Not sure what kind of care you need? Take our free 1-minute Care Navigator quiz →
Find Home Care That Can Start This Week
Public home support in BC has long waitlists. Private agencies can often begin within days — and most families start with just a few hours per week.
Private home care agencies provide trained caregivers who visit your loved one at home. Services include personal care, meal prep, medication reminders, companionship, and light housekeeping. Most agencies can start within 48 hours.
Home Care Costs in BC
| Type of Care | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Companion Care | $35–$50/hr |
| Personal Care (bathing, dressing) | $35–$55/hr |
| Nursing (RN/LPN) | $55–$150+/hr |
| 24-Hour Shift Care | $18,000–$45,000/mo |
| Live-In Care | $12,000–$20,000/mo |
How does this compare?
At 4 hours/day, home care costs roughly the same as a private assisted living suite ($4,500–$7,200/mo vs $3,500–$7,000/mo). Many families use home care as a bridge while waiting for a publicly funded bed.
Need help finding the right home care support in BC?
Takes ~60 seconds · Free · No account needed
Looking for 24/7 live-in care?
Find vetted live-in caregivers in your area.
View Live-In Care Providers →Understanding Home Care in BC
Private home care agencies provide trained caregivers who visit your loved one at home. Services typically include personal care (bathing, dressing), meal preparation, medication reminders, companionship, and light housekeeping.
Most agencies offer flexible scheduling — from a few hours per week to full-time live-in care. There are no waitlists for private home care, and many agencies can start within 48 hours of your first call.
Typical costs range from $35–$55 per hour for standard personal care support. Specialized services like nursing care or overnight monitoring may cost more. Some extended health insurance plans cover a portion of private home care costs.
BC also offers publicly funded home support through your local health authority. To find out if you qualify, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 and ask for Home & Community Care intake.
What to Know About Home Care in BC
Are home care agencies licensed?
Private home care agencies aren't facility-licensed like care homes. However, staff providing personal care should be registered Health Care Assistants (HCAs). Under BC's Community Care and Assisted Living Act, agencies serving three or more people may need registration. Always ask to verify staff credentials.
What if I'm on a waitlist for a care home?
Private home care is often used as interim support while waiting for a publicly funded bed. Many agencies specialize in this bridge care and can start within days of your first call. See our guide: While You Wait — What to Do During the Care Home Waitlist.
How do I choose the right agency?
Check that staff are on the BC HCA Registry, ask about minimum hours, get references from current clients, and confirm their coverage area includes your location. It's also worth asking about backup staff policies and how they handle emergencies.
Find the right senior care in BC
Answer 4 questions. We'll show you what's available and what to do next in your area.
Free. Independent. No referral fees. No email required.