Choosing a home care service in Montréal or Laval

Public, community or private: your home support options

In Québec, home support services are delivered by the health network through local community service centres (CLSCs). A CLSC can provide the services itself or call on an outside provider: a social economy home-help enterprise (EÉSAD), a private business or a community organization. It can also recommend someone hired directly by the person receiving care.

To apply through the public network in Montréal or Laval, contact the CLSC for your area or dial 811, option 2 (Info-Social). According to Santé Québec Laval, no medical referral is needed to make a request.

How a CLSC request works

1. Eligibility reviewOften done by phone: the situation and needs are discussed and the urgency is assessed.
2. Needs assessmentA worker meets the person, often during a home visit. The assessment can take more than one meeting.
3. Intervention planThe services are written into a plan that sets the frequency, the planned hours and the duration. The number of hours granted depends on the needs assessment and each person’s situation.

To be directed to public services, you can also call Services Québec at 514 644-4545 (Montréal region).

When a private service makes sense

You can also go directly to a private agency or business, without going through the CLSC. You then deal directly with the provider. This can suit you if you want to add to the hours received from the public network or set the schedule yourself, for example in the evening or overnight.

Eight questions to ask before choosing

These questions are practical suggestions: they help you compare home care services in Montréal or Laval on the same criteria.

• Who employs the caregivers? Are they the provider’s employees or self-employed workers? Who replaces them when they are away?
• Who supervises the service? Is there a needs assessment before starting, and who does it?
• What does the service include? Hygiene, meals, overnight presence, companionship: ask what is included and what is not.
• Which hours are possible? Days, evenings, nights, weekends, and depending on what availability.
• In which language is the service offered? French, English or both.
• How does billing work? Whether a deposit is required, how often invoices are issued, and whether the invoice is itemized (useful for the tax credit).
• Does the provider hold the required authorizations? A personnel placement agency must hold a CNESST permit: ask for the number.
• What are the limits of the caregiver? A personal support worker (PAB) does not provide nursing care: the provider should tell you clearly what they do and do not do.

The tax credit can ease the cost

Residents of Québec aged 70 and over may be entitled to a refundable tax credit for certain home support services. See our guide: the Québec home support tax credit for seniors.

What Vemaro Support does

Vemaro Support is a private home care service in Montréal and Laval. In brief, here is how it works:

• a free initial assessment, with no obligation, by a supervising nurse;
• personal support workers (PABs) who are salaried Vemaro employees, supervised by a nurse;
• support by day, evening and night, depending on staff availability in your area;
• service in English and in French;
• no deposit and a detailed invoice every two weeks.

PABs do not provide nursing care. See the service in detail.

Sources

• Québec.ca — Home support services (page in French)
• MSSS — Aidez-vous une personne qui a besoin de soutien à domicile ? (2025, in French)
• Santé Québec Laval — Home support (in French)
• Services Québec — Programs and services for seniors (2025 edition, in French)
• CNESST — Mandatory permit for personnel placement agencies (in French)