Home Care in Quebec: Covered Services and Procedures

Staying at home rather than moving into a nursing home is the preference of the majority of Quebec seniors. The’home care makes this choice possible, provided that the options and steps are well understood. Quebec's home support policy, titled At home: the first choice, has been formalizing this objective for more than 20 years [1]. Here is a clear overview of the available services, the organizations that provide them, financial assistance, and how to access them in 2026.

On this page

• What services are offered
• Who provides these services in Quebec?
• Available Financial Assistance
• How to initiate a request
• The Role of Family Caregivers
• Signs That Warrant Prompt Evaluation
• Myths and Misconceptions
• Frequently asked questions
• Sources

What services are offered

L’home care It encompasses much more than just housekeeping. It can include clinical care, rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and even palliative care. The right balance depends on each person’s individual needs and changes over time.

The Main Categories of Services

• Help with Household Chores Housekeeping, grocery shopping, meal preparation, laundry
• Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Hygiene, dressing, feeding, mobility, transfers
• Nursing care at home dressings, injections, medication management, blood tests, vital sign monitoring
• Home Rehabilitation physical therapy, occupational therapy, home adaptation
• Psychosocial support and support for the caregiver
• Palliative care at home
• Respite at home to support family caregivers
• Meal Delivery (mobile food pantry) by community organizations
• Specialized Medical Transportation
• Remote Assistance and emergency call systems

Key Takeaways

• Visit home care is the first option advocated by the Quebec policy «At Home: The First Choice» [1]
• Visit CLSC is the public entry point: the assessment is conducted using the OEMC (multi-client assessment tool)
• Visit EESAD offer discounted home care services through PEFSAD [2]
• Visit private sector provides faster and more flexible access to nursing care and personal assistance
• Several tax credits and programs reduce costs for seniors and caregivers [3]
• A good request often combines public, EESAD, private, and family members in a coherent plan

Who provides these services in Quebec?

In Quebec, the supply is based on three complementary pillars : the public system (CLSC / CIUSSS), social economy home care agencies (EESAD), and the private sector. None of these pillars is sufficient on its own in most complex situations.

The public health care system (CLSC / CIUSSS)

• Visit CLSC are the starting point for needs assessment
• L’OEMC (multi-client assessment tool) is used to measure independence and guide the service plan
• According to the profile, the CLSC offer directly certain services or refers individuals to other resources (EESAD, community organizations)
• Visit nursing care, rehabilitation and psychosocial support are often provided by CLSC teams
• Access is usually free of charge for eligible clinical services, but the intensity may be limited by availability
• Visit deadlines and the offerings vary by region

ESAD

• Visit Social Economy Home Care Organizations (EESAD) are non-profit organizations supported by the Quebec government [2]
• They mainly offer’home care assistance (household chores, laundry, grocery shopping, meal preparation) and, depending on the region, certain ADLs
• They offer discounted rates thanks to Financial Assistance Program for Home Care Services (PEFSAD)
• L’schedule assistance the PEFSAD is completed by a aid varies by income
• L’inscription Registration with PEFSAD is done through RAMQ or directly with EESAD
• Several EESADs are working in partnership with the CLSC

The private sector

• Private agencies and clinics as UVO offers personalized services, often quicker to obtain and more flexible in time slots
• Nursing care at home Blood draws, bandages, injections, medication management, antibiotic therapy
• Caregivers for activities of daily living (ADLs) and personal assistance
• Higher cost than the general public or EESADs, but part of it may be covered by private insurance or tax credits
• Continuity with the primary care physician provided by certain services affiliated with a medical clinic
• Advantage : helps bridge the gap between public supply and actual needs

Comparative table of the three pillars

Aspect	CLSC (public)	EESAD	Private / UVO
Needs Assessment	OEMC by the CLSC	Internal Evaluation	Medical or Nursing Assessment
Domestic help	Limited	Service principal	According to the supplier
Help with ADLs	According to the profile	By region	Available
Nursing care	Inclusion	No	Available
Pricing	Often without charge	Discounted with PEFSAD	Higher, sometimes covered
Access Timeframe	Variable	Variable	Usually short
Flexible hours	Limited	Moderate	High

Available Financial Assistance

Several Financial programs exist in Quebec to support staying at home, but they are sometimes unknown. When combined effectively, they can significantly reduce the monthly bill for families.

The main aids

• PEFSAD — reducing the cost of home care services through EESADs [2]
• Tax Credit for Home Care for Seniors (Ages 70 and Older) : up to 36 % of eligible expenses, subject to current terms and conditions [3]
• Tax Credit for Informal Caregivers or for someone with significant needs
• Support program to people with significant disabilities (provincial and federal programs)
• Coverage by certain private insurances for prescribed nursing care
• Benefits disability compensation or federal government benefits, depending on the individual's circumstances
• Support community organizations (meal services, transportation, volunteer support)

Tax Credit for Home Care for Seniors

• Applies to people over 70 and over who live in their own home (apartment, house, senior living facility)
• Covers a portion of the expenses for household assistance, assistance with activities of daily living, nursing care, housekeeping, and safety
• The rate is up to 36 % eligible expenses, subject to the prevailing conditions
• The maximum annual amount and eligible services are listed on the Revenu Québec website
• Credit is refundable it can be paid in advance or claimed on the tax return
• Visit official receipts and the signing of compliant contracts are essential

PEFSAD via the EESAD

• Program Government of Quebec managed by RAMQ
• Offer a fixed aid per hour of home care services received from an EESAD
• Help variable according to income for eligible individuals
• Applies primarily to the’domestic helper (housekeeping, laundry, meals, groceries)
• The registration is done via the RAMQ or through EESAD
• Visit rate and criteria are updated periodically

How to initiate a request

A structured request allows you to receive appropriate services more quickly. Here is a step-by-step guide, whether you’re applying for yourself or for a loved one.

Key Steps

1. Communicate with the CLSC territory for a needs assessment
2. Make a list current difficulties, medications, history, and diagnoses
3. Identify relatives that can contribute to informal assistance
4. Estimate the monthly budget available (combination of public funding, EESAD, private funding, and tax credits)
5. Check Eligibility to the PEFSAD and to provincial and federal tax credits
6. Supplement with a private service if demand exceeds the available public supply
7. Update the plan regularly, as needs evolve

List of Items to Prepare for the OEMC Assessment

• List of Medications In progress, with dosages and frequencies
• Medical history and significant surgical procedures
• Practical Challenges in daily life (preparing a meal, washing oneself, climbing stairs, managing medications)
• Falls recent events, hospitalizations, visits to the emergency room
• Family Network primary contact person
• Insurance coverage and ongoing programs
• Description from home (floors, bathroom, accessibility)

Need to set up a home care plan for a loved one? A medical consultation helps to structure the approach, prescribe the necessary care, and coordinate with existing services. Make an appointment or opt for the teleconsultation to discuss a care plan.

The Role of Family Caregivers

In Quebec, nearly’One in four adults is a caregiver at some point in their life. This role, which often goes unnoticed, is one of the pillars home care. Without support, however, it becomes a major cause of burnout.

What loved ones support

• Organization medical appointments and follow-ups
• Management medications and a pill organizer
• Help groceries, meals, transportation
• Support emotional support and daily presence
• Monitoring home safety and clinical progress
• Coordination with the CLSC, EESAD, private providers, and pharmacies
• Administrative procedures (tax credits, programs, benefits)

Specific Support for Caregivers

• Tax Credit for provincial informal caregivers
• Benefits from the federal government for eligible family caregivers
• Respite Programs (at home, at a center, in temporary housing)
• Phone lines Information and support (Support for Caregivers: 1-855-852-7784)
• Groups local and online support
• PAE from the employer, if applicable
• Medical Follow-up For the caregiver: their own health is a real concern

Signs That Warrant Prompt Evaluation

Some signs should encourage people to seek a prompt evaluation, rather than waiting for the situation to worsen.

From the eldest child's perspective

• Falls recent falls or fear of falling
• Weight loss unintentional, malnutrition
• Refrigerator empty, missed meals, medication taken incorrectly
• Confusion short story, memory problems
• Hygiene that is deteriorating
• Social isolation marked
• Home unsafe (crowded, difficult stairs, lack of handrails)
• Hospitalizations or repeated visits to the emergency room

From the Caregiver's Perspective

• Persistent fatigue, sleep disorders
• Irritability, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed
• Social withdrawal, loss of interest in personal activities
• Appearance physical or mental health issues
• Tensions growing family responsibilities
• Thoughts black or severe distress

In case of significant distress, resources are always available in Quebec: 1 866 APPELLE (1-866-277-3553) for suicide prevention, Health and Social Services Information 811 for 24/7 guidance, and Support for caregivers (1-855-852-7784) for specific support for caregivers.

Myths and Misconceptions

«Asking for help at home means admitting that you're no longer capable.»

False. Seeking help early on is precisely what allows many older adults to stay in their own homes longer. Waiting until exhaustion or a crisis sets in more often leads to hospitalization or a rushed placement. In-home care extends independence; it does not replace it.

«The CLSC will decide for me»

False. The CLSC assesses needs and proposes a plan, but the decisions rest with the individual and their family (or their legal representative). The plan can be accepted, rejected, adjusted, or supplemented with other resources. The plan evolves over time as the clinical condition changes.

«It's too much trouble for nothing.»

Nuanced. The process may seem complicated, but it is well-structured. Many families discover along the way that they could have been accessing services and tax credits for years. A call to the CLSC, a community organization, or L’Appui is often all it takes to get started.

«Private education is only for wealthy people.»

Mostly fake. There is a cost, but it is partially offset by tax credits (up to 36 % for those aged 70 and older for eligible services), sometimes by private insurance, and by the fact that it prevents expenses that can sometimes be even higher (such as taxis, hospital stays, and nursing home care). The right balance between public, EESAD, and private care is often more accessible than one might imagine.

«Once you start going on residencies, it's over.»

False. A temporary stay in a residential facility (for convalescence, respite care, or transition following hospitalization) does not preclude a return home. The patient’s clinical condition, home modifications, and available support determine what is realistic. Periodic reassessments allow for adjustments to the plan.

Frequently asked questions

When should you call the CLSC?

It’s a good idea to call the CLSC as soon as you notice a lasting change: falls, weight loss, medication errors, declining personal hygiene, social isolation, or discharge from the hospital. There’s no need to wait for a crisis. The earlier the assessment, the more effectively the plan can prevent complications.

How long does the OEMC assessment take?

The assessment usually takes place at home and lasts 1 to 2 hours. It is conducted by a CLSC professional (nurse, social worker, occupational therapist) and covers independence, physical and mental health, the living environment, and the social support network. Wait times for the assessment vary by region and the priority of the case.

Can I combine CLSC, EESAD, and private care?

Yes, that’s actually the most common combination in practice. Many families use the CLSC for clinical care and follow-up, an EESAD for housekeeping and meal preparation, and a private service like UVO for in-home nursing care, blood draws, or flexible scheduling. Good coordination prevents overlaps.

How much is the tax credit for in-home care?

The provincial tax credit for home care services for seniors aged 70 and older can be up to 36 % of eligible expenses, subject to the applicable conditions and limits. It can be claimed on a tax return or paid in advance. Eligible services, caps, and annual adjustments are published on the Revenu Québec website.

Does my insurance cover these services?

Several group and individual insurance plans reimburse a portion of the cost of prescribed home nursing care, particularly for postoperative care, injections, complex dressings, or IV infusions. Conditions vary (annual maximum, pre-authorization, type of care). It’s a good idea to check the coverage schedule with your insurer before starting a program.

What should you do if the situation deteriorates rapidly?

In the event of a fall resulting in injury, sudden confusion, chest pain, acute shortness of breath, new neurological symptoms, or a high fever accompanied by a deterioration in overall health, seek medical attention immediately (call emergency services, 911 if necessary). Outside of business hours, 811 (Info-Santé / Info-Social) is available 24 hours a day to direct you to the appropriate resource.

Sources

1. Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services. Home Care Policy: «At Home: The First Choice».
2. RAMQ — Quebec Health Insurance Board. Financial Assistance Program for Home Care Services (PEFSAD).
3. Revenu Québec. Tax Credit for Home Care for Seniors.
4. Quebec Federation of Home Care and Health Services Cooperatives (EESAD Network). Overview of the EESAD Network.
5. Support for Family Caregivers. Support for Family Caregivers in Quebec.
6. INESSS — National Institute for Excellence in Health and Social Services. Home Care and Services for Seniors.
7. Canadian Geriatrics Society. Home Care and Senior Care.

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