Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations
Also called: Home helper, Family caregiver, Home-care worker, Live-in caregiver, Home support worker, Home support attendant, Home health care worker, Family worker - home care, Live-in caregiver - seniors, Personal aide - home support, Respite worker - home support, Personal assistant - home care
Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations, provide personal care and companionship for seniors, persons with disabilities and convalescent clients. They provide care in the client's residence, where they may also reside. They are employed by home care and support agencies, private households, or they may be self-employed.
Main tasks
- Provide care and companionship for individuals and families during periods of incapacitation, convalescence or family disruption
- Administer bedside and personal care to clients such as aid in ambulation, bathing, personal hygiene, and dressing and undressing
- Plan and prepare meals and special diets, and feed or assist in feeding clients
- May perform routine health-related duties such as changing non-sterile dressings, assisting in the administration of medications and collecting specimens under the general direction of home care agency supervisor or nurse
- May perform routine housekeeping duties such as laundry, washing dishes and making beds
How to become one
Some secondary school education is usually required. Home management experience may be required. College or other courses in home support may be required. First aid certification may be required. Completion of a training program in care of the elderly, care of persons with disabilities, convalescent care or in a related field may be required.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $39,975 a year The middle half earn $34,808 to $46,800.
- About 67,400 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 70,100 are projected by 2033. (+4%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: strong risk of shortage.
Related jobs
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Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03