Better at Home vs Private Home Care: Which Is Right for Your Family?
Better at Home is free — but it has limits. Private home care costs more but covers far more. Here's how to decide, and why many BC families use both at the same time.
Key Facts
- Better at Home is a BC government-funded program offering light housekeeping, yard work, and friendly visiting for seniors 65+.
- Better at Home does NOT provide personal care (bathing, dressing, medications) — it is for practical home support only.
- Private home care agencies provide both personal care and household support, at a cost of $25–$45/hour.
- Better at Home is low/no-cost and does not require a Health Authority assessment — contact your local coordinator to apply.
- Many families use Better at Home for practical tasks and a private agency for personal care needs simultaneously.
BC's Better at Home program is one of the most underused senior supports in the province. Funded by the United Way and the Province of BC, it provides free light assistance — grocery shopping, housekeeping, friendly visiting — to seniors who are living independently. No assessment. No income test. Just call and register.
The catch: it only covers light tasks. If your parent needs help with bathing, dressing, medication management, or more than a few hours per week, Better at Home won't be enough. That's where private home care agencies fill the gap.
The good news: you can use both. Many BC families use Better at Home for the free tasks and add private home care hours on top for personal care. Compare the two below.
Better at Home vs Private Home Care
Cost
Free (funded by United Way + Province of BC)✓ Better
$25–$45/hour
Services Offered
Light housekeeping, grocery shopping, friendly visiting, transportation to appointments
All of the above plus personal care, meal prep, medication reminders, overnight care✓ Better
Hours Available
Limited (typically 2–4 hours/week, varies by program)
Unlimited — as many hours as you need and can afford✓ Better
Scheduling
Based on program availability — may not be your preferred times
You choose days and times✓ Better
Wait Time
Varies by community — some programs have waitlists
Usually within 1–2 weeks✓ Better
Eligibility
65+ (or 55+ for Indigenous seniors), living independently
Anyone — no age requirement or assessment
Personal Care
NOT included (no bathing, dressing, medication)
Included — personal care, nursing, medication management✓ Better
Consistency
May have different helpers each visit (volunteer-based in some areas)
Same caregiver(s) assigned to you✓ Better
Available In
120+ communities in BC (not all areas — check availability)
Any city/town in BC with a home care agency
Best For
Seniors who need light help and want to keep costs at zero
Seniors who need regular, reliable care including personal support
Better at Home
Free (funded by United Way + Province of BC)✓ Better
Private Home Care
$25–$45/hour
Better at Home
Light housekeeping, grocery shopping, friendly visiting, transportation to appointments
Private Home Care
All of the above plus personal care, meal prep, medication reminders, overnight care✓ Better
Better at Home
Limited (typically 2–4 hours/week, varies by program)
Private Home Care
Unlimited — as many hours as you need and can afford✓ Better
Better at Home
Based on program availability — may not be your preferred times
Private Home Care
You choose days and times✓ Better
Better at Home
Varies by community — some programs have waitlists
Private Home Care
Usually within 1–2 weeks✓ Better
Better at Home
65+ (or 55+ for Indigenous seniors), living independently
Private Home Care
Anyone — no age requirement or assessment
Better at Home
NOT included (no bathing, dressing, medication)
Private Home Care
Included — personal care, nursing, medication management✓ Better
Better at Home
May have different helpers each visit (volunteer-based in some areas)
Private Home Care
Same caregiver(s) assigned to you✓ Better
Better at Home
120+ communities in BC (not all areas — check availability)
Private Home Care
Any city/town in BC with a home care agency
Better at Home
Seniors who need light help and want to keep costs at zero
Private Home Care
Seniors who need regular, reliable care including personal support
Cost Snapshot
Private Home Care Costs in BC
Free or low-cost through BC Health Authority — call 8-1-1 to apply
The "use both" strategy
The smartest approach for many families is to register for Better at Home immediately (it's free, there's no downside), then add private home care hours for the personal care and additional tasks that Better at Home doesn't cover.
For example: Better at Home handles grocery shopping and a weekly friendly visitor call. A private agency handles 3 mornings per week for bathing, dressing, and breakfast preparation. Total cost is lower than all-private, and your parent gets more support.
How to apply for Better at Home
Better at Home is available in 120+ BC communities. To find your local program and register, call 211 or visit betterathome.ca. If there's a waitlist in your area, get on it now — the free services are worth the wait.
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