Finding home care for an aging parent or loved one can feel overwhelming. How do you know when it’s time to get help? What questions should you ask? And how can you be confident that the person coming into your loved one’s home is qualified to provide care?

To help families navigate these decisions, we sat down with Michelle Frauley, Founder and CEO of HosPall.

Michelle shared practical advice about choosing a home care provider, supporting people living with dementia, understanding caregiver qualifications and navigating Ontario’s home care system.

Here are 10 things every family should know before choosing a private home care company.

1. Start Looking for Home Care Before There’s a Crisis

One of Michelle’s biggest recommendations is to start exploring home care before there’s an urgent need.

Families often begin searching after a hospitalization, fall or significant change in someone’s health. But there may be earlier signs that a loved one could benefit from assistance.

For example, you might notice your parent forgetting medications, struggling with household tasks or leaving expired food in the refrigerator.

These changes don’t necessarily mean someone needs home care immediately, but they can be good reasons to start learning about available options.

Even if your loved one doesn’t need assistance today, understanding publicly funded and family funded home care can make future decisions easier.

2. Know What Questions to Ask a Home Care Company

Inviting someone into your home to provide care requires trust. Michelle encourages families to research providers and ask questions before choosing a company.

Some important questions include:

• Are caregivers qualified, and how are their credentials verified?
• Do caregivers complete police checks?
• Is the company accredited?
• What services can caregivers provide?
• Is there a nurse overseeing care?
• How frequently are care needs reassessed?
• Can caregivers assist with meals, housekeeping, appointments and social activities?

Michelle also encourages families to ask about activities beyond personal care. Companionship and opportunities for social interaction can be important parts of someone’s quality of life.

3. Understand What Accreditation Means

Accreditation is one way home care companies can demonstrate a commitment to established standards and ongoing quality improvement.

Michelle explains that HosPall pursued accreditation through Accreditation Canada, an organization that also accredits hospitals and other healthcare providers.

The process involves reviewing policies, procedures and how care is delivered.

HosPall received Exemplary Standing through its accreditation process, something Michelle describes as an important achievement.

However, accreditation is not the only consideration when choosing home care. Families should also ask about caregiver qualifications, supervision, communication and how concerns are handled.

4. Ask How Caregivers Are Screened and Trained

Caregiver qualifications matter, but so does the process a company uses to recruit, screen and prepare its staff.

Michelle describes how HosPall screens prospective caregivers, reviews documentation and provides orientation before assigning them to clients.

She also participates in the orientation process to help new team members understand the company’s expectations and approach to care.

Families should ask whether caregivers receive ongoing training, particularly when supporting people with specialized needs.

5. Caregiver Consistency Can Make a Big Difference

Having familiar caregivers can help someone feel more comfortable receiving care at home.

It can be particularly important for people living with dementia or complex medical conditions.

Michelle explains that caregivers who regularly support the same person become familiar with their usual behaviour, routines and abilities.

This can make it easier to recognize changes in someone’s health or well-being.

When comparing home care companies, ask whether your loved one will have a consistent care team, how scheduling works and what happens when a regular caregiver is unavailable.

6. Understand What Nurse-Managed Home Care Means

Some home care companies describe themselves as nurse-managed, but what does that mean for the person receiving care?

Michelle recommends asking providers to explain how nurses are involved in overseeing care.

At HosPall, clients have a nurse manager who helps oversee their care, communicate with caregivers and families, and identify changes in health or care needs.

Nurse managers may also help coordinate appointments and communicate with other healthcare professionals.

Families should ask who oversees their loved one’s care, how frequently they will be involved and who to contact when concerns arise.

7. Home Care Can Support People Living With Dementia

For families supporting someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, remaining at home may be an important goal.

However, care needs can change as dementia progresses.

Michelle emphasizes that safety is one of the biggest considerations when supporting someone living with dementia.

Caregivers may need specialized training to understand changes in behaviour, communication difficulties and the person’s evolving needs.

HosPall provides dementia-related training through the Alzheimer Society of York Region, including Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) and U-First! education.

Michelle also emphasizes the importance of supporting family caregivers. Respite care can give spouses and adult children time to rest, attend appointments or enjoy activities outside their caregiving responsibilities.

8. Publicly Funded and Family Funded Home Care Can Work Together

In Ontario, eligible individuals may receive publicly funded home care through Ontario Health atHome.

Depending on their assessed needs, this may include personal support, nursing and other professional services.

However, publicly funded services may not provide all the assistance a family wants or needs.

Michelle encourages families to explore publicly funded home care, even if they’re also considering purchasing additional support.

She explains that HosPall regularly works alongside Ontario Health atHome and other healthcare professionals, particularly when supporting people receiving palliative care.

For example, someone may receive publicly funded nursing or personal support services while arranging additional care through a family funded home care company.

9. What if Your Parent Refuses Home Care?

One of the challenges families face is recognizing that a parent needs help when the parent doesn’t agree.

Michelle says this is a common concern among adult children contacting HosPall.

Her approach is to acknowledge the older adult’s desire for independence while helping them understand why their family is concerned.

Sometimes, framing home care as a way to reduce the burden on loved ones can help someone become more comfortable accepting support.

It’s important to respect the person’s wishes and involve them in decisions about their care whenever possible.

10. Home Care Is About More Than Personal Care

Home care isn’t just about assistance with bathing, dressing, meals and medication reminders.

It can also help people continue enjoying the activities and experiences that make life meaningful.

Michelle shared the story of a client receiving end-of-life care who wanted to visit Casino Rama.

Despite significant mobility challenges, the HosPall team helped arrange the outing, including accommodations so he could rest.

The client ended up winning a jackpot.

Michelle recalls how happy he was, particularly because he passed away just a week later.

She also shared examples of clients wanting to visit their cottages, attend the theatre or enjoy favourite foods.

These stories are reminders that quality of life should be part of the conversation when choosing home care.

HosPall Home Care: Putting These Principles Into Practice

After discussing what families should look for in a home care company, we also spoke with Bruce from HosPall about how the company puts some of these principles into practice.

HosPall is a nurse-owned and nurse-managed home care company founded in 2014. Michelle and Bruce have both been working in the business full-time since 2019.

Bruce shared what families can expect when they contact HosPall, how the company approaches caregiver matching and consistency, and how nurse managers support clients.

What Happens When You Contact HosPall?

Bruce explains that when someone contacts HosPall, the process begins with a conversation about the person who may need care, where they live and what assistance the family is considering.

The next step is typically an in-home assessment.

HosPall offers a complimentary initial assessment, which Bruce describes as a 30- to 45-minute visit.

During the assessment, a member of the team learns more about the person’s needs, observes the home environment and begins building a relationship with the family.

Can You Choose or Change Your Caregiver?

Finding the right caregiver is about more than qualifications. Personalities and relationships matter too.

Bruce explains that HosPall encourages clients to give new caregivers at least two shifts to build a relationship, when possible.

However, if the match isn’t working, families can request a different caregiver.

How Does HosPall Maintain Caregiver Consistency?

Consistency is one of HosPall’s priorities.

Bruce explains that the company typically schedules care six to eight weeks in advance, helping clients know who will be visiting and when.

This approach also helps caregivers plan their schedules and maintain regular relationships with clients.

Who Oversees Care at HosPall?

HosPall’s nurse managers serve as a central point of contact for clients and their families.

Bruce explains that nurse managers oversee care in the home, support caregivers and help address concerns.

The company also has office management and scheduling staff who assist with operational questions.

Nurse manager visits are arranged based on the care relationship and may occur weekly or at other regular intervals.

HosPall: An Elderado Home Care Navigation Founding Partner

We’re proud to recognize HosPall as one of Elderado’s Home Care Navigation Founding Partners.

Our Founding Partners were the first home care companies to commit to a higher level of trust and transparency while we were still developing the platform. They stepped forward early, completing our Executive Verified video audit and helping us build a resource that gives families greater insight into the companies they’re considering.

We’re grateful to Michelle, Bruce and the HosPall team for believing in our vision and helping us make it easier for families to find and compare home care in Ontario.

Find and Compare Home Care Companies With Elderado

Choosing home care is a personal decision. The right company for one family may not be the right fit for another.

As Michelle and Bruce explained, there are many factors to consider beyond hourly rates, including caregiver qualifications, training, nurse oversight, consistency and communication.

Elderado is a free website created by caregivers, for caregivers, to make finding elder care information easier.

Families can use Elderado to search, filter and compare home care companies serving their area, learn about available services and contact providers directly.

Whether you’re planning ahead or need support right away, Elderado can help you understand your options and find companies to speak with.

Find and Compare Home Care Companies on Elderado

Thank you to Michelle Frauley and Bruce of HosPall for sharing their expertise and helping families better understand home care in Ontario.