Many Calgary families don't realize they have a choice when it comes to government-funded home care. The Client Directed Home Care Invoicing (CDHCI) program gives eligible Albertans the power to choose their own private home care provider — while Alberta Health Services continues to fund the care.
This guide walks you through the entire process: from checking eligibility to your caregiver's first visit.
💡 Quick Summary
Client directed home care in Calgary means you choose your own CDHCI-authorized provider (like Sagewell). AHS funds the approved hours. Alberta Blue Cross pays the provider directly. You receive professional care at no out-of-pocket cost.
What is Client Directed Home Care in Calgary?
Client directed home care refers specifically to the CDHCI program (Client Directed Home Care Invoicing) — an Alberta Health Services initiative that puts families in control of their funded home care.
Under the standard AHS system, the government assigns a provider and manages your schedule. Under CDHCI, you choose who comes into your home, when they come, and which provider delivers your care — all within your AHS-approved hours.
This is especially important for Calgary families who:
- Need a caregiver who speaks a specific language (Punjabi, Hindi, Arabic, Tagalog, etc.)
- Want a culturally matched care experience
- Need flexible scheduling that fits around family routines
- Prefer a consistent, relationship-based caregiver rather than rotating AHS workers
Who is Eligible for Client Directed Home Care in Calgary?
Eligibility for CDHCI in Calgary mirrors the requirements for standard AHS home care. You must:
- Be an Alberta resident with a valid Alberta Health Care card
- Have unmet home care needs that cannot be met by family or community supports alone
- Have been formally assessed by AHS as requiring home care services
- Prefer to self-direct your care by choosing a private authorized provider
There is no minimum or maximum age. CDHCI is available to seniors, adults with disabilities, individuals recovering from surgery, and anyone assessed as needing home care by AHS.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Client Directed Home Care in Calgary
Call AHS Health Link at 811
Tell the operator you'd like to request a home care assessment. You can self-refer — you don't need a doctor's referral. A Home Care Case Worker will be assigned to you in the Calgary zone.
Complete Your In-Home Assessment
An AHS caseworker visits your home (or the hospital if you're being discharged) to assess your medical history, daily living needs, mobility, medications, cognitive status, and fall risk. This determines how many CDHCI hours you're approved for each month.
Ask About the CDHCI Program
Once your need is confirmed, ask your caseworker specifically about the CDHCI program. Tell them you'd like to choose your own provider. Not all caseworkers proactively mention CDHCI — you may need to ask.
Choose Sagewell as Your Provider
Tell your caseworker you'd like Sagewell Home Care as your CDHCI-authorized provider. We are registered with Alberta Blue Cross and can be found in the CDHCI provider directory. Our team will contact you to arrange the care plan.
We Create Your Personalized Care Plan
A Sagewell care coordinator meets with you to discuss your preferred schedule, language needs, caregiver preferences, and specific care requirements. We match you with the most suitable caregiver from our team.
Care Begins — We Handle All Billing
Your caregiver begins visits on your schedule. Sagewell invoices Alberta Blue Cross directly for your approved hours. You receive professional home care at no cost for those hours.
What Happens at the AHS Assessment?
Many families feel uncertain about the AHS assessment — here's what to expect:
- A Home Care Case Worker (typically a nurse or social worker) visits your home
- They use a standardized assessment tool called the RAI-HC (Resident Assessment Instrument — Home Care)
- They ask about daily activities: bathing, dressing, cooking, medication management, mobility
- They assess cognitive function and fall history
- They review your social support network (family, friends, community resources)
- Based on the assessment, they determine the number of approved monthly hours
⚠️ Tip for Families
Be thorough during the assessment. Describe your loved one's needs on their worst days, not their best. AHS allocates hours based on what is assessed — if you understate needs, you may receive fewer hours than required.
How Much Does Client Directed Home Care Cost in Calgary?
For approved CDHCI hours, the cost to families is zero. Alberta Blue Cross pays Sagewell directly at the current rate of $33.61/hour.
Your monthly approved hours are determined by your assessment. If your needs exceed your approved allocation, additional hours can be arranged privately.
| Hours per Month | Cost to Family (CDHCI) | Approx. AHS Funding |
|---|---|---|
| 20 hours | $0 | ~$672/month |
| 40 hours | $0 | ~$1,344/month |
| 60 hours | $0 | ~$2,017/month |
| 80 hours | $0 | ~$2,689/month |
Can I Switch from Standard AHS Care to Client Directed Home Care?
Yes — and this is one of the most common reasons families contact Sagewell.
If your loved one already has standard AHS home care but you'd like more control over who provides it, you can request to switch to CDHCI at any time. Simply:
- Call your AHS caseworker and request a reassessment for the CDHCI program
- Inform them you'd like to choose Sagewell as your provider
- Sagewell takes over from your current AHS provider — we coordinate the transition
There is no financial penalty for switching, and your approved hours remain the same.
Why Families Choose Sagewell for Client Directed Home Care in Calgary
- Authorized CDHCI provider — registered with Alberta Blue Cross across all Calgary zones
- Multilingual team — Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Tagalog, French and more
- Quick placement — most families have a caregiver within 24–48 hours
- Full Calgary coverage — NW, NE, SW, SE, Airdrie, Canmore, Grande Prairie
- Free consultation — we walk you through the CDHCI process at no charge
- Zero paperwork for families — we handle all billing, claims, and administration
Have Questions About Client Directed Home Care?
Our team can check your CDHCI eligibility over the phone, explain the assessment process, and connect you with the right caregiver — all for free.
Sagewell is a fully authorized CDHCI provider serving all of Calgary — NW, NE, SW, and SE. We handle direct billing to Alberta Blue Cross, multilingual caregiver matching, and same-week care starts for most families.
Explore our CDHCI home care services →