Home Care Guide

How home care is structured in Ontario - and what to expect before care begins.

What goes into a care plan, what's included from day one, and how private care compares to publicly funded options.

Every care plan starts with your situation - not a template

There's no standard package. Every family's needs are different, and the care plan should reflect that. At Aviora, we build each plan around what your family actually needs - not what's easiest to schedule.

During a free consultation, we assess:

  • The level of support your loved one needs (personal care, companionship, dementia support, overnight coverage)
  • The number of hours per week and preferred schedule
  • Whether care is ongoing, short-term, or post-hospital
  • Your location within Ontario (urban, suburban, or rural)
  • Any urgency - planned transition or crisis response

This allows us to create a structured plan that matches the actual situation - without over-building or cutting corners.

What shapes your care plan

Type of care

Not all home care requires the same level of training or expertise. The type of service directly affects how the plan is structured:

  • Companionship care - Conversation, errands, engagement, light supervision. Focused on reducing isolation and maintaining independence.
  • Personal support (PSW services) - Bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, mobility assistance. Requires trained personal support workers.
  • Dementia care - Routine-based support for clients with Alzheimer's or cognitive conditions. Consistency is critical - same caregiver, same routine, every visit.
  • Overnight and respite care - Extended shifts, overnight coverage, and weekend blocks for family caregiver relief.
  • Palliative care - End-of-life support requiring specialized experience, emotional resilience, and close coordination with the family.

Schedule and frequency

Care can range from a few hours per week to full 24-hour live-in coverage. Your plan is built around the schedule that makes sense for your family - not what fits most conveniently into our roster. Whether it's morning routines three days a week or nightly overnight shifts, the schedule is confirmed before care starts.

Location

Aviora serves 120+ communities across Ontario, including rural and remote areas. For families outside urban centres, travel time and logistics are built into the plan from day one. We confirm whether we can reliably serve your area during consultation - not after you've committed.

Urgency

Post-hospital discharge, a sudden change in condition, or a family caregiver in crisis - each scenario requires a different approach. For urgent situations, call (437) 446-7752 directly. Most families have care in place within 24-48 hours.

What's included in every Aviora care plan

Every plan includes:

  • Assigned primary caregiver (same person, every visit)
  • Written care plan reviewed before care starts
  • Caregiver screening: criminal record check, vulnerable sector screening, reference verification, credential confirmation
  • After-visit updates sent to family
  • Dedicated care coordinator - one point of contact
  • Schedule management and backup coverage
  • Liability insurance coverage

No setup fees. No contracts. No minimum commitment. No cancellation penalties.

OHIP-funded vs. private home care: what's the real difference?

OHIP-funded (Ontario Health atHome) Private (e.g. Aviora)
Referral required Yes (doctor or hospital) No
Wait time Weeks to months 24-48 hours
Same caregiver Not guaranteed Guaranteed (at Aviora)
Hours per week Limited (often 2-6 hours) Flexible (you choose)
Scheduling control Agency assigns times You choose the schedule
Visit updates Rarely provided After every visit
Contracts Government managed None - cancel anytime

Many families use both: OHIP-funded care for basic coverage and private care to fill the gaps - especially for consistency, overnight support, or when public hours aren't enough.

What happens during a consultation

A 20-30 minute call. No intake queue, no application. Here's what we cover:

  1. Understand your situation. Who needs care, what kind of support, how often, and your location.
  2. Recommend what's actually needed. We don't over-build plans. If companionship care is enough, we say so - even if personal support generates more revenue.
  3. Build the care plan. Written scope, schedule, caregiver requirements, and what's included. You review everything.
  4. Match a caregiver. Based on qualifications, personality, geographic availability, and your family's preferences.

No pressure. No commitment. If Aviora isn't the right fit, we'll tell you during the call - not after you've signed something.

Is home care tax deductible in Ontario?

Yes, home care expenses may qualify for tax benefits in Ontario:

  • Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) - Home care may qualify as eligible medical expenses on your federal return
  • Ontario Medical Expense Tax Credit - Provincial equivalent that provides additional relief
  • Disability Tax Credit - If the care recipient qualifies, attendant care costs may be claimed
  • Canada Caregiver Credit - Available to family members who support a dependant with a physical or mental impairment

Aviora provides clear invoices and documentation that families can use for tax filing. Consult your accountant or tax professional for eligibility.

Get a clear care plan for your situation

Every family's situation is different. During a free consultation, we walk through the full scope of your care plan - level of support, schedule, caregiver match, and exactly what's included. You'll know everything before care begins.

Book a Free Consultation Call (437) 446-7752

No referral required. No commitment. No pressure.

Frequently asked questions

What's included in a private home care plan?

At Aviora, every plan includes an assigned primary caregiver, a written care plan, after-visit updates, a dedicated coordinator, full caregiver screening, schedule management, backup coverage, and liability insurance. No setup fees, no contracts, no cancellation penalties.

How is a care plan built?

During a free consultation, we assess your situation - level of support, schedule, location, and urgency. A written plan is then created, a caregiver matched, and the schedule confirmed. You review everything before care begins.

Does OHIP cover home care?

OHIP funds limited home care through Ontario Health atHome (formerly LHIN/CCAC). However, coverage typically involves long wait times, limited weekly hours, no caregiver choice, and frequent staff rotation. Many families use a combination of publicly funded and private care.

Can I claim home care on my taxes?

Yes. Home care expenses may qualify for the Medical Expense Tax Credit, the Disability Tax Credit, or the Canada Caregiver Credit. Aviora provides clear invoices for tax filing. Consult your tax professional for eligibility.

Not sure what level of care is needed?

Free consultation. Clear care plan. No hidden fees, no contracts, no pressure. Care starts in 24-48 hours.