Why This Matters Now
Winnipeg is facing one of its coldest winters in recent memory, with Environment Canada issuing multiple extreme cold warnings already this season. According to Manitoba Health, more than 30,000 Manitobans receive home care services annually (Manitoba Health, 2025). For seniors, the stakes are high: the Public Health Agency of Canada reports that over 50% of fall-related injuries among Canadian seniors occur during winter months (PHAC, 2025). In Winnipeg, where snow and ice can linger for months, winter readiness is not just a precaution—it’s essential for safe aging at home.
The Manitoba government invests over $350 million annually in home care, making it one of the most comprehensive public systems in Canada (Manitoba Budget 2025). This funding supports WRHA home care teams who are on the front lines—checking in on seniors, coordinating safe hospital discharges, and flagging hazards before they become emergencies.
In response to last year’s record-breaking cold, the WRHA launched its 2025 “Winter Wellness Visits” initiative—offering additional home safety checks and emergency preparedness support to vulnerable seniors during January and February (WRHA News, 2025). This program underscores the urgent need for proactive planning as Winnipeg braces for more extreme weather events.
How the WRHA Delivers Home Care in Winnipeg
In Winnipeg, WRHA home care is the main access point for publicly funded in-home support. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority coordinates services under the Manitoba Home Care Program, including personal care, nursing, meal assistance, and post-hospital support (WRHA, 2025). Eligibility is determined by health status and need, not income or age, making these services accessible to a broad range of residents.
While WRHA home care is a cornerstone of support for many families in Manitoba, it has been shown to be unreliable at times, with families often left to fill in when scheduled caregivers do not show up. This unpredictability can be especially challenging during Winnipeg’s harsh winters, when missed visits may leave seniors without essential care or safety checks.
Recognizing these gaps, Manitoba offers a funding model known as Self and Family Managed Care. Through this program, eligible families can receive government subsidies to directly hire and pay for premium home care services—such as those provided by TheKey—tailoring support to their loved one’s exact needs and ensuring greater reliability and peace of mind. While WRHA home care has its place, Self and Family Managed Care empowers Winnipeg families to take control of their care experience, especially when public services fall short.
WRHA home care teams are especially vital in winter. They assess homes for risks—like icy steps, poor lighting, and unsafe space heater placement—and work with families to implement changes. In neighbourhoods like St. Vital and St. James, care plans often include winter-specific supports: arranging reliable transportation to medical appointments, backup plans for snowstorms, and extra check-ins during extreme cold alerts.
Families also supplement WRHA home care with private Winnipeg companion care, especially when adult children can’t cross the city during a blizzard. This layered approach ensures seniors aren’t left alone if public services are delayed by weather.
Winter Risk Map: Falls, Cold Exposure, and Home Heating Safety
A Winnipeg winter brings a triple threat for seniors:
- Falls: Over half of senior falls happen in winter, often due to icy walkways or cluttered entryways (PHAC, 2025).
- Cold Exposure: Seniors aged 75+ are three times more likely to suffer hypothermia during cold snaps (Health Canada, 2025).
- Home Heating Safety: Space heaters and overloaded outlets are a leading cause of winter house fires among older adults (Province of Manitoba, 2025).
Support Beyond the Basics: Community and Companion Care
Not all winter challenges are medical. Loneliness and missed meals spike when sidewalks are icy and outings are cancelled. Winnipeg companion care can fill gaps with social visits, meal prep, and safety check-ins—especially during multi-day cold snaps. For families managing advanced illness, Winnipeg palliative care planning often intensifies in winter, when symptoms can worsen and travel is harder.
Community programs like Age & Opportunity and Age-Friendly Manitoba offer resources for seniors to stay active and connected, even when stuck indoors (Age-Friendly Manitoba, 2025). These supports complement WRHA home care by addressing the social and practical needs that keep seniors thriving at home.
Winnipeg’s Home Care Legacy and Winter Readiness
Manitoba pioneered universal home care in Canada, launching its province-wide program in 1974. That legacy means decades of experience supporting seniors through Winnipeg’s toughest winters. Today, WRHA home care teams continue to adapt—using evidence-based checklists and community partnerships to keep older adults safer at home, no matter the forecast.
What You Can Do This Week: Winnipeg Winter Home Care Checklist
Take these five steps now to strengthen winter safety for your loved one. Each step is recommended by the WRHA’s “Winter Wellness Visits” program and the City of Winnipeg’s Senior Safety Office (WRHA, 2025; City of Winnipeg, 2025):
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Test and service the furnace and space heaters.
Why now: Sudden cold snaps can overwhelm old systems. According to Manitoba Health, hypothermia can set in quickly if indoor temperatures drop below 18°C (Province of Manitoba, 2025).
Quick tip: Keep space heaters at least 1 metre from curtains/bedding; replace furnace filters; check that vents are clear. -
Arrange for snow and ice removal.
Why now: Winnipeg averages over 110 cm of snow each winter (City of Winnipeg, 2025), making falls a daily risk.
Quick tip: Add sand or grit to walkways; ensure handrails are sturdy; place non-slip mats at entrances. -
Do a 5-minute indoor “pathway sweep.”
Why now: Over 60% of senior falls happen at home (PHAC, 2025).
Quick tip: Remove throw rugs, tidy cords, and move frequently used items to waist height. -
Set up a winter storm check-in plan.
Why now: Power outages and blizzards can delay help.
Quick tip: Decide who will call or visit after a storm; post emergency contacts by the phone. -
Review mobility and safety supports.
Why now: Proper footwear and mobility aids reduce fall risk.
Quick tip: Ensure walkers/canes have winter tips; check footwear tread; add brighter lighting at entrances.
If your loved one is returning home from hospital this winter, coordinate WRHA home care and consider extra support for the first two weeks. Learn more about hospital-to-home transition options in Winnipeg.
For additional non-medical support—like companionship, meal prep, or regular safety checks—compare home care services in Winnipeg and bring your plan to your WRHA care team.
Worried about winter safety—falls, cold rooms, or a loved one trying to do too much alone? Start with our five-step checklist above, then connect with a local Winnipeg care team for a free winter safety planning call. We’ll help you organise a practical, dignified plan that complements WRHA home care and keeps your family safer this season—especially during extreme cold alerts and snowstorms.
Ready to take action? Book a winter home care consult today.
Get startedFrequently Asked Questions about WRHA Home Care in Winnipeg
A: Eligibility is based on health status and care needs, not age or income. Anyone living in Winnipeg who requires assistance with daily living due to illness, disability, or recovery from hospitalisation can apply. Assessments are conducted by WRHA care coordinators. (WRHA, 2025)
A: Most WRHA home care services are publicly funded and provided at no direct cost to eligible residents. Some additional services or equipment may have fees, but core personal care and nursing are covered. (Manitoba Health, 2025)
A: Contact the WRHA Home Care Intake Line at 204-788-8330 or visit the official WRHA home care page to start the assessment process.
A: The WRHA prioritises urgent care and will communicate delays as soon as possible. Families are encouraged to have a backup plan—such as a neighbour or private companion care provider—especially during severe weather. The “Winter Wellness Visits” program also increases check-ins during extreme cold alerts. (WRHA News, 2025)
