08/25/2026
Which to Choose Comfort Keepers or AHS Home Care
With both companies, the costs are covered covered if you qualify for AHS or Client Directed Home Care funding (CDHC), so you don’t have any out of pocket expenses.
Contact us for more information 403 228 0072
Client Directed Home Care (CDHC) gives you the choice to select your own provider for home care that provides services in your area.
You do not have to have the AHS Home Care Program only. You now have the right to choose your care provider.
To access CDHC call 811 and tell them you want to be assessed for CDHC with Comfort Keepers and you need to be assigned a Case Manager. If You have a case manager you can call and ask them to transfer the hours your entitled to, with CDHC, to Comfort Keepers.
If you want to change from AHS Provided Home Care Services or not use AHS Services don’t let anyone or thr Case Manager tell you that you cant. It is your right to choose.
More information in the link below.
https://www.ab.bluecross.ca/resources/government-programs/client-directed-home-care.php
What are the differences between Comfort Keepers Home Care and AHS Home Care Providers.
Comfort Keepers
Comfort Keepers focuses on helping people remain independent at home. Services typically include:
Comprehensive Care Plan
Now serving clients in Calgary, Strathmore, Okotoks, Langdon, High River, Chestermere
You pick the times and days that suit you for care
We have a minimum 2 hour visit so you don’t feel rushed and can get the help with things you need assistance with
Consistency of caregivers so you can build trust and a bond with your caregiver
We have staff to cover sickness of regular caregivers so you don’t lose care.
Personal care (bathing, dressing, toileting)
Meal preparation
Light housekeeping
Medication reminders (not medication administration unless nursing is involved)
Transportation and errands
Companionship
Dementia and Alzheimer's care
Palliative Care
Accompanied appointments
Outings with drivers
Rehabilitation Support
Respite care for family caregivers
24-hour care if needed
Been in business since 2005
The main distinguishing feature is our Interactive Caregiving philosophy, which emphasizes keeping clients physically, mentally, and socially engaged rather than simply completing tasks for them.
At Comfort Keepers we also focus more on the holistic needs of our clients, for example housekeeping and nutritious meal preparation are not services offered by AHS contracted providers, they arrive, do the required task and leave, we spend time with our clients to make sure they are taken care of physically AND mentally.
AHS Home Care
AHS Home Care is intended for people with assessed medical and health care needs. After an assessment by a case manager and nurse, AHS develops a care plan that may include:
Nursing care
Personal care
Wound care
Palliative care
Rehabilitation support
Respite services
Assessments for supportive living or long-term care
Short-term equipment loans in some situations
The amount of support is determined by clinical need, so families have less flexibility over scheduling and service duration than with private care. They could also have numerous caregivers which means clients get less consistency with who visits them.
Which is better?
It depends on your priorities: Both care options are available with funds from the Client Directed Home Care Program run through Blue Cross and the Alberta Government.
Choose AHS Home Care if your primary concern is medically necessary care that's publicly funded and you're comfortable with services being based on short visits to complete the assessed need, limited services and flexibility and possibly different caregivers for every visit.
Choose Comfort Keepers if you want greater flexibility, consistent caregivers, companionship, client needs met holistically, a wider variety of services, longer visits, or services beyond what AHS Home Care provides.
Consider using both if you qualify for AHS funding but want to select your own provider through Client Directed Home Care. https://www.ab.bluecross.ca/resources/government-programs/client-directed-home-care.php
