- Small business ideas
- Canada
- Senior companion care
How to start a senior companion care business in Canada
Everything you need: what it costs, what you can make, what Canada asks for, and every step from your first idea to your tenth customer.
The prices and costs in this guide are estimates for Canada: researched US figures converted to Canadian dollars by price levels. Registration fees and taxes are Canada's own.
A good fit if you're caring, patient and dependable
Companion care is non-medical help for older adults who want to stay in their own homes: conversation, meals, errands, rides and a friendly check-in. Families often book the same hours every week, and the need is growing as the population ages.
You'll like it if
- You're patient, warm and a good listener
- You're reliable: families count on you showing up
- You have a clean driving record and a car
- You'd find helping someone stay at home meaningful
Think twice if
- You'd rather not handle sensitive family situations
- You can't commit to regular weekly hours
- You want to give medical or hands-on care without the right license
- Losing clients you've grown close to would be very hard
From CA$952 to start
Start lean with the essentials and upgrade as customers come, or set up fully from day one.
| What | Cost |
|---|---|
| InsuranceFirst year of general and professional liability, plus a bond | CA$600 |
| Background checkA check on yourself that families can see | CA$60 |
| First aid and CPR courseAdult first aid, CPR and AED | CA$80 |
| Registering your businessFree as a sole trader; more to form a company | CA$200 |
| Cards and flyersFor senior centers, churches and doctors' offices | CA$12 |
| Total | CA$952 |
Once you're running: about CA$70 a month, plus about 10% of what you earn. Insurance and phone every month, plus fuel and card fees for each hour of care.
Work out your own numbers
Move the sliders to match your plans. The chart shows a first year that builds up as word gets around.
Typical in Canada: CA$25–CA$50 per hour, 10–40 hours a week once established.
10–15 hours a week
30–40 hours a week with a few regular clients
Caregivers you hire, where your state allows
11 steps to your first customers
Each step says what it costs and how long it takes. Most owners get through them in a few weeks.
- 1
Check your state's rules first
Some states register or license even one-person companion businesses, and many require background screening. Find out what Canada asks before you take a client.
- Companion versus personal care rules
- Registration or license
- Background screening
- 2
Check the demand near you
See which home care agencies serve your area and what they charge. Many have minimum visit lengths that leave room for a flexible independent companion.
- Search "companion care near me"
- Note agencies and their rates
- Talk to a senior center
- 3
Choose your name
Pick a warm, trustworthy name. Some states don't allow words like "health" or "nursing" for companion services. Make sure no one in Canada already uses it.
- 3–5 name ideas
- Check your state's naming rules
- Check the domain
Get name ideas for your businessFind a name - 4
Register your business in Canada
Most owners start as a sole proprietor and register a business name with their province; incorporating costs more and keeps business debts separate.
- Incorporate federally: CA$200
- 5
Get your Business Number (BN)
Your business's tax number from Canada Revenue Agency, for taxes and banking.
- Register with Canada Revenue Agency
- Open a business bank account
- 6
Sort out GST/HST
You must register for GST/HST once your sales pass CA$30,000 a year.
- Know when to register for GST/HST
- Keep records of income and costs
- Set money aside for income tax
- 7
Get insured
Insurance protects you if something goes wrong on a job. Get quotes from two or three insurers.
- General liability
- Professional liability
- A fidelity bond
- Business use of your car
- 8
Get checked and trained
Families are trusting you with someone they love. A background check and a first aid and CPR course are the minimum; dementia awareness training helps too.
- Background check
- First aid, CPR and AED course
- Dementia awareness
- 9
Set your rates and services
Charge by the hour with a minimum visit, and list clearly what you do and don't do. Regular weekly visits work best for everyone. See the prices below.
- Hourly rate and minimum visit
- What's included
- Weekend and holiday rates
- 10
Put your business online
Adult children often search for care from far away. A site with your story, services, rates and reviews helps them choose you.
- Website with your services
- A way to book a free visit
- Google Business Profile
Describe your business and PressUp builds your websiteBuild your website - 11
Get your first clients
Senior centers, churches, doctors' offices and elder law attorneys all meet families who need help. One trusted client often leads to their friends.
- Senior centers and churches
- Doctors and care managers
- Ask every family for a review
Ask your customers for reviews by email with PressUpSee how
What Canada asks for
Registering, taxes, and what this business needs. Check the details with each authority: rules change.
Incorporate federally
Filed online. You then register the corporation in each province or territory where it does business, for that place's fee.
Know the limits of companion care
Hands-on help with bathing, dressing or toileting is personal care and usually needs a higher license than companionship.
What to buy first
Buy the "must haves" to start. Add the rest when customers pay for them.
3 packages that sell
Simple choices make it easy to say yes. Most customers pick the middle one.
Hourly companion care
- Company and conversation
- Light meals and tidying
- Errands and appointments
Half-day visit
- Lunch together
- An outing or errands
- A note for the family
Regular weekly care
- The same companion every time
- Set days and times
- Monthly update for the family
How to get your first customers
You don't need an ad budget. These work for new owners almost everywhere.
Google Business Profile
Families search "companion care near me". Reviews from other families matter more than anything.
FreeSenior centers and churches
Offer a free talk or volunteer. People hire someone they've met.
PartnershipDoctors and care managers
Geriatric care managers, discharge planners and elder law attorneys refer families every week.
PartnershipReviews
Ask families to share how you've helped. Trust is the whole business.
With PressUp ReviewsRegular weekly visits
A set schedule helps your clients feel secure and keeps your income steady.
Repeat incomeA month from now, you could be open
Set up
- Check your state's rules
- Register your business
- Buy insurance
Get ready
- Get a background check
- Take first aid and CPR
- Write your service agreement
Go live
- Website with your services
- Google Business Profile
- Visit senior centers
First clients
- Offer free meet-and-greet visits
- Aim for 2 or 3 regular clients
- Ask for reviews
Common questions
Do I need a license for companion care in Canada?
It depends on your state. Some states register or license even one-person companion businesses, others only license agencies that give hands-on personal care. Check with your state health or social services department before taking clients.
What's the difference between companion care and personal care?
Companion care is company, meals, light housework, errands and rides. Personal care is hands-on help with bathing, dressing or toileting, which usually needs more training and a different license.
Does Medicare pay for companion care?
Usually not. Most families pay privately, and some use long-term care insurance or veterans' benefits. Ask families how they plan to pay at the first visit.
Can I start part-time?
Yes. Many companions start with one or two regular clients a few days a week and grow from referrals.
Costs and earnings are estimates from the sources below, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the authorities named in this guide. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
Sources
- CareScout: Cost of Care survey (non-medical caregiver national median, 2025)
- Care.com: Companion care pay rates
- DavidStar Home Care: Home care cost in Broward County, FL (2026)
- Nana Cares: Cost of in-home companion care in Indianapolis, IN
- Loving Homecare: Cost of in-home care in California (2026)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Home health and personal care aides
- Insureon: Personal care aide insurance cost
- Checkr: Pricing (personal checks)
- CPR1: First aid, CPR and AED courses
- GotPrint: Business cards
- Florida AHCA: Homemaker and companion services registration
- California Department of Social Services: Home care services application fees
- Care Quality Commission: Personal care (regulated activity)
Similar ideas in Canada
Errand service
Run errands, grocery runs and local deliveries for busy families, professionals and seniors.
House cleaning
Clean homes on a regular schedule, plus deep cleans and move-out cleans.
Meal prep and personal chef
Cook healthy meals for busy people, in their own kitchens or in a licensed kitchen for pickup and delivery.
Ready to start your senior companion care business?
Describe it in a sentence. PressUp helps you name it, register it and put it online.