Our guide will walk you through starting your private home care agency in BC so you know what to expect.

Understanding Private Home Care in British Columbia

A solid understanding of the British Columbian home care industry will give you insights into your clients’ needs, the services you should offer and how to best advertise your business.

Market Demand for Private Home Care in British Columbia

Demand for home care services in British Columbia is on the rise, driven in part by the province’s aging population. By 2041, over-65s are predicted to make up more than 40% of BC’s population.

This is exacerbated by the long lifespans of many British Columbian seniors. According to data collected by Statistics Canada, the life expectancy of a 65-year-old in BC is higher than anywhere else in the country. 

Seniors in British Columbia may need support with basic household tasks, such as bathing and household management, as their mobility decreases. But with the right care services, they can expect to live comfortably at home for many years.

Private home care agencies play a valuable role in improving the quality of life of older British Columbians. As the public home care system struggles to meet demand, your private home care business can help ensure that clients live with dignity and autonomy in their third age.

It’s not just seniors who need home care services, either. With 28.6% of British Columbians living with disability, the province is above the national average. When you start your private home care business, it’s worth considering how you can serve clients from both population groups.

Private Home Care Services for British Columbia’s First Nations and Indigenous Peoples

Around 300,000 people in British Columbia identify as First Nations, Inuit, Métis or Indigenous. They represent a higher percentage of the population in more rural areas of the province.

British Columbia’s Indigenous population faces greater challenges in accessing home care, as well as prejudice and discrimination within the care system. The Canadian Medical Association also highlights the challenge of a “lack of cultural safety and acceptance of Indigenous health and healing models.”

Delivering home care services for Indigenous communities requires cultural sensitivity, education and respect. Caregiver recruitment and training should be conducted with this front of mind.

Providing Private Home Care Services in Canada’s Most Multicultural Province 

British Columbia is the most ethnically diverse province in Canada. It is also incredibly linguistically diverse. 

Roughly one in three British Columbians speak a non-official language as their mother tongue. In urban areas, this figure rises: in the 2021 census, 48% of people in the Metro Vancouver Area reported having a non-official mother tongue. In particular, large sections of the population speak Punjabi, Tagalog, Mandarin and Yue (Cantonese).

With elderly clients less likely to confidently speak English, this presents a major challenge for private home care services. Good communication is at the heart of patient consent and care quality. When recruiting for your private home care agency, it’s worth looking for multilingual caregivers. 

You can also support your older clients by involving their loved ones in their care. Use the ShiftCare Connect portal to share client progress updates, billing details, caregiver schedules and more. 

You can provide login details to your clients’ approved family members and friends so that they can help your clients navigate their care services and make requests for additional services. Communication with family members will help you operate with cultural sensitivity and respect for your clients’ agency.

Creating Your Private Home Care Business’ Legal and Financial Structure

There are four essential steps you need to take before you can begin providing private clients with home care services in BC

1. Choose Your Private Home Care Business Structure 

You can choose from nine different business structures in British Columbia, with most private home care businesses operating as corporations or sole proprietors. Your decision will determine your personal liability, tax obligations, launch process and more, so we recommend speaking with a lawyer or accountant for specialist advice. 

You can also use the Government of British Columbia’s Business Structures Wizard to help you understand the differences between these structures.

2. Request Your Business Name and Register with BC Registries 

Registering your private home care business in British Columbia is a two-part process. First, file a name request on the BC Registries website. You’ll need to pay $30 to do so. Next, register or incorporate your business via My Business Registry.

If you don’t register your business in time, your name request will expire. You’ll then need to pay another $30 fee to request and reserve it again.

3. Apply for Permits and Licences 

British Columbia’s municipalities have varying permit and licence requirements. To find out which ones you need for your private home care agency, check the BizPaL database.

4. Sign up to WorkSafe BC

A WorkSafeBC subscription is mandatory for any business that hires workers.

Building Your Home Care Team

A skilled team is essential to providing high-quality, person-centric care. When recruiting caregivers, look for:

• The right skill sets, from first aid to language skills

• A patient and positive attitude toward clients

• An availability that aligns with your needs

You can use our list of essential interview questions to help you identify the ideal candidates.

Professional Help and Resources for Private Home Care Businesses

EngAge BC

EngAge BC advocates for and represents independent living and private-pay home health operators.

BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA)

The BCCPA provides advocacy, training and events for BC’s continuing care sector. They can also help with your recruitment efforts. 

Don’t forget to also check our exhaustive guide to launching a home care business in Canada for nationwide associations and other resources. 

How do I start a private home care business in BC?

You’ll need a business and marketing plan for a successful company launch. Don’t forget to also follow the above steps to register your private home care business in British Columbia.

Is home care in demand in British Columbia?

There’s a high demand for home care services in BC, driven by the province’s aging population.

Final Thoughts on Starting Your Private Home Care Business in British Columbia

Launching a private home care business requires a passion for helping others and lots of hard work. It also needs a keen eye for detail, as you fill in paperwork, prepare your taxes and schedule staff. 

That’s where ShiftCare can help out. Our home care software is built with private home care agencies in mind. It will help you schedule caregivers, manage client documentation, communicate with clients’ family members, generate invoices and more. 

Try ShiftCare for free.