Full-Time adult day care centre

Families paying privately, provincial or regional home and community care programs where the centre qualifies, Veterans Affairs Canada for eligible veterans, and some private insurers.

Daily or monthly fees per participant, with add-ons such as meals, transport or extra care. Income depends on keeping the centre well filled and staffing it correctly.

• Care, nursing or social services background
• Managing and scheduling staff
• Budgeting and record keeping
• Building trust with families and referral partners

• Licensing or registration requirements differ by province and territory; confirm before spending on premises
• Fire, building, accessibility and public health inspections for the site and kitchen
• Commercial general liability and professional liability insurance, plus property cover
• Staffing costs, qualifications, vulnerable sector checks and WCB/WSIB coverage
• Slow filling of places can strain cash flow for the first months, so keep a reserve
• Duty of care for participants with health or dementia needs, including medication rules
• In Quebec, check French-language and provincial program requirements

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on the leased premises, accessibility fit-out, kitchen, staffing before places fill and insurance. Keep a cash reserve, since places can fill slowly in the first months.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on how many places you fill, your fees and whether any funding programs apply. Plan on at least about 40 hours a week to run a full-time centre.

Licensing or registration differs by province and territory, so confirm it before spending on premises. Also check fire, building, accessibility and public health inspections, insurance, staff qualifications and vulnerable sector checks, and French-language rules in Quebec.