Senior Helpers in Canada
A senior helper comes to an older adult's home to help with everyday life: companionship, meals, housekeeping, errands, getting to appointments, and personal care such as bathing and dressing. SeniorHome.ca lists 968 home care agencies in 189 Canadian cities and towns that provide senior helpers, from a few hours a week to live-in care.
Top-rated senior helpers in Canada
Fevia Caregiving Agency
Scarborough, ON
5.0Contact for pricing: (365) 298-0013
Lean On Me Senior Homecare
Maple Ridge, BC
5.0Contact for pricing: (236) 239-2909
Home Instead
Nanaimo, BC
5.0Contact for pricing: (236) 239-2909
Just Like Family Home Care Regina
Regina, SK
5.0Contact for pricing: (236) 239-2909
Right at Home Home Care - Georgian Triangle
Collingwood, ON
5.0Contact for pricing: (365) 298-0013
Just Like Family Home Care - Ottawa
Ottawa, ON
5.0Contact for pricing: (365) 298-0013
Earth Angels Home Care - South Shore
Bridgewater, NS
5.0Contact for pricing: (902) 201-2570
Living Assistance Services - Burloak Region
Burlington, ON
5.0Contact for pricing: (365) 298-0013
Big Hearts Home Care
New Westminster, BC
5.0Contact for pricing: (236) 239-2909
Earth Angels Home Care - New Glasgow
New Glasgow, NS
5.0Contact for pricing: (902) 201-2570
Nurse Next Door Home Care Services - Ancaster, ON
Hamilton, ON
5.0Contact for pricing: (365) 298-0013
Right at Home Canada - Chilliwack
Chilliwack, BC
5.0Contact for pricing: (236) 239-2909
Senior Helpers by province
Senior helpers in popular cities
What a senior helper does
Services depend on the agency and the helper's training. Most agencies offer:
- Companionship: conversation, walks, outings and a regular friendly visit
- Help around the home: light housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation
- Errands and transportation: groceries, pharmacy, medical appointments
- Personal care: bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting and help moving around safely, usually by a personal support worker (PSW)
- Medication reminders, and nursing care from agencies that employ nurses
- Respite: giving a family caregiver a few hours or days off
- Overnight and live-in care
Agency or private hire?
An agency screens, trains, insures and schedules its helpers, and sends a replacement when someone is sick. Hiring a helper privately can cost less per hour, but the family becomes the employer: checking references and a police check, payroll deductions, and finding backup cover.
Before choosing, ask the province about publicly funded home care. After an assessment by the local health authority (in Ontario, Ontario Health atHome), some personal support hours may be covered at no cost, and private hours can top them up.
How to choose a senior helper
Compare two or three agencies on the same points:
- Hourly rate, minimum visit length, and charges for evenings, weekends and holidays
- Whether helpers are employees or contractors, and how they're screened and trained (PSW certification, police and vulnerable sector checks)
- Whether you'll see the same helper each visit
- Who supervises care, and how the agency handles a missed visit or a complaint
- Experience with the person's needs, such as dementia, mobility or recovery after a hospital stay
When help at home is no longer enough
Home help works well while the home is safe and help is needed for part of the day. When care is needed around the clock, or many private hours a day cost more than a residence, families often look at assisted living, a retirement home with care, or long-term care.
Frequently asked questions
What is a senior helper?
A senior helper is a caregiver who comes to an older adult's home to help with companionship, meals, housekeeping, errands and transportation, and often personal care such as bathing and dressing. Most work for home care agencies; personal care is usually provided by a personal support worker (PSW).
How much do senior helpers cost in Canada?
Private home care is billed by the hour, and rates vary by province, city, the type of care and the time of day. Personal and nursing care cost more than companionship, and most agencies have a minimum visit length. Ask each agency for its rates in writing, and ask your health authority about publicly funded hours first.
Does the government pay for senior helpers?
Provinces fund some home care after an assessment by the local health authority, mostly personal support and nursing. Companionship and housekeeping are usually private-pay. Some attendant care costs may qualify for the federal Medical Expense Tax Credit.
Is Senior Helpers a company?
Senior Helpers is also the name of a home care franchise with locations in Canada. Its locations are listed on SeniorHome.ca alongside independent home care agencies, so you can compare them with other senior helpers near you.
How do I find senior helpers near me?
This page shows home care agencies closest to you first. You can also search any city above, or browse by province and city below.