- A Real Break for Family Caregivers
Respite Care in Ottawa
Time away for you, familiar care for them
Caring for a parent or spouse is meaningful work, and it is also relentless. Respite care gives you a scheduled break — a few hours, a weekend, or a longer stretch while you travel — while a trained, RN-supervised caregiver looks after your loved one at home, following the routines they already know. You get to rest. They stay comfortable in their own space.
- A Caregiver Who Follows Your Loved One’s Own Routine
- Visits From 4 Hours — Time Enough for a Real Break
- The Same Caregiver Wherever Possible, With RN Oversight
- Care Can Usually Start Within Days of Your Consultation
Trusted & Local
Canadian Family-Owned
5-Star Rated
Veterans Affairs Approved
Insured & Background-Checked
Respite Care that gives you a genuine break
Respite care is short-term, planned care that lets a family caregiver rest while someone qualified looks after their loved one. In Ontario it comes in three forms: in-home care, adult day programs, and short stays in a long-term care home. Freiheit Care provides in-home respite. A caregiver comes to your family member’s own home, so nothing about their day has to change except who is helping.
We provide respite care across Ottawa and surrounding suburbs for spouses, adult children and other family members who carry most of the care themselves. Needing a break is not a sign you’re doing it wrong. It’s what keeps the care sustainable.
Call 613-518-8258 for a free consultation — no obligation, no pressure.
- OUR COMMITMENT
Before you step out, while you’re away, and after you're back
Before: We start with a conversation about your loved one’s day — when they eat, how they like things done, what helps when they’re unsettled — and about the break you need. That becomes the plan the caregiver follows.
While you’re away: The caregiver carries on your loved one’s day the way you would, with personal care, meals, conversation and gentle activity, so the routine holds while you’re out.
After: You come home to a clear update on how the day went. If anything about the routine needs adjusting, we adjust it for next time.
Through the night: The caregiver stays in the home, helps with bathroom trips and safe movement, offers calm reassurance if your loved one wakes confused or unsettled, and keeps watch for anything that needs attention.
Morning: You receive a clear summary of how the night went, and the caregiver supports the start of the day or hands over to the daytime routine.
- What a Night Actually Looks Like
A break you spend worrying isn’t a break. Tell us what you’d like to hear about, and when, and we’ll build it into the visit.
- Our Services
What Respite Care can include
Respite is shaped around your family member and the break you need — a standing weekly block,
a weekend away, or one-off cover while you deal with something of your own.
Regular Weekly Breaks
A standing block of time each week, for appointments, rest, work or friends, so the break is something you can count on rather than something you have to arrange each time.
Weekend and Travel Cover
Cover for a weekend, a family event or a trip, so you can be away without worry. Tell us your dates on the consultation call and we’ll confirm what we can arrange.
Personal Care Support
Help with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting and moving safely, delivered with dignity, plus meal preparation and light housekeeping so the household keeps running.
Companionship and Activity
Conversation, cards, music, a favourite show, and accompanied walks where it suits. The kind of company that makes the visit feel like a visit, not a shift.
Dementia and Memory Support
Caregivers who understand that familiar routine and a calm, patient presence matter most. Respite for someone with dementia works best when the day keeps its rhythm.
Nursing Support Where Needed
Registered nurse oversight is part of how we work, and nursing care can be added where your loved one’s needs call for it.
- Knowing Your Options
Respite Care in Ontario comes in three forms — and one may suit your family better than another
In-Home Respite
A caregiver comes to your family member’s home for personal support, meals, companionship and, where needed, nursing. It can be arranged publicly through Ontario Health atHome if approved, or privately through an agency like ours. It suits people who are most comfortable in familiar surroundings.
Adult Day Programs
Supervised group activities at a community centre for a day or part of a week. Publicly funded programs need a referral through Ontario Health atHome, and most charge a fee for each day attended. They suit people who enjoy company and structure, and spaces can be limited, so it’s worth asking early.
Short Stay in a Long-Term Care Home
A temporary stay for people with higher nursing needs when the caregiver needs to be away for more than a day, is in hospital, or is unwell. Stays are limited to 60 days at a time and 90 days per calendar year, and the person pays accommodation costs. These are arranged through Ontario Health atHome.
Many families use more than one — for example, an adult day program on weekdays and in-home respite on evenings and weekends. We’ll tell you honestly which fits your situation, including when it isn’t us.
When did you last have a day to yourself?
If the honest answer is “I can’t remember,” that’s usually reason enough to talk. A short conversation will tell you what a break could look like.
When families call us about Respite Care
A Caregiver Who Hasn’t Had a Break in Months
Caring every day, sleeping lightly, and putting your own appointments and friendships last. A regular break is what keeps care sustainable.
A Trip, Event or Work CommitmentA Trip, Event or Work Commitment
A wedding, a family visit, a work trip or a holiday you’ve put off. A few days of cover can mean you’re able to go.
Your Own Surgery or Recovery
When you’re unwell or recovering, you shouldn’t also be the only person your loved one depends on.
Someone Who Needs Constant Supervision
Caring for a person with dementia or a high fall risk can mean being on alert around the clock. Respite lets someone else take a turn.
A Family Weighing Up Home Care
Respite is a low-pressure way to see how home care feels, for your loved one and for you, before deciding on anything more. There’s no long-term contract.
Recognize your situation?
One honest conversation, no obligation. We’ll tell you what a break could look like.
- Who Respite Care Is For
How to bring up Respite Care with a parent who says they don’t need help
Resistance is common, and it usually isn’t about the caregiver. It’s about losing independence or having someone unfamiliar in the house. A few things tend to help.
Frame it as help for you. Many parents will accept a visitor when it means their child gets to rest, even if they wouldn’t accept help for themselves.
Start small. Begin with one visit built around something easy to say yes to, like a shared lunch or a walk, and let the relationship grow from there.
Keep their routine, and your say. Your parent’s mornings, meals and preferences stay as they are, and your family has a say in who the caregiver is and when they come.
- A Conversation Worth Having
Respite isn’t a step away from caring. It’s what lets you keep going.
How Respite Care Is paid for in Ontario — including the options that aren’t us
Several routes are worth knowing before you commit to anything.
Publicly funded respite through Ontario Health atHome. If your loved one is approved, in-home respite from a personal support worker is provided at no cost to the family. You can reach them at 1-833-515-1234. The trade-offs are real: hours are set by the program, so they may be fewer than you need or fall at times that don’t suit your routine, caregiver consistency isn’t guaranteed, and there can be a wait. If you haven’t contacted them yet, start there before you pay for anything. We’ll tell you the same on the phone.
Family-Managed Home Care Program. Some households also qualify for the Family-Managed Home Care Program, which lets eligible families direct their own funding to a provider of their choice — Freiheit Care is an accepted provider for households who qualify.
Insurance. Some extended health and workplace insurance plans cover part of the cost of home care. Check your policy, and we’ll provide an itemized receipt for any claim you submit. Some families may also be able to claim part of the cost as a tax credit, and a tax professional can confirm what applies to you.
Veterans Affairs Canada. Eligible veterans can receive funded care through VAC. We’re an approved provider and handle the coordination and paperwork directly.
Private respite care. What Freiheit Care provides. You choose the schedule, you get a caregiver matched to your loved one, and RN oversight comes with it. Many families use publicly funded hours as a base and add private hours on top, particularly for evenings and weekends, which public schedules often cover less well.
Visits start at four hours, because building a real relationship and providing unrushed, dignified care matters to us. We give you a transparent, itemized quote after the free consultation, with no hidden fees and no long-term contract.
- Straight Answers on Cost
If publicly funded respite will meet your needs, we’ll say so. We’d rather be the agency you trust than the one you resent.
Respite only works if you trust who's there
A stranger at every visit means re-explaining how your parent likes their tea, where the stairs are tricky and what helps in the evening. A caregiver who returns learns all of it, and your loved one starts to look forward to the visit rather than endure it. That is what lets you relax during your break.
We assign the same caregiver wherever possible, and you have a say in who that is and when they come.
Caregiver turnover is the industry’s biggest quality problem, and the reason is pay. In May 2026, Freiheit Care was certified as a Champion Level Living Wage Employer by the Ontario Living Wage Network — the highest tier in Ontario. We pay above the living wage, because that’s how you keep good caregivers long enough for consistency to matter.
- Why the Same Caregiver Matters
Fair pay → the same caregiver stays → they know the routine → you can actually rest.
- AREAS WE SERVE
Respite Care across Ottawa and
the surrounding region
Ottawa & Surrounding Areas
- Ottawa (city-wide)
- Kanata
- nepean
- Barrhaven
- Orleans
- Gloucester
- Alta Vista
- Sandy Hill
- Manotick
- Kemptville
- Arnprior
- Ottawa (city-wide)
- Kanata
- nepean
- Barrhaven
- Orleans
- Gloucester
- Alta Vista
- Sandy Hill
- Manotick
- Kemptville
- Arnprior
Ottawa & Surrounding Areas
Our caregivers provide respite in family homes wherever you are in the Ottawa area, from busy city neighbourhoods to the suburbs and smaller communities around them.
Bilingual caregivers available — French-language care within our Ottawa-area service area, including Vanier and Orléans.
- Getting Started
What Happens After You Call
A Free Phone Consultation
Call 613-518-8258 or send the form. Tell us about your loved one’s routine and the break you need, and we’ll book a free consultation by phone. No obligation.
We Match a Caregiver and Plan the Routine
We match a caregiver to your loved one’s needs and personality, and write down the routine they’ll follow. You have a say in who the caregiver is and when they come.
Your Break Begins
Care starts on the schedule you choose, usually within days. You’ll hear how it went, and we adjust as needed.
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Respite Care in Ottawa — Your Questions Answered
Respite care is short-term, planned care that gives a family caregiver a break. A qualified caregiver looks after your loved one, most often at home, while you rest, travel, work or deal with your own health. In Ontario it comes in three forms: in-home respite, adult day programs, and short stays in a long-term care home.
Private respite care is priced hourly and depends on how many hours you need per visit, how often, and whether nursing is involved. We give you a transparent, itemized quote after the free consultation, with no hidden fees and no long-term contract. Publicly funded respite through Ontario Health atHome costs the family nothing if approved, and some households also use the Family-Managed Home Care Program or an insurance plan toward the cost of private hours.
In-home respite funded through Ontario Health atHome is provided at no cost to the family for people who are approved. Hours are set by the program, though, and may be fewer than you need or fall at times that don't suit your routine. Private respite care, like ours, is not publicly funded, but some households use the Family-Managed Home Care Program or an extended health insurance plan toward the cost.
Call Ontario Health atHome at 1-833-515-1234 (toll-free in Ontario) or use the online tool on their website. A representative checks eligibility and walks you through the next steps. Your loved one will need a valid Ontario health card. If you haven't contacted them yet, it's worth doing that before you pay for anything.
There are three main types. In-home respite brings a caregiver to your family member's home for personal support, meals, companionship and, where needed, nursing. Adult day programs offer supervised group activities at a community centre for a day or part of a week. Short stays in a long-term care home provide temporary care for people with higher nursing needs. Many families combine more than one.
According to the Government of Ontario, a short stay can last up to 60 days at a time and no more than 90 days in a calendar year. The person receiving care pays accommodation costs such as room and board, and stays are arranged through Ontario Health atHome. If your loved one would rather stay in their own home, in-home respite is the alternative.
Respite visits start at four hours. Building a real relationship and providing unrushed, dignified care matters to us, and four hours is enough time for a proper break, whether that's an appointment, lunch with a friend or an afternoon of rest.
Yes to both. Many families book a standing weekly block so the break is predictable, and others call for a one-off stretch while they travel or recover. Many families also use private hours for evenings and weekends. We can adapt to your needs as they change. Tell us the schedule you need on the consultation call and we'll confirm what we can arrange.
It's common, and it usually eases with time and the right match. Start with one visit built around something your parent enjoys, introduce the caregiver as help for you, and let the relationship grow. Your family has a say in who the caregiver is. If the match isn't right, tell us. We'd rather change the caregiver early than have your parent dread the visit.
We assign the same caregiver, or a small consistent group of caregivers, wherever possible. Consistency is central to how we work. A caregiver who knows your parent's routines, preferences and signals is what lets you actually relax during your break.
Yes. Respite for someone with dementia works best when the day keeps its familiar rhythm and the person caring for them is patient and consistent. Our caregivers are trained in senior care, including dementia care, and we prioritize caregiver consistency. Registered nurse oversight is part of how we work.
Our caregivers are vetted, insured, bonded, police-checked and trained in senior care, and registered nurse oversight is part of how we work.
Yes. Many families start with a single respite visit or a short weekly block to see how it feels, for their loved one and for themselves. There's no long-term contract, so you can adjust, continue or stop as your situation changes.
Yes. The consultation is free, by phone, and carries no obligation. Tell us what's happening and the break you need, and we'll tell you honestly whether and how we can help, including if public services or another option might suit you better.
- WHAT FAMILIES ARE SAYING
Trusted. Loved. Recommended.
★★★★★
Choosing a caregiving agency for a loved one is not an easy decision. After trying a few different options, we were incredibly fortunate to find Freiheit Care. From our very first phone call, we have been treated with kindness, respect, understanding, and professionalism.
The caregivers are skilled, dependable, patient, and genuinely compassionate. They have taken the time to understand and handle my parents' unique needs, routines, and preferences.
★★★★★
Freiheit recently provided respite care in our home to allow my husband and I to take our first trip in 20+ years. They cared for our intellectually disabled son, teenaged daughter and our dog which allowed us to travel without worry. We received timely updates and knew that the care worker had the support of a nurse (if needed)as well as back up personnel. Meals, supervision, and companionship requirements, and detailed care instructions were followed to the letter. Highly recommend Freiheit for respite care.
★★★★★
We wish to extend enormous gratitude to Freiheit Care, who have provided exemplary assistance to us in caring for our dear friend and roommate whose health and welfare has been an enormous worry for us. The care she has received has been kind and extremely effective and we are so very grateful for this remarkable service, which we would highly recommend to others. Thank you so much.
★★★★★
Most of all she told me that she and her
physician- husband (co-owner of the company) were proud of their handpicked "team". Finally, she seemed just kind, just so kind and compassionate... you could hear it in her voice and feel it through the airwaves😊😊What a leader she is!!
Thank you for your passion, Helen!
★★★★★
For the past year and a half we have been receiving health care assistance from Freiheit. Helen, the co-owner, has been very efficient and pleasant to deal with. She quickly located a nurse with all the skills and values we were seeking, who is a great fit with us. She has checked with us a few times to make sure that things are going well and is easy to get in touch with. Her agency has an effective way of checking that her staff are present and prompt, not that we have had any concerns with that.
5.0
Average Rating
2019
Serving Ottawa Since
RN-Led
Clinical Oversight
100%
Vetted & Insured Caregivers
65,000+
Hours of Care Provided
- TAKE THE FIRST STEP
Book a Free Respite Care Consultation
- Our Commitment
Tell Us About the Break You Need
You don’t need a plan in place. Most families call because they’re tired, or because something is coming up — a trip, a procedure, a stretch of caring that has become too much to carry alone.
Tell us about your loved one and the break you have in mind, and we’ll talk through what’s possible — and if another option would suit you better, we’ll tell you that too. No cost, no obligation.
- Registered Nurse Oversight
- Visits From 4 Hours
- Same Caregiver Wherever Possible
- Bilingual Service
- No Obligation Consultation
Call Us Anytime
613-518-8258
Speak directly with our care team. No call centres, no hold music. We’re here when you need us.
Get a Free Consultation
Over the phone, no obligation
Tell us about your situation and we’ll talk through what a better night could look like.
