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Family-Managed Home Care

At Nurse Next Door, we proudly partner with Ontario’s Family-Managed Home Care (FMHC) program to empower eligible clients and their substitute decision-makers with personalized, high-quality support. We believe that home are should go beyond simply addressing daily tasks, it should celebrate life.

By combining the financial flexibility of the FMHC program with our signature Happier Aging™ philosophy, our Care Teams create highly customized care plans designed to ring joy, purpose, and peace of mind. We ensure that patients can live safely, confidently, and comfortably in the place they love most, home.

How Family-Managed Home Care Makes Things Easier

Once approved by Ontario Health atHome, the Family-Managed Home Care (FMHC) program is designed to offer greater flexibility and less administrative stress for patients and their families.

Choice and Control. You are in the driver's seat. You choose your provider and determine exactly how and when the care plan is delivered.
Direct Funding. Instead of relying on a pre-assigned agency, you receive funding directly to purchase the specific services or employ the exact caregivers that fit your needs.
Complete Administrative Ownership. You (or a substitute decision-maker) have the freedom to handle all related administrative tasks, including managing providers, coordinating employment requirements, and reporting on funding.
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Who is FMHC Designed For?

Based on your Ontario Health atHome assessment and authorization, Family-Managed Home Care is designed for eligible patients in the following groups:

Children with complex medical needs
Adults with acquired brain injuries
Eligible home-schooled children
Patients in extraordinary circumstances (as individually assessed by Ontario Health atHome)

How Family-Managed Home Care Can Help You

Why choose Nurse Next Door as your FMHC care provider?

While FMHC allows families to hire independent contractors directly, doing so makes the family a legal employer responsible for payroll deductions, CRA remittances, worker's compensation (WSIB), and finding backup coverage when a worker is sick.

When you choose Nurse Next Door as your agency provider under FMHC:

Zero Employer Liability: We employ, vet, train, and insure all Personal Support Workers (PSWs) and Registered Nurses (RNs/RPNs).
Guaranteed Backup Care: If your regular caregiver is ill or on vacation, we step in with qualified backup support so care is never interrupted.
Simplified Expense Reporting: We provide itemized, compliant invoices that make monthly financial reporting to Ontario Health atHome fast and stress-free.
Perfect Match: We match caregivers to your loved one’s personality, routine, and medical needs.

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What services can Nurse Next Door provide under FMHC funding?

Depending on the care plan established by Ontario Health atHome, your FMHC funding can be applied toward:

Personal care (bathing, grooming, dressing, mobility assistance)
Specialized nursing care (wound care, medication administration, ventilator support)
Meal preparation and light housekeeping related to the client's care
Respite care for primary family caregivers
Companionship and daily living support

Does Nurse Next Door charge more than the government-funded rate?

No. Nurse Next Door aligns directly with Ontario’s FMHC program guidelines. We match the government capped hourly rates, ensuring that families are not required to pay out-of-pocket top-up fees above the approved government rates for covered hours under their FMHC care plan. Your approved funding stretches as far as intended, without hidden surcharge gaps.

How do I get approved for FMHC through Ontario Health at Home?

Getting approved involves a four-step process working alongside your regional care team:

Contact Ontario Health atHome: If you do not already have a Care Coordinator, call Ontario Health atHome (or request a referral through your family doctor or hospital discharge team) to schedule an initial home care assessment.
Request an FMHC Assessment: Inform your assigned Care Coordinator that you wish to participate in the Family-Managed Home Care / Self-Directed Care program.
Clinical & Administrative Review: A Care Coordinator will assess your loved one’s clinical needs to determine eligible hours and assess whether you or an SDM meet the administrative requirements to manage funding.
Sign the FMHC Agreement: Once approved, Ontario Health atHome creates an individualized care plan, outlines your monthly budget envelope, and provides an agreement for the contract holder to sign.

Who is eligible for Family-Managed Home Care in Ontario?

To qualify for FMHC, clients must meet specific clinical criteria established by Ontario Health atHome. The program is generally available to four client groups:

Children with complex medical needs
Adults with acquired brain injuries (ABI)
Home-schooled children with high medical needs
Individuals in extraordinary clinical circumstances

In addition to clinical eligibility, the family or Substitute Decision-Maker (SDM) must demonstrate administrative capability to manage care arrangements, track funding, and submit simple monthly reports.

What is the Family-Managed Home Care (FMHC) program?

The Family-Managed Home Care (FMHC) program, administered by Ontario Health at Home, gives eligible clients and their families direct control over their care budget. Rather than receiving care through an automatically assigned agency, approved families receive direct funding to select, schedule, and manage their own home care service providers, allowing for greater flexibility and personalized care plans.

Find a Caregiver Near you.

Looking for specialized Alzheimer’s care or dementia care services? Nurse Next Door offers compassionate, personalized in-home care to help your loved one stay safe and comfortable in a familiar
surrounding.

Use our location search tool to find caregivers in your area.

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