Articles
Plain answers for Canadians looking for elder care, child care, property care or pet care, and for the independent care professionals who provide it.
For families · Elder care
What is the difference between companion care, personal care and nursing care?
Companion care, personal care and nursing care compared for families in Canada: what each covers, who provides it and how to tell which your parent needs.
For care professionals · Elder care
How can an independent caregiver protect themselves when working with older clients?
How independent PSWs and companions in Canada protect themselves: written care agreements, care notes and tax records, client privacy and insurance questions.
For families · Elder care
How do I find in-home care for an elderly parent in Canada?
How Canadian families find in-home care for an aging parent: list the needs, ask about public home care, compare private options and check every caregiver.
For care professionals · Elder care
How do I become an independent PSW or home support worker in Canada?
How to start as an independent PSW, companion or home support worker in Canada: training, first aid, vulnerable sector checks, scope and what to set up first.
For families · Elder care
What questions should I ask an in-home caregiver before choosing them?
The questions to ask an in-home caregiver for an older parent in Canada: experience, training, safety, dementia, boundaries, schedule and what to confirm.
For care professionals · Elder care
How do I find private elder care clients as an independent caregiver?
How independent PSWs and companions in Canada find private elder care clients: where families look, how to present yourself and how to reach out lawfully.
For families · Elder care
What is respite care, and how do I plan a break from caregiving?
What respite care is, the in-home, day program and short-stay options in Canada, and how family caregivers can plan regular breaks before burnout sets in.
For care professionals · Elder care
How should I set my rates for private elder care?
How independent PSWs and companions in Canada can set private elder care rates: what a rate must cover, what changes it, sales tax rules and presenting it.
For families · Elder care
What does a personal support worker (PSW) do, and what don’t they do?
What a personal support worker does for an older parent, which tasks belong to a nurse, how PSW training varies and where public home care fits in Canada.
For care professionals · Elder care
What should an independent caregiver do, and not do, for an older client?
Scope for independent PSWs and companions in Canada: personal care vs nursing tasks, help with medications, saying no to families and personal boundaries.