Staying in Your Home: Help for Seniors and Their Caregivers

Do you want to keep living at home for as long as possible, but need help with meals, housekeeping, or at-home health care? Depending on your age and situation, you may be eligible for services or financial support to lower your expenses or to make your home safer and more accessible.

Staying in your home is your right

If you are renting your home, your landlord cannot ask you to move out because of your age. That would be discrimination. If you have questions about your rights as a tenant, consult our Web guide on rental housing and our article about the housing rights and recourses available to seniors.

A home adapted to your needs

If you have trouble moving around, you may qualify for financial support to make your home safer and more accessible. For example, you could:

• install a ramp,
• widen doorways,
• remodel your bathroom.

The Residential Adaptation Assistance Program from the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ or housing society) offers financial support to help make your home more accessible. This can help you continue living safely in your own home.

Health care at home

You don’t always have to go to a clinic or hospital to receive health care. Free home care services are available across Quebec and may include:

• nursing or medical care,
• psychosocial services,
• physiotherapy,
• end-of-life care.

To access these services, you must contact your local community services centre (CLSC). They will evaluate your needs and help arrange services that are right for you.

Affordable help at home

Many businesses and community organizations offer support services, such as:

• house cleaning and maintenance,
• laundry,
• meal preparation,
• grocery shopping and errands,
• help with paperwork or budgeting,
• accompaniment to medical appointments.

Depending on your age and financial situation, the government may help pay for these services through the Financial Assistance Program for Domestic Help Services, offered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ or health insurance board).

To be eligible, you must meet both of these requirements:

• be registered under Quebec’s public health insurance plan,
• use a government-approved support service provider.

The service provider will help you submit the request for financial support to the RAMQ and guide you through filling out your request. Service offerings and prices vary, so it’s a good idea to compare options.

You can use the government’s online estimator tool to get an idea of how much financial support you are eligible for. If you disagree with the amount the RAMQ grants you, you can request a review of its decision.

Home-delivered hot meals

“Meals-on-wheels” programs can deliver hot meals to your home. These meals are available at low cost to people with reduced autonomy. To find out if this service is available in your area:

• Visit their website (French only).
• From the homepage, click on “Trouver une popote”.
• Enter your postal code to see the options avalible in your area.

Tax credits to lower your expenses

The government offer various tax credits to help reduce your expenses. A tax credit is an amount you can use to lower your taxes. Some tax credits become available once you reach a certain age.

Here are some tax credits that you might find useful:

• “Tax Credit for Home-Support Services for Seniors” for services such as housekeeping, outdoor maintenance, companion services or nursing.
• “Independent Living Tax Credit for Seniors” for equipment to adapt a home, or for a short-term stay in a rehabilitation facility before returning home.
• Tax credit for a “Severe and Prolonged Impairment in Mental or Physical Functions.” A condition must significantly limit the ability of the person cared for to perform basic daily activities.
• The “Canada caregiver credit” for those who support a spouse, partner or dependent family member with a physical or mental impairment.

For more information on tax credits, visit the Revenu Québec website or the Government of Canada’s webpage on deductions and tax credits.