When a loved one needs care at home in Montréal, families often wonder what services are covered by Quebec’s public system and when they might need to add private care. Understanding the difference between CLSC services and private home care helps families make smart choices for their aging parents and relatives.
This guide will help you understand exactly what’s covered, what isn’t, and how to create the best care plan for your family. Many families in Montreal feel overwhelmed when trying to navigate Quebec’s healthcare system, especially during health crises or sudden changes in their loved one’s needs.
Understanding Quebec’s Home Care System
Quebec serves over 8.5 million people, with Montreal being home to approximately 4.3 million residents in the metropolitan area. As Canada’s population ages, with approximately 7.8 million Canadians now over 65, the demand for home care services continues to grow significantly.
Key Statistics:
- Most Canadian seniors prefer to age at home when possible
- Quebec senior support services help hundreds of thousands of seniors annually
- Average wait time for CLSC services ranges from 2-8 weeks depending on urgency
- Private home care can often start within 24-48 hours
The key to successful aging at home lies in understanding how to combine public and private resources effectively.
What Are CLSC Services in Montreal?
CLSC stands for Centre local de services communautaires (Local Community Service Centre). These are part of Quebec’s public health system. CLSCs provide health and social services at their facilities and in homes throughout Montreal and surrounding areas.
In Montreal, CLSCs are part of larger health networks called CIUSSS (Integrated University Health and Social Services Centres). The Montreal CLSC services network includes multiple locations serving different neighborhoods, each offering similar core services while adapting to local community needs.
What CLSC Home Care Covers
CLSC home care services are free through RAMQ (Quebec’s health insurance). Services include:
Medical and Health Services:
- Nursing care, wound care, and medication management
- Blood tests, vaccinations, and health monitoring
- Occupational therapy and physiotherapy assessment
- Speech therapy for swallowing or communication issues
- Palliative care coordination and mental health support
Personal Care Assistance:
- Personal hygiene assistance and dressing support (morning and evening)
- Eating assistance and nutritional guidance
- Mobility support and fall prevention strategies
- Basic medication reminders during nursing visits
Household and Social Support:
- Light housekeeping, cooking, and grocery shopping assistance
- Laundry and basic home maintenance coordination
- Home safety evaluations and accessibility assessments
- Care plan development and regular reviews
- Links to other health services, specialists, and community resources
- Limited respite services for family caregivers (availability varies)
The Reality of CLSC Coverage Limits
While CLSC services are valuable and free, they have important limitations that families should understand:
Time and Availability Constraints:
- Limited hours: Usually 1-3 hours per visit for specific tasks only
- Wait times: Can take weeks or months for non-urgent needs
- Task-focused: Medical or basic assistance only, not companionship or social engagement
- No flexibility: Schedules set by the system, not family preferences or changing needs
- Weekend gaps: Limited evening, weekend, and holiday coverage
- Staff changes: You may see different caregivers for each visit, affecting continuity
Service Exclusions: CLSC services don’t include many things families often need:
- Extended companionship or social visits beyond care tasks
- Transportation to medical appointments, shopping, or social activities
- Heavy housekeeping, yard work, or home maintenance
- 24/7 supervision or monitoring for safety
- Personal preference accommodation (specific meal times, routines, cultural needs)
- Pet care, plant watering, or technology support
- Emergency response outside of medical crises
These limitations mean that while CLSC provides essential medical support, many families find they need additional services to ensure their loved one can truly thrive at home safely and happily.
How to Access CLSC Home Care
Getting CLSC services requires going through proper channels and following specific steps:
The Application Process:
- Call your local CLSC or dial 811, option 3 for the Primary Care Access Point
- Request a home care assessment—A case worker will schedule a comprehensive evaluation
- Wait for approval and service coordination (typically 2-8 weeks for non-urgent needs)
- Services begin based on assessed needs and system availability
Key Phone Numbers for Quebec Health Services:
- 811, option 1: Info-Santé for health services advice (available 24/7 in English and French)
- 811, option 2: Info-Social for psychosocial support, mental health issues, and crisis intervention
- 811, option 3: Primary Care Access Point (for those without family doctors)
- 9-1-1: Medical emergencies only
Tips for Navigating the System:
- Call early in the morning (8:00 AM) for better availability and shorter wait times
- Have your RAMQ card, health information, and medication list ready
- Be prepared to describe your loved one’s specific needs, current living situation, and safety concerns
- Ask about expedited services if the situation involves immediate safety risks
- Request an English-speaking case worker if language support is needed
- Keep detailed notes about your conversations, reference numbers, and follow-up requirements
Required Documentation: You’ll need your RAMQ health insurance card, a list of current medications, recent medical reports or hospital discharge summaries, contact information for family doctor and specialists, and emergency contact details for family members.
What Private Home Care Adds
Private home care agencies like TheKey fill the gaps that CLSC services can’t address. Private home care Montreal agencies provide non-medical and where necessary, medical care via caregivers (PABs) and nurses (LPNs & RNs). Caregivers assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, grooming, dressing, light housekeeping, meal preparation and companionship.
Beyond Basic Coverage: What Families Really Need
Flexible Scheduling: Private care works around your family’s schedule, not a system’s availability. Care can be provided evenings, weekends, and holidays when CLSC services aren’t available.
Companionship and Emotional Support: While CLSC focuses on medical tasks, private caregivers provide meaningful social interaction. This includes conversation, activity participation, and emotional comfort that keeps seniors engaged and happy.
24/7 Availability: patients recovering at home can benefit from full-time, 24-hour services from a caregiver, the level of care is far more personalized than at a nursing facility.
Personalised Care Plans: Private agencies like TheKey use approaches like the Balanced Care Method® that focus on the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—not just medical needs.
Types of Private Home Care Services
Personal Care:
- Comprehensive bathing, grooming, and dressing assistance
- Mobility support and fall prevention strategies
- Medication reminders and organization (non-medical)
- Meal planning, preparation, and feeding assistance
Household Support:
- Light housekeeping and deep cleaning services
- Laundry, ironing, and wardrobe management
- Shopping, errands, and prescription pickup
- Home organization and basic maintenance coordination
Companionship Services:
- Meaningful conversation and social interaction
- Activity participation and hobby engagement
- Technology support and family video calls
- Accompaniment to appointments and social events
Specialized Care:
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s care with specialized training
- Post-surgery recovery assistance and monitoring
- Respite care for family caregivers (hourly, daily, or overnight)
- End-of-life comfort care and family support
For families who need round-the-clock support, private home care Montreal agencies can provide live-in caregivers for continuous monitoring and emergency response.
Financial Help: Making Private Care Affordable
Many Montreal families don’t know about government programs that help pay for private home care. These programs can significantly reduce the out-of-pocket costs of quality care.
Chèque Emploi-Service Program
The Quebec government covers private home care costs up to $18-21 per hour through the Direct Allowance Program. Over 15,000 people in Quebec have received this assistance, making quality care more accessible to families who need it.
How the Program Works:
- Apply through your CLSC for comprehensive assessment (process typically takes 4-8 weeks)
- If approved, receive allocated hours of care (typically 10-40 hours weekly maximum)
- Government pays the approved caregiver directly at the established hourly rate
- You manage administrative tasks, or agencies like TheKey can handle paperwork and coordination
- Regular reassessments ensure care levels remain appropriate as needs change
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a Quebec resident with valid RAMQ coverage
- Demonstrate documented loss of autonomy affecting daily living activities
- Show that current family and social support alone is insufficient
- Need regular, ongoing assistance (not just occasional help)
- Meet income and asset guidelines (financial assessment may be required)
What the Program Covers:
- Personal care assistance including bathing, dressing, and grooming
- Light housekeeping, meal preparation, and shopping assistance
- Companionship, social engagement, and cognitive stimulation
- Medication reminders and health monitoring support
- Transportation for essential errands within reasonable limits
Quebec Tax Credits for Seniors
Quebec offers several tax credits that help offset home care costs and support aging at home:
Tax Credit for Home-Support Services for Seniors (age 70+):
- Covers personal care services like nursing care, hygiene assistance, and companionship
- Includes housekeeping, grounds maintenance, snow removal, and home maintenance services
- Provides a refundable tax credit of 38% of eligible expenses
Maximum benefits vary by situation:
- Single non-dependent senior: Up to $7,410 annually (38% of $19,500 in eligible expenses)
- Single dependent senior: Up to $9,690 annually (38% of $25,500 in eligible expenses)
- Couple scenarios: Up to $14,820-$19,380 annually depending on dependency status
- Rate increases by 1% per year until reaching 40% in 2026
- Visit out Tax Credit Calculator to verify your eligibility
Independent Living Tax Credit for Seniors (age 70+):
- Covers equipment purchases like grab bars, shower seats, mobility aids, and accessibility ramps
- Includes home modifications for accessibility, safety improvements, and barrier removal
- Short-term rehabilitation facility stays before returning home
Refundable Tax Credit for Caregivers:
- Available to family members who provide care or coordinate care services
- Covers respite care expenses when family caregivers need breaks or support
- Can be claimed even if caregiver doesn’t live with the care recipient
- Helps offset lost income from reduced work hours due to caregiving responsibilities
Combining CLSC and Private Care: The Best Approach
Smart families often combine both systems to create comprehensive care plans that address medical needs while providing the social interaction and daily support that keeps seniors thriving at home.
Typical Daily Schedule Using Both Systems:
- Morning (CLSC nurse, 8:00-10:00 AM): Medication management, health monitoring, wound care, and medical equipment checks
- Mid-Morning to Afternoon (Private caregiver, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM): Personal care, bathing, dressing, breakfast preparation, companionship, and light housekeeping
- Evening (Private caregiver, 5:00-9:00 PM): Dinner preparation, personal care, evening routine, social activities, and family communication
This combination ensures medical needs are professionally managed while providing the flexibility, companionship, and personalized attention that makes the difference between surviving and thriving at home.
Real-World Success Story: The Dubois Family Experience
Marie Dubois, 78, lives alone in Montreal after her husband passed away last year. She has Type 2 diabetes, limited mobility due to arthritis, and mild memory concerns. Her daughter lives in Toronto, and her son works full-time locally. The family wanted Marie to stay in her beloved Mont-Royal apartment where she’d lived for 40 years.
Initial Challenges: Marie was missing medication doses, had fallen twice in the shower, wasn’t eating regular meals, and was becoming increasingly isolated. The family tried managing care themselves but found it overwhelming, especially with work commitments and distance.
CLSC Services (covered by RAMQ):
- Registered nurse visits twice weekly for diabetes monitoring, blood sugar checks, and foot care
- Monthly occupational therapy assessments for home safety and mobility aids
- Quarterly blood work coordination with family doctor
- Connection to community diabetes education and support group
- Social worker check-ins for mental health and resource coordination
Private Care Services (partially covered by Chèque Emploi-Service):
- Morning care visits (10:00 AM-2:00 PM) four times weekly for personal care, meal preparation, and companionship
- Evening care visits (5:00-9:00 PM) three times weekly for dinner preparation, social interaction, and evening routine assistance
- Weekend extended visits for grocery shopping, apartment cleaning, and family visit support
- Emergency response system monitoring and family communication
Family Contributions:
- Sunday family dinners and social visits
- Medical appointment transportation and advocacy
- Financial management and bill paying
- Holiday celebrations and special occasion coordination
- Weekly phone check-ins and care plan discussions
Financial Breakdown:
- CLSC services: $0 (covered by RAMQ)
- Chèque Emploi-Service coverage: $560/week (28 hours × $20/hour)
- Family out-of-pocket costs: $480/week for additional private care hours
- Total monthly cost: Approximately $1,040 after government assistance
- Comparison: Private residence care would cost $4,500+/month
Outstanding Results After 18 Months: Marie’s diabetes is well-controlled with consistent HbA1c levels, she’s had no falls since implementing the care plan, maintains her independence and decision-making, stays socially connected through both caregiver companionship and community activities, and the family reports significantly reduced stress and improved relationships. Marie remains in her own home, surrounded by familiar neighborhood connections and cherished memories.
Making the Right Choice for Your Family
Choose CLSC services when:
- Medical needs are primary
- Budget is limited
- Care needs are minimal
Add private care when:
- Social isolation is a concern
- Family caregivers need breaks
- Flexible scheduling is important
Warning signs you need enhanced care:
- Loneliness or withdrawal, caregiver burnout, missed appointments, safety concerns, declining hygiene, or social isolation leading to depression
Immediate red flags: Unexplained bruises, spoiled food, unpaid bills, confusion about time/place, or personality changes
Private home care Montreal agencies can start services within 24-48 hours, while CLSC services may take weeks.
TheKey’s Expertise in Montreal
As Canada’s most trusted senior care experts, TheKey understands both Quebec’s public system and how private care enhances it.
Trusted Elder Care Expertise: Our caregivers work seamlessly with CLSC services, understanding Quebec’s healthcare system and coordinating care effectively.
Exclusive Insights & Support: We help families navigate the Chèque Emploi-Service program and access financial assistance, making quality private care more affordable.
Care Team Excellence: Every caregiver is backed by our full Care Team, providing oversight and support that ensures consistent, high-quality care.
Our Balanced Care Method® complements CLSC’s medical focus with attention to emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing. Our Montreal team understands Quebec’s regulations, provides bilingual services, and offers backup coverage when regular caregivers are unavailable.
Getting Started
If you’re considering home care options in Montreal:
- Contact your local CLSC to understand public services
- Call 811 for immediate guidance
- Assess gaps between CLSC services and family needs
- Explore private care options to fill those gaps
- Look into financial assistance programs
Remember, the goal isn’t choosing between CLSC and private care—it’s creating the right combination that helps your loved one age safely at home.
Common Questions
Q: Can I use both systems simultaneously? A: Yes! Most successful care plans combine CLSC medical services with private care daily support.
Q: How long for CLSC services to start? A: 2-8 weeks for non-urgent needs. Private care typically starts within 24-48 hours.
Q: Do we qualify for Chèque Emploi-Service? A: Contact your CLSC for assessment. You need demonstrated autonomy loss and valid RAMQ coverage.
Q: What if CLSC caregivers don’t show up? A: Contact your case worker immediately. This is why many families add private care for consistent support.
Planning ahead helps families transition smoothly as home care needs increase. Register with CLSC early, research private care options, establish relationships with providers, and maintain social connections regardless of care level.
Important Disclaimers
The information in this post reflects CLSC services, government programs, and healthcare policies as of August 2025. Program availability, eligibility requirements, coverage limits, wait times, and financial assistance amounts may change based on Quebec government funding, policy updates, and local CLSC capacity. Contact your local CLSC, call 811, or verify details with RAMQ directly for the most current information about services and eligibility.
This content provides educational information only and should not replace professional consultation with healthcare providers, CLSC case workers, social workers, or qualified care coordinators. Individual circumstances, health needs, and eligibility for programs like Chèque Emploi-Service vary significantly. Proper assessment by qualified professionals remains essential for determining appropriate care services, government assistance eligibility, and safe aging-at-home planning.
Wait times, service availability, and program coverage can vary significantly by location, individual needs assessment, and system capacity. Tax credit amounts and eligibility criteria are subject to change by Quebec Revenue and Canada Revenue Agency. While we strive for accuracy in presenting government programs and healthcare information, readers should confirm all financial assistance details, tax credit eligibility, and care service availability with official sources before making care-related decisions.
Contact TheKey Today
Navigating Quebec’s healthcare system while ensuring your loved one gets the care they need doesn’t have to be overwhelming. TheKey’s Montreal team of care experts is here to help you understand your options, access government programs like Chèque Emploi-Service, and create a personalised care plan that works with CLSC services.
Whether you’re just starting to explore home care options or need immediate support, our Care Team Excellence means you’ll have trusted guidance every step of the way. We’ll help you combine the best of Quebec’s public system with private care services that fill the gaps and keep your family’s unique needs at the centre of everything we do.
Ready to get started? Contact TheKey Montreal today for your free care consultation. Let us show you how the Balanced Care Method® can help your loved one thrive at home with the perfect combination of CLSC and private care services.
