For many Downsizers, the goal isn’t just to move — it’s to move smartly. You want a home that fits your lifestyle today but also supports the way you want to live in the years ahead. And for a growing number of people, that means choosing a home where they can comfortably age in place.
But aging in place doesn’t mean doing everything alone. There’s a wide range of support available, both public and private, and knowing the difference can help you plan with confidence rather than scrambling later. We’ve seen how much smoother the transition is when people understand their options early on. Let’s walk through what’s available, what each type of support looks like, and how to decide what’s right for you.
Public Support: What’s Available Through Ontario’s Health System
Publicly funded home care in Ontario is delivered through Ontario Health atHome (formerly Home and Community Care Support Services or HCCSS). This is the system that provides government-funded services to help people stay safely at home.
What Public Care Typically Includes
Public services focus on essential needs, such as:
Personal support workers (PSWs) for help with bathing, dressing, or mobility
Nursing care for wound care, medication management, or post-hospital recovery
Occupational therapy and physiotherapy
Social work or mental-health support
Care coordination to help you navigate the system
These services are free and based on assessed need. A care coordinator determines how many hours you qualify for, and services are scheduled accordingly.
The Benefits of Public Care
No out-of-pocket cost
Access to regulated health professionals
Helpful for medical needs or recovery after surgery
A good foundation for people with stable, predictable care needs
The Limitations to Be Aware Of
This is where many Downsizers are surprised. Public care is helpful, but it’s not designed to cover everything.
Common limitations include:
Limited hours — often just a few visits per week
Short visits — sometimes 30–45 minutes
Scheduling constraints — you don’t choose the time
No help with housekeeping, meal prep, errands, or companionship
Public care is a great starting point, but most people find they need additional support to truly age in place comfortably.
Private Support: Filling the Gaps and Personalizing Your Care
Private home-care services offer far more flexibility and customization. This is where seniors and their families often find the support that makes day-to-day life easier, safer, and more enjoyable.
What Private Care Can Include
Private care covers everything public care doesn’t, and often with more consistency:
Longer or more frequent PSW visits
Help with cooking, cleaning, laundry, and household tasks
Medication reminders
Transportation to appointments
Companionship and social visits
Overnight or live-in support
Specialized dementia or mobility care
You choose the schedule, the caregiver, and the level of support.
The Benefits of Private Care
Full control over timing and frequency
Consistency — often the same caregiver each visit
Holistic support, not just medical
Flexible hours, from one hour to 24/7
Ideal for couples, especially when one partner needs more care than the other
The Considerations
Private care is paid out of pocket, typically $28–40 per hour or $50–60 per visit in urban areas like Toronto, so it requires budgeting. But for many Downsizers, even a few hours a week can make a meaningful difference in comfort and independence.
How Downsizing Fits Into Aging in Place
Downsizing isn’t just about reducing square footage. It’s about choosing a home that supports the life you want.
Many Downsizers choose homes that:
Have fewer stairs
Offer walk-in showers and accessible layouts
Are closer to family, transit, or medical services
Are part of communities with social activities and amenities
Allow for private care workers to come and go easily
You can age in place in a private home (like a condo or bungalow) or in a retirement community. Retirement communities suit those without a big social network, as they provide built-in social events, activities, and people around for connection. In contrast, if you already live in a condo with many older neighbours and friends, staying there maintains your established social life while aging in place independently. A well-chosen home can reduce the amount of care you need and make the care you do receive more effective.
Blending Public and Private Care: The Most Common Approach
Most people don’t choose one or the other. Rather, they combine both.
A typical setup might look like:
Public care for medical needs
Private care for daily living support
Family or friends filling in the social and emotional gaps
This blended approach gives Downsizers the best of both worlds: essential medical support plus the personalized help that makes aging in place feel comfortable and dignified.
Aging in place is absolutely possible, and downsizing can be the first empowering step toward making it happen. The key is understanding the support available to you and planning ahead,
rather than waiting until a crisis forces quick decisions. When you know what public care provides, where private care fills the gaps, and how your next home can support your independence, you’re not just downsizing. You’re designing the next chapter of your life with clarity and confidence.