Caring for a loved one at home isn’t always about round-the-clock help. Sometimes, you just need someone to step in for a few hours — to give you a break, help with meals, or assist with bathing and mobility. But finding the right person, even for short shifts, can be stressful.
You might be:
- Worrying about leaving your parent alone while you run errands
- Feeling burnt out from juggling work, parenting, and caregiving
- Struggling to convince your loved one to accept outside help
- Unsure where to find trained, trustworthy caregivers — even for just a few hours
That’s exactly why hourly care exists.
What Is Hourly Home Care?
Hourly care means you choose the time, the service, and the level of support your loved one needs — whether it’s just one hour a week or a few hours a day. It’s flexible, affordable, and personalized.
Common hourly services include:
- Personal care (bathing, grooming, dressing)
- Meal prep and feeding assistance
- Companionship (especially important for seniors living alone)
- Mobility help (walking, transfers, fall prevention)
- Medication reminders
Some families use it for temporary recovery support after surgery. Others use it to help parents stay safe and independent while aging at home. And for many, it’s just a few hours of peace of mind.
Why Families Come to Me for Hourly Help
Bringing someone into your home — even for just a few hours — isn’t easy. Most families I speak with feel unsure at first. They’ve been trying to manage everything on their own, often for longer than they should’ve.
If that sounds like you, you’re not alone.
I’ve seen how much of a difference a few hours of support can make. Maybe your parent needs help with personal care, or maybe you just need a bit of space to run errands or catch your breath. Either way, you shouldn’t feel guilty for asking for help.
I’ve worked with families in Markham, Toronto, and Richmond Hill who felt the same way — tired, overwhelmed, but still wanting to do what’s best for their loved one. Hourly care gave them the space to do that.
“I didn’t even know you could get help for just a few hours. At first, I thought I had to choose between full-time care or nothing. But when I finally reached out, it was such a relief. Just having someone come in twice a week to help my mom shower and prep lunch has lifted so much off my shoulders. I can breathe again.” — Sandra, daughter of a client in Markham
You Don’t Have to Do It All
Hourly care is meant to relieve your stress and improve your loved one’s quality of life — without committing to full-time care. If you’re feeling tired, stretched, or unsure what to do next, this could be your first step forward.