Affordable Homecare: CDHCI

Most people are shocked to learn that staying at home is often the most affordable care option available. In fact, many of our clients pay less than $250 per week out-of-pocket to remain in their homes. That’s compared to $484 per week for a standard, publicly subsidized long-term care bed. The reason? Alberta’s Client Directed Home Care Invoicing (CDHCI) program.

The CDHCI program provides $33.61 per hour in funding based on the individual’s assessed need for support with daily living activities like bathing, mobility, medication, and even household tasks such as laundry. It also covers respite care so family caregivers can take a much-needed break.

Importantly, CDHCI is not income-tested. Anyone with an Alberta Health Card can qualify, regardless of financial position. But there’s a catch: navigating the system can be confusing, and many families who aren’t prepared for the AHS assessment end up receiving fewer hours—or are denied altogether.

In this article, we’ll explain how to apply for CDHCI, what to expect during the assessment, how quickly funding can begin, and how to prepare effectively to maximize the hours awarded.

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How Do You Apply?

Start by calling AHS Home Care at 403-943-1920 and request an assessment for the CDHCI program. You’ll need the name, birth date, and Alberta Health Card number of the person needing care.

An intake worker will then ask questions to determine if an assessment is warranted. These often include:

• Do they need help bathing?
• Can they dress themselves?
• Do they need support using the washroom?
• Are they managing their medications independently?

Be honest, but don’t downplay the situation. Many families answer based on the help already being provided. For example, if your dad is physically capable of taking his medications but only takes them when your mom puts them in front of him, and you say he doesn’t need help, you are likely underselling his needs. Instead, clarify that he does need help—and that someone is already providing it.

If the intake team identifies a need, a case manager will be assigned to schedule an in-person assessment. If the situation is urgent, let them know. They may be able to expedite the process.

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How Quickly Can You Expect Funding?

From the initial call to funding approval, expect a few weeks to a month and a half. A general rule: if the assessment happens before the 15th of the month, funding usually starts on the 1st of the following month.

In urgent cases, the timeline may be faster—but only if you clearly communicate the urgency.

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What Happens at the Assessment?

The assessment is conducted by an AHS case manager and takes about 2–3 hours. They use a standardized tool called the interRAI Home Care Assessment, which evaluates the person’s needs, strengths, and preferences.

Based on this assessment, the case manager can award hours in three categories:

• Personal Care – Support with dressing, bathing, toileting, eating, medication, etc.
• Homemaking – Limited support for tasks that impact hygiene and health (e.g. laundry).
• Respite – Relief for family caregivers to prevent burnout.

Note: You can only receive homemaking or respite hours if you’re also awarded personal care hours.

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How to Prepare for the Assessment

HomeFree can’t attend the AHS assessment with you, but we can help you get ready. We offer a free AHS Assessment Preparation Guide, available to anyone, even if you are not yet a client.

Before the assessment, think about specific situations where the applicant has needed help. Examples of when things went wrong—such as a fall, a missed dose of medication, or difficulty getting to the bathroom—can help the case manager understand the real level of need, especially if the person being assessed tends to minimize their challenges.

One of the most common mistakes families make is answering questions based on an average or good day. Instead, answer based on the worst days. If your dad needs help dressing every morning and your mom provides it, then he does need help, even if it’s not immediately obvious. If that support is not clearly described, it won’t be factored into the awarded hours.

It is important for family members to be present during the assessment and to speak up if the answers being given don’t reflect reality. This can feel uncomfortable, especially if your loved one is trying to maintain a sense of independence. But unless the case manager hears the truth, they won’t be able to approve the level of support that’s actually needed.

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We Are Here to Help

At HomeFree, our mission is to help Albertans thrive at home for life. That starts with making care affordable and accessible—and that means helping you unlock the funding that’s available to you.

Whether or not you choose to work with us, we’re happy to send you our free AHS Assessment Guide and to invest our time to help you prepare. 

Call us at 403-902-2180 to get your free guide.