Why This Matters Now: Winter Risks and New Pressures in Winnipeg
Winnipeg’s winters are among the harshest in Canada, with average February lows of -21°C and frequent ice storms (Environment Canada, 2025). According to the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA), calls for home care spike by up to 19% between December and March, as families struggle with weather-related isolation, increased fall risks, and delayed medical appointments.
Recent policy updates in 2025 have expanded eligibility for Manitoba home care support, aiming to reduce emergency room visits and hospital readmissions during peak winter months (Manitoba Health, 2025). With over 33,000 Manitobans now receiving home care annually—and Winnipeg accounting for nearly half of all new referrals—timely access to these services is more crucial than ever.
A new WRHA report shows that in January 2025 alone, over 1,800 Winnipeg residents were added to home care caseloads, and 92% of urgent referrals received an initial assessment within 8 days. These improvements reflect a city-wide commitment to keeping seniors safe at home, even as winter challenges mount. However, despite these gains, WRHA home care often has long wait times—especially for non-urgent cases or when demand surges during harsh weather. This can leave families feeling anxious as they wait for support.
Understanding Manitoba Home Care Support: What’s Available in Winnipeg?
The Manitoba Home Care Program is Canada’s oldest universal, province-wide home care system. It provides coordinated, needs-based support regardless of income, delivered locally in Winnipeg by the WRHA. Services include personal care (bathing, dressing), nursing, rehabilitation, meal prep, and even companionship—especially vital when winter weather cuts off social routines (Manitoba Health, 2025).
In 2025, the province committed over $370 million to home care, with new funding directed at reducing waitlists and expanding the WRHA Companion Care program. Wait times for initial assessment in Winnipeg now average 7–9 days, down from 14 days in 2023—a critical improvement when every day counts for a senior at risk of falling or becoming isolated (WRHA, 2025). Still, some families experience longer waits for ongoing or non-urgent services, especially during winter peaks.
According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, 93% of seniors prefer to age at home, but only 18% have a formal care plan in place (CIHI, 2025). Manitoba home care support bridges this gap, helping families act before a crisis hits.
For eligible families, the Manitoba Primary Caregiver Tax Credit offers up to $1,400 annually to help offset the costs of providing care at home.
How the WRHA Delivers Home Care in Winnipeg
The WRHA is your gateway to Manitoba home care support in Winnipeg. After a referral (from your doctor, hospital, or self-referral), a WRHA case coordinator assesses your loved one’s needs—often within days during winter’s peak. Services range from daily personal care to medication reminders, meal prep, and mobility support. For those needing extra social connection, the WRHA Companion Care program pairs seniors with trained companions for regular visits, reducing loneliness and providing peace of mind for families when roads are impassable (WRHA Home Care).
For longer-term needs (over 60 days), the WRHA coordinates Long Term Home Care Programs—a crucial resource for seniors with chronic conditions or dementia. In 2025, over 5,200 Winnipeg residents relied on long-term home care to get through the winter safely (WRHA, 2025).
A recent survey found that 87% of Winnipeg families using WRHA home care during winter rated their experience as “good” or “excellent,” citing timely assessments and compassionate staff as top strengths. Still, it’s important to note that WRHA home care often has long wait times, especially for non-urgent or ongoing services. This can be stressful for families who need immediate help.
If you’re facing a long wait for WRHA home care, private providers like TheKey Home Care can help bridge the gap. TheKey’s Winnipeg team offers flexible scheduling, hospital-to-home transitions, and dementia support to ensure your loved one isn’t left without care while waiting for public services.
Where Families Feel the Pressure: Winnipeg’s Winter Challenges
Winter amplifies every risk. According to the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, calls for senior falls increase by 31% after major snowfalls (WFPS, 2025). Post-hospital transitions are especially fraught: new medications, mobility limitations, and slippery sidewalks can quickly turn a safe discharge into a readmission. Manitoba home care support provides a safety net—helping with daily routines, monitoring for complications, and ensuring follow-up care isn’t missed.
For families facing dementia, winter brings added worry. Disrupted routines and reduced daylight can increase confusion and wandering risk. The WRHA and private providers like TheKey offer specialized dementia care, including consistent supervision and relationship-based support (learn more).
Even without a diagnosis, many older adults struggle with basics during cold snaps: safe bathing, meal prep, and medication management. Manitoba home care support helps prevent small issues from becoming emergencies.
Winnipeg’s Universal Home Care: A Lifeline During Harsh Winters
Manitoba’s universal home care program—serving over 33,000 people each year—ensures Winnipeg seniors can access essential health and companionship services regardless of income. As winter intensifies isolation and injury risks, these supports become critical lifelines for families.
Citation: Manitoba Health, 2025
What You Can Do This Week: 4 Steps for Winnipeg Families
- Contact WRHA Home Care: Call WRHA Home Care to request an assessment or inquire about the Companion Care program. Early winter referrals reduce wait times and ensure support is in place before a crisis.
- Set Up a Winter Safety Plan: Review your loved one’s home for fall hazards (throw rugs, icy steps), and create a medication and meal checklist for the week. Download the WRHA’s free home safety guide (WRHA Resources).
- Schedule Regular Check-Ins: Arrange daily phone or video calls with your senior family member. If you can’t visit in person, recruit neighbours or friends for wellness check-ins—especially after storms.
- Explore Additional Supports: If your loved one is returning from hospital or needs dementia care, consider combining public home care with private services for extra consistency. TheKey’s Winnipeg team offers hospital-to-home transitions and dementia support (learn more). If you’re waiting for WRHA home care, TheKey can help bridge the gap with immediate, flexible support.
Navigating Senior Services in Winnipeg: Local Resources
Start by identifying the most urgent risk: is it falls, medication errors, missed meals, or isolation? For publicly coordinated Manitoba home care support, begin with WRHA Home Care and the Manitoba Home Care Program. For community-based programs, Age & Opportunity connects older Manitobans to education, engagement, and wellness resources.
If your family needs more frequent or specialized support—such as evening visits or dementia care—private providers like TheKey offer premium, relationship-based home care in Winnipeg, prioritising dignity and continuity (Winnipeg senior care services). TheKey Home Care can also bridge the gap while you wait for WRHA services to begin.
Frequently Asked Questions: Manitoba Home Care Support in Winnipeg
A: Any Manitoba resident with a valid Manitoba Health card who requires assistance with daily living due to health or mobility challenges can apply. Eligibility is based on assessed need, not income.
Q: How quickly can services start after referral?
A: In most urgent cases, WRHA aims to complete an initial assessment within 7–9 days during winter. Non-urgent cases may take slightly longer, but recent funding has reduced wait times city-wide. However, WRHA home care often has long wait times for ongoing or non-urgent services, especially during winter peaks. If you need immediate support, private providers like TheKey Home Care can help bridge the gap while you wait for public services to begin.
Q: What services are included in the Manitoba Home Care Program?
A: Services include personal care (bathing, dressing), nursing, meal preparation, medication reminders, rehabilitation, and companionship. Specialized programs are available for dementia and chronic conditions.
Q: Is there a cost for home care services?
A: Most core services provided by the Manitoba Home Care Program are free for eligible residents. Some additional or private services may have fees.
Q: Can I combine public home care with private services?
A: Yes. Many Winnipeg families use both WRHA home care and private providers like TheKey for added flexibility, evening visits, or specialized dementia care. TheKey can also provide care while you wait for WRHA services to start.
Worried about a parent’s safety or loneliness this winter? You don’t have to face it alone. With Manitoba home care support and local expertise, aging in place can be safer and more connected—even in Winnipeg’s coldest months.
- Contact WRHA Home Care for an assessment
- Review your winter safety plan
- Schedule regular check-ins with your loved one
- Explore additional supports, including private care if needed
Connect with a local Winnipeg care team for next steps.
Talk to a care specialistThis article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for recommendations specific to your family’s needs.
