Understanding Ontario Health atHome and Family Managed Home Care
Navigating the home care system in Ontario can feel overwhelming — especially when you are trying to arrange support for a loved one quickly. Ontario Health atHome (OHAH) is the provincial organization responsible for coordinating publicly funded home and community care services. Understanding how OHAH works, and how the Family-Managed Home Care (FMHC) option fits into the picture, can help families make informed decisions about the care their loved ones receive.
What Is Ontario Health atHome?
Ontario Health atHome — formerly known as Home and Community Care Support Services and the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) — is the single point of access for publicly funded home care in the province. OHAH connects people with services including personal support, nursing visits, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and other community-based supports.
When a family contacts OHAH, a care coordinator is assigned to assess the client's needs. Based on that assessment, a care plan is developed and services are arranged — typically through contracted home care agencies. The services are publicly funded, meaning there is no direct cost to the client for the approved level of care.
How the Referral Process Works
The process typically begins with a referral. This can come from a hospital discharge planner, a family doctor, or the family themselves. Once the referral is received, OHAH schedules an assessment — either in person or by phone — to determine the client's care needs. After the assessment, the care coordinator outlines what services are available and arranges for them to begin.
Wait times can vary depending on the region and the type of service required. In some cases, services may begin within days; in others, families may need to arrange interim private care while waiting for publicly funded support to start.
What Is Family-Managed Home Care (FMHC)?
Family-Managed Home Care is an alternative to receiving care through an OHAH-contracted agency. Under FMHC, eligible clients receive a monthly funding allocation based on their assessed care needs. The family then uses that funding to hire and manage their own caregivers directly.
This model gives families significantly more control. Instead of accepting whichever caregiver the agency sends, families can choose someone they trust — someone who is a good fit for the client's personality, preferences, and cultural background. Scheduling is also more flexible, as the family sets the hours and routines that work best.
Who Is Eligible for FMHC?
To be eligible for FMHC, a client must first be assessed by OHAH and approved for home care services. From there, the client or their substitute decision-maker can request the self-directed option. OHAH determines the funding amount based on the assessed level of need.
FMHC is available across Ontario, though the process and timelines may differ by region. It is important to communicate clearly with your OHAH care coordinator about your interest in the self-directed model early in the process.
Responsibilities Under FMHC
While FMHC provides more flexibility, it also comes with administrative responsibilities. The family or client is responsible for:
- Recruiting, hiring, and scheduling caregivers
- Managing payroll, including source deductions and remittances
- Ensuring compliance with employment standards
- Tracking hours and submitting documentation to OHAH
- Arranging backup care if the regular caregiver is unavailable
For many families, these administrative tasks can feel daunting — which is where a home care partner like Filipino Homecare can help.
How Filipino Homecare Supports FMHC Families
Filipino Homecare works with families enrolled in FMHC to take the stress out of self-directed care. We provide experienced, reliable caregivers — matched to the client's needs and preferences — while helping families navigate the paperwork, scheduling, and coordination that FMHC requires.
Our team understands the FMHC process inside and out. We can help with caregiver recruitment, scheduling, backup coverage, and communication with OHAH. Families get the control and flexibility of self-directed care without having to manage everything on their own.
Getting Started
If you or a loved one is receiving home care through OHAH — or is about to be assessed — ask your care coordinator about the Family-Managed Home Care option. Then reach out to Filipino Homecare to discuss how we can support your family through the process. We serve families across all of Ontario and are here to make self-directed care work for you.