When someone you love needs support at home, the decisions can feel overwhelming.
It’s about more than services or schedules; it’s about trust. You want a home care provider who sees the whole person, treats your loved one with the same respect they’d offer their own family, and brings peace of mind to everyone involved.
This guide shares nine thoughtful questions to help you navigate the process of choosing a home care provider in Calgary and find the kind of support that feels right for your family.
Table of Contents:
9 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Home Care Provider in Calgary
Choosing the right home care provider means asking the right questions. From understanding services to evaluating fit, here are 9 essential questions to guide your decision.
Choosing the right home care provider means asking the right questions. From understanding services to evaluating fit, here are 9 essential questions to guide your decision.
1. What kind of care do you provide, and who is it designed for?
2. What’s your approach to dignity, culture, and emotional well-being?
3. How do you create a care plan that reflects someone’s unique routine and preferences?
4. Who will be coming into the home, and how are they chosen?
5. What training and oversight do your care aides receive?
6. How do you handle communication and updates with families?
7. What happens if something changes, or if we’re not satisfied?
8. What’s your availability and response time?
9. What sets your care apart from other home care providers in Calgary?

Save or share this list of essential questions when evaluating home care providers in Calgary.
Q1: What kind of care do you provide, and who is it designed for?
Start by understanding the provider’s range of services, from companionship and household help to personal care or in-home nursing. Make sure the provider supports the type of care your loved one needs today and can adapt if things change.
You can explore the types of support HeartNest Care offers here.
Q2: What’s your approach to dignity, culture, and emotional well-being?
The right provider sees the whole person. Ask how they honour personal routines, cultural traditions, and emotional well-being as part of everyday care. Their answer should reflect respect, not routine.
Q3: How do you create a care plan that reflects someone’s unique routine and preferences?
Care should feel tailored to the individual, not just based on health needs, but also personality, habits, and comfort. Ask how they get to know a person’s habits, values, and preferences, and how they shape care around those details from the very beginning.
Q4: Who will be coming into the home, and how are they chosen?
Trust, connection, and consistency matter. Find out how care aides are screened, matched, and trained. Do they offer continuity? Are preferences considered? The right match can make all the difference.
Q5: What training and oversight do your care aides receive?
It’s important to know what kind of support the team receives behind the scenes. Are care aides trained in elder care, dementia care, or other specialties? Is there ongoing supervision or mentorship?
Exploring home care options in Calgary for yourself or someone you love? Connect with our team today. We’re here to listen, offer guidance, and help you understand what kind of support might be the right fit. Speak With a Care Coordinator →
Q6: How do you handle communication and updates with families?
Good care involves more than what happens in the home. Ask how the provider communicates with families or health teams, especially if you live out of town or aren’t present for every visit.
Q7: What happens if something changes, or if we’re not satisfied?
Whether it’s a shift in health or a mismatch with a care aide, situations can change. You’ll want to know how flexible the provider is and how they respond to concerns or evolving needs.
Q8: What’s your availability and response time?
Emergencies happen. Ask how quickly they can begin services, how they respond after hours, and whether you’ll be able to reach a real person when you need to.
Q9: What sets your care apart from other home care providers in Calgary?
This final question invites them to share what truly makes them different beyond the brochure. Their answer should leave you with a sense of how they’ll show up for your loved one and for every family member involved.
Learn more about the values and story behind HeartNest Care here.
Why Choosing the Right Care Provider Matters
Home care happens in the place someone feels most vulnerable, and it shapes their daily experience. The right provider will offer more than assistance: they’ll bring safety, consistency, and a sense of calm to everyday life.
In a city like Calgary, where elder care options vary widely, asking the right questions helps ensure your loved one receives the kind of support that fits not just in services, but in spirit.
A Decision That Deserves Care
This isn’t a decision to rush—and the right provider won’t ask you to.
Take the time to ask your questions, reflect on the answers, and pay attention to how you feel along the way.
When a provider listens closely, respects your concerns, and helps you feel at ease, that’s when you know you’re in the right place.
If you’d like to talk things through, we’re here.
Speak with a Care Coordinator →
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the type and frequency of care. Some families start with just a few hours a week, while others need daily or overnight help. We’re happy to walk you through the options.
No referral is needed. If something feels harder than it should, we’re here to talk it through and help you understand what kind of support might be right.
Some home care services may be covered or subsidized by Alberta Health Services depending on your eligibility. Albertans can call 811 to be connected with the home care office in their zone and find out which services are available. If you need more flexibility or additional supports beyond what AHS provides, the HeartNest Care team is always here for you, ready to go the extra mile.
We’ll work with you to understand your situation and timeline. In urgent cases, we will go above and beyond to ensure services can begin within a few days.