Home helper for seniors: errands and tidying

Older adults, and their adult children who live far away and want reliable help for a parent.

Hourly rate, often with a minimum visit length, plus mileage or a travel fee. Regular weekly clients give steady income; some people offer small monthly packages.

• Patient and respectful with older people
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Organized with schedules and lists
• Comfortable driving in all seasons

• Commercial general liability insurance, and ask your insurer about driving clients or using your own vehicle for business
• Clients often expect a police record check with vulnerable sector screening
• Keep to non-medical help; personal care and medication rules differ by province, so check your provincial regulator
• Handling clients' money and bank cards: keep receipts and written records
• Home-based business licence may be needed from your municipality, and check whether you must register for GST/HST once revenue grows
• Winter driving and weather can disrupt your schedule

Startup costs are estimates, typically around $300 to $1,500, depending on your insurance, record check, vehicle use and basic supplies. Your province and how far you travel to clients will affect where you land in that range.

Monthly revenue is an estimate, typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on how many clients you take on, your hourly rate and how much you work. The estimate assumes at least about 8 hours a week.

Check commercial general liability insurance, and ask your insurer about driving clients. Clients often expect a police record check with vulnerable sector screening. Keep to non-medical help, check your provincial regulator on personal care and medication rules, and keep written records when handling client money.