources worth knowing about

Beyond Ontario Health atHome, several other funding sources may cover some or all of private home care costs for eligible individuals:

Auto Insurance
Statutory Accident Benefits (SABS)
Individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents in Ontario may be entitled to attendant care benefits under the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule. These can fund private home care — including PSW and RSW support — for eligible clients. The process involves a Form 1 assessment and insurer approval. Arcadia is familiar with SABS documentation requirements.
Workplace Injury
WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board)
Workers injured on the job may be entitled to home care benefits through WSIB. Arcadia works with WSIB-funded clients and provides the documentation and service records the Board requires.
Veterans
Veterans Affairs Canada
Eligible veterans may receive funding for home care and home maintenance support through Veterans Affairs Canada. The level of funding depends on the veteran's service history and assessed needs. Arcadia has provided care for veterans and is familiar with the program requirements.
Extended Health Benefits
Employer or Private Health Insurance
Some extended health benefit plans through employers or private insurers include coverage for home care services. The scope varies widely between plans. We recommend checking your specific policy — look for "home care," "attendant care," or "nursing services" in the coverage details.
Tax Relief
Medical Expense Tax Credit
Private home care costs paid out of pocket may be eligible as medical expenses for the purposes of the federal and provincial Medical Expense Tax Credit. This does not reduce the upfront cost but may reduce annual tax liability. A tax professional can advise on what qualifies.

What private home care from Arcadia costs

A note on published rates

Arcadia does not publish fixed hourly rates on this page because rates vary based on the type of worker required, the complexity of care, the hours and schedule involved, and periodic adjustments to reflect changes in staffing costs. A rate listed today may not be accurate in six months.

What we will do during a first conversation is give you a clear, honest picture of what care for your specific situation would cost — before you commit to anything. We do not believe in vague estimates or in surprises on the first invoice.

That said, here are the factors that determine cost — which helps families think through what to ask about before calling:

Type of worker
PSW rates and RSW rates differ. RSW support for rehabilitation is typically higher than personal support care.
Hours and schedule
Daytime rates, evening rates, and overnight flat rates are typically different. Weekend rates may differ from weekday rates.
Complexity of care
Clients with complex conditions — dementia, ABI, palliative — require more experienced caregivers, which is reflected in the rate.
Frequency and consistency
Regular scheduled visits and consistent caregivers are factored into the overall arrangement. Ad hoc or last-minute requests may be priced differently.
Minimum visit length
Most home care arrangements have a minimum visit length — typically two to three hours — which affects the minimum cost per visit.
Publicly funded hours available
If Ontario Health atHome is already providing funded PSW hours, private care fills the remaining gap — which affects how many private hours are actually needed.

Want a clearer picture of what care would cost?

A first conversation with our team gives you honest, specific information about costs for your situation — before you commit to anything. No vague ranges, no obligation.

(844) 977-0050Book a Consultation

Frequently asked questions about home care costs

Is OHIP covering my home care?
OHIP does not directly fund private home care. Publicly funded home care is coordinated through Ontario Health atHome, not through OHIP. If you are receiving funded care through Ontario Health atHome, that is separate from OHIP — it is funded through the provincial home and community care budget. Private home care from Arcadia is not covered by OHIP.
My parent was just discharged from hospital. Will they get funded home care automatically?
Not automatically. A discharge from hospital typically triggers a referral to Ontario Health atHome, but the process takes time and the hours allocated may not begin immediately. Many families use private care to bridge the gap between discharge and the start of funded services, or to supplement funded hours that do not fully cover the need. Arcadia can start within days of a first conversation.
We cannot afford full private coverage. What are our options?
Several options are worth exploring: maximizing publicly funded hours through Ontario Health atHome, checking whether any insurance or benefit coverage applies, and using private care selectively for the hours and tasks where it makes the biggest difference. A care assessment helps identify where private support would have the most impact with the fewest hours — so families are not paying for more than they need.
Does Arcadia charge for the initial assessment?
Please ask us about assessment costs when you call — we are happy to explain how it works before you commit to anything. We are happy to clarify this and answer any other questions about costs when you call.
How does billing work?
Arcadia invoices on a regular schedule — typically bi-weekly — based on the hours of care provided. We provide itemized invoices. For families using insurance funding, we handle the documentation and billing process in coordination with the insurer or case manager.
Can we start with a small number of hours and increase later?
Yes. Many care arrangements start with a limited number of hours — a few mornings a week, or a single visit to try the arrangement — and expand as the family's comfort and the person's needs develop. We are happy to discuss what a realistic starting point looks like when you call.