How Much Does Home Care Cost in Ontario? (2026 Guide)

One of the first things families ask when a parent or spouse needs home care is: how much is this going to cost?

The honest answer is: it depends — on the type of care, whether it's publicly funded or private, and where you live in Ontario. This guide breaks it all down for 2026 so you can plan with clear numbers.

What does OHIP cover for home care?

OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) does not cover Personal Support Worker services directly. However, the province funds home care through Ontario Health atHome (formerly CCAC and HCCSS), which can arrange subsidized PSW visits for eligible Ontarians.

What Ontario Health atHome can cover:

• Nursing visits for wound care, catheter management, and post-surgical care
• PSW visits for eligible patients (bathing, grooming, personal care)
• Physiotherapy and occupational therapy

The catch: publicly funded PSW hours are rationed. A typical government-funded allocation is 2–4 hours per week. For families whose loved ones need daily support, this falls far short.

Nursing visits through OHIP are better covered — but again, only for clinically justified medical needs.

What does private home care cost in Ontario?

When public funding runs out — or when you need more hours than the system provides — private pay is the path. Here's what to expect in Ontario in 2026:

| Care Type | Typical Rate |

|---|---|

| PSW (agency) | $30–$45/hr |

| PSW (direct hire platform) | $25–$35/hr |

| RPN (Registered Practical Nurse) | $50–$70/hr |

| RN (Registered Nurse) | $70–$95/hr |

| Overnight care (12hrs) | $250–$400 |

| Live-in care (24hrs) | $400–$600/day |

Agency rates are higher because the agency takes a cut — often 40–60% above what the worker earns. Direct-hire platforms that connect families with independent PSWs tend to cost significantly less.

The agency fee problem

Traditional home care agencies charge a premium for the service of matching and managing PSWs. That markup is often $10–$20/hr above the PSW's actual wage. For families needing 20+ hours of care per week, that adds up to $800–$1,600/month in overhead.

Newer platforms take a different approach — acting as a marketplace that connects verified PSWs directly with families, with lower overhead built into the rate.

What CareNearby charges

CareNearby offers a flat rate of $25/hr for verified PSW visits in Greater Sudbury — with a 3-hour minimum booking. There are no agency fees, no hidden charges, and no lock-in contracts.

At 20 hours/week, that's approximately $2,000/month — compared to $2,400–$3,600/month through a traditional agency for the same coverage.

For families managing aging parents, post-surgical recovery, or disability support in Sudbury, CareNearby is built to make care affordable without sacrificing verification or reliability.

See pricing and book a PSW →