Choosing An In-Home Care Provider:

A Step-By-Step Guide

Facing the challenge of finding the right in-home care provider for your loved one can be an overwhelming and emotionally charged experience. At Arcadia Home Care, we understand the weight of this decision and the profound impact it has on the lives of both you and your loved one. Our mission is to guide you through this complex journey with empathy, trust, and expertise.

  • Assess your loved one's needs:

    The first step in determining the appropriate level of care is to evaluate your loved one’s physical, mental, and emotional needs. Consider factors such as their mobility, cognitive abilities, and any chronic health conditions they may have. It may be helpful to consult with a healthcare professional to gain a better understanding of their specific needs.

  • Evaluate your loved one's preferences:

    It’s essential to consider your loved one’s preferences and desires when deciding on the level of care. Discuss their wishes regarding their living arrangements, the type of care they would prefer, and any specific services they may need.

  • Consider your own limitations:

    As a caregiver, it’s important to recognize your own limitations in terms of time, energy, and resources. Be honest with yourself about the level of care you can provide and whether you need additional support from a professional in-home care provider.

  • Financial considerations:

    The cost of in-home care can vary depending on the level of care required and the services provided. It’s crucial to review your loved one’s financial resources and determine what they can afford in terms of care.

    At Arcadia Home Care, we carefully assess the needs of each individual and match them with a qualified PSW, who can best meet their needs in terms of personality, language, and culture. Sometimes we will employ a student who is upgrading or retraining as a PSW but who has valuable previous experience with certification from another province or the United States. These employees include nurses, physicians, and nursing aides who have been foreign-trained.

  • Research available services and providers:

    Once you have a clear understanding of your loved one’s needs and preferences, research the various care options available in your area. Look for providers that offer the services your loved one requires and have a reputation for delivering high-quality care.

  • Evaluate the provider's qualifications and experience:

    When choosing an in-home care provider, it’s essential to ensure they have the necessary qualifications, experience, and expertise to meet your loved one’s needs. Check for certifications, licensing, and any specialized training they may have.

  • Conduct interviews and background checks:

    Before making a final decision, take the time to interview potential care providers and conduct thorough background checks. This will help you gain a better understanding of their personality, communication style, and overall compatibility with your loved one.

  • Involve your loved one in the decision-making process:

    As much as possible, involve your loved one in the decision-making process. This will help ensure their needs and preferences are met, and they feel comfortable and confident in the care they receive.

  • Monitor and adjust the care plan as needed:

    Once you’ve chosen a care provider and established a care plan, it’s important to regularly monitor and evaluate the care your loved one is receiving. Be prepared to make adjustments as needed to ensure their needs are continually met and they are receiving the best possible care.

How to decide what level of care you need:

With 18 years of experience in providing compassionate and professional care, Arcadia Home Care has become a trusted partner for families seeking the best possible support for their loved ones. Our step-by-step guide is designed to ease your concerns and empower you with the knowledge and confidence to make an informed decision. Together, we will navigate this challenging process, ensuring that your loved one receives the exceptional care they deserve, while giving you the peace of mind you need.


Get the Checklist

Our detailed checklist will help you understand when to get additional help and how to choose the right care provider.

A brochure about evaluating your parents care needs

What types of Care does Arcadia Home Care provide?

We understand that each individual’s aging journey is unique. Our compassionate and dedicated team is here to support your loved one every step of the way, ensuring they receive the personalized care they deserve. Whether they require assistance with daily tasks such as housekeeping, transportation to medical appointments, guidance with rehabilitation exercises, medication management, or round-the-clock care, we are equipped to adapt to their evolving needs. Trust us to provide the highest level of professional and nurturing support, allowing your loved one to age gracefully and with dignity.

Alzheimer's & Dementia Care
Acquired Brain Injuries
Case Management Services
Family-Funded Home Care
Palliative Home Care
Rehabilitation Support

How much does it cost?

In-home care costs can vary greatly depending on the level of care needed, but on average, families can expect to spend up to $1,500 a month for basic care services. These services may include light housekeeping, laundry, linen, medication reminders, meals, and social or cognitive stimulation. It’s essential to have an assessment done to determine the specific needs of your loved one, as this can save you both money and unnecessary stress. Keep in mind that more specialized or round-the-clock care may result in higher costs. We will also work with you to maximize your insurance coverage and publicly funded options.

What will we ask in a consult?

At Arcadia Home Care, your consultation will be a thoughtful, caring, and personalized experience. Here is what you can expect:


Thorough Health Assessment

We'll start by compassionately evaluating your loved one's overall health, carefully considering any specific medical conditions or disabilities. This comprehensive understanding allows us to tailor our care to their unique needs.

We'll start by compassionately evaluating your loved one's overall health, carefully considering any specific medical conditions or disabilities. This comprehensive understanding allows us to tailor our care to their unique needs.


Understanding Daily Living Needs

We'll discuss the level of support your loved one requires for daily activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, mobility, and meals. Our goal is to provide a blend of assistance and independence that respects their dignity and promotes their well being.

We'll discuss the level of support your loved one requires for daily activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, mobility, and meals. Our goal is to provide a blend of assistance and independence that respects their dignity and promotes their well being.


Medication Timing and Dosages

We'll carefully inquire about your loved one's medications, their dosage, and timing. We're here to provide the necessary support to manage their medications safely and effectively.

We'll carefully inquire about your loved one's medications, their dosage, and timing. We're here to provide the necessary support to manage their medications safely and effectively.


Thorough Health Assessment

We'll start by compassionately evaluating your loved one's overall health, carefully considering any specific medical conditions or disabilities. This comprehensive understanding allows us to tailor our care to their unique needs.

We'll start by compassionately evaluating your loved one's overall health, carefully considering any specific medical conditions or disabilities. This comprehensive understanding allows us to tailor our care to their unique needs.


Social Engagement and Companionship

Your consultation will include a discussion about your loved one's social needs. We firmly believe in the positive impact of companionship, engagement in hobbies, and community activities.

Your consultation will include a discussion about your loved one's social needs. We firmly believe in the positive impact of companionship, engagement in hobbies, and community activities.


Home Safety and Accessibility Assessment

We'll discuss the safety and comfort of your loved one's home, identifying potential hazards and suggesting modifications to create a safe, accessible, and comforting living environment.

We'll discuss the safety and comfort of your loved one's home, identifying potential hazards and suggesting modifications to create a safe, accessible, and comforting living environment.


Identifying Caregiver Preferences

We understand the importance of a good match between caregiver and your loved one. We'll explore preferences such as gender, language, cultural background, and personality traits to ensure a comfortable and rewarding relationship.

We understand the importance of a good match between caregiver and your loved one. We'll explore preferences such as gender, language, cultural background, and personality traits to ensure a comfortable and rewarding relationship.


Navigating Financial Considerations

In the spirit of transparency, we'll discuss the costs associated with the personalized care plan, as well as any available financial assistance, insurance coverage, or payment options to help ease any financial concerns.

In the spirit of transparency, we'll discuss the costs associated with the personalized care plan, as well as any available financial assistance, insurance coverage, or payment options to help ease any financial concerns.

Who Are Our Care Providers (PSWs)

At Arcadia Home Care, our Personal Support Workers (PSWs) undergo rigorous education and training to ensure they are well-equipped to provide exceptional care to your loved ones. In Ontario, PSWs are required to complete a comprehensive training program that covers essential topics such as personal care, communication skills, safety and mobility, and cognitive and mental health support. This program is designed to meet the highest standards of care and professionalism in the industry.


In addition to the mandatory training, our PSWs participate in a thorough onboarding program at Arcadia Home Care, which includes additional education and case management training. This comprehensive approach ensures that our care providers are not only knowledgeable in their field but also possess the skills and expertise to manage and adapt to the unique needs of each client they serve. By investing in the continuous development of our PSWs, we are committed to providing the highest level of care and support to you and your loved ones.

Caregiver Matching

We pride ourselves on our ability to match caregivers with clients based on their unique needs and preferences. We understand the importance of cultural sensitivity and language compatibility in fostering strong connections and providing the best possible care. That’s why our diverse team includes a wide range of language proficiencies, including Tagalog, Hindi, Farsi, Portuguese, Italian, and Mandarin, among others. By carefully considering each client’s background, requirements, and preferences, we ensure that our caregivers not only possess the necessary skills and expertise but also share a common language and cultural understanding with the individuals they serve. This personalized approach enables us to deliver exceptional care experiences, foster meaningful relationships, and ultimately enhance the quality of life for our clients.


How we find our Care Providers


At Arcadia Home Care, we take great pride in recruiting the best Personal Support Workers (PSWs) to join our team. Our comprehensive recruitment process leverages our extensive professional networks, as well as reputable job boards such as Indeed, to source highly qualified and compassionate caregivers. We understand the importance of thoroughly vetting each candidate to ensure they meet our stringent standards of quality care and professionalism.


Our rigorous selection process includes multiple interviews, thorough background checks, and verification of certifications, education, and previous work experience. We also assess each candidate’s interpersonal skills, empathy, and commitment to providing exceptional care. By carefully evaluating every aspect of a potential caregiver’s qualifications and character, we can confidently guarantee that our PSWs are not only highly skilled and experienced, but also genuinely dedicated to the well-being and happiness of our clients and their families. This meticulous approach to recruitment enables us to consistently deliver the highest level of care and support to you and your loved ones.

Great place to work at! They take good care of their employees as well as their clients. One of the best home care companies I have worked for.

Tenzin D

I have worked for Arcadia for that last 4 months and I love that I have the freedom to choose my client's that fit my availability. I've already recommended them to everyone that has asked me where I work.

Alex P

Wonderful and compassionate team to work with always having the best interests of staff. Highly professional and the pay is okay. Maybe more hours of work could be a plus, but other than that great place to work.

Oyin O

All staff members are highly professional. Quality of care, communication and services. Safe and confidential environment is provided to everyone. Lots of shifts and good understanding of everyone's point of view. Very caring and respectful towards staff and clients.

Sapna S

I have worked for this company for almost a year now as a nursing student/psw. Hands down one of the best management teams which takes good care of employees. Pay rate is competitive and they work with your schedule.

Saatvik A

It has been a pleasure working at Arcadia Home Care. They work with my availability and allow a flexible schedule. The management team is very supportive and keep open communication.

AKP

I have been working with Arcadia since September, 2019 and the administration are very professional and supportive. When it comes to scheduling, there is nothing impossible. Whenever I have an urgent matter to do and swap a shift they will always try their best to help me out for the coverage. They look out for their employees' welfare other than the clients. My current client is also recommending the company (Arcadia) to her friends who might need the services. The company acts fast in terms of some needs in resources.

I also would like to mention that they provide continuing education to their employees to help improve and extend the highest quality of care to their clients. In terms of compensation, starting salary is good.

Yes, I certainly will recommend Arcadia Homecare to people searching for a PSW &caregiving jobs as well as to clients looking for a warm, loving, ,and high quality safe care there is in the business!

Elaine A

Arcadia Homecare definitely is a stellar of a team. Its gained reputation offers a variety of services. Most of its staff has complex experience and training. It strategically continues to premium and labour commitment in exhibiting its distinctive passion for a persistent quality and holistic client care.

It is especially happy to have the chance working with Arcadia and grow with opportunities as well as potentials. It is enjoying the flexibility needed and warmth of support.

Patricia S

Working for Arcadia Home Care is a pleasure. They make it their priority to work with your schedule. The staff is very supportive and are willing to help out in anyway they can. I would definitely recommend this company to anyone who wants to work full time or even a part time to gain experience.

Tianna H

Our Commitment to Our Care Providers

Arcadia Home Care stands firm in our commitment not just to hiring care providers, but also fostering an environment where they can thrive professionally. We take pride in taking unique measures to ensure our Personal Support Workers are set up for success and can excel in their roles.

Employing vs. Contracting

We have made the strategic decision to hire our Personal Support Workers as employees rather than contractors. This move underscores our dedication to providing them with stability and a dependable framework for their professional growth. It also ensures that they receive the benefits and ongoing support necessary to keep them motivated and committed to their roles.

Professional Development

We don't stop at just providing a stable employment platform for our care providers. We also actively invest in their professional development by providing opportunities for continuous learning and growth. Our competitive compensation packages also speak volumes about how we value their skills, time, and commitment to providing top-notch care to our clients.

Nurturing Culture

We strive to foster a nurturing and supportive work culture, where our employees feel valued and encouraged to do their best. This approach not only ensures their professional success but also translates directly into exceptional care experiences for our clients. By taking care of our care providers, we guarantee that you and your loved ones receive the high-quality support and assistance you deserve.

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