There is a publicly funded long-term care system for individuals with an assessed need, whether it is home care, public housing or special-care homes. Personal care homes, while monitored and regulated by Saskatchewan Health, are outside of the publicly funded system and provide another care option for individuals to access, when they do not require or want to access the publicly funded home care, public housing, or special-care home system.

Personal care homes are licensed and monitored by Saskatchewan Health.

Homes must meet standards regarding resident care, food served, admission agreements, safety, etc. according to The Personal Care Homes Act, Regulations, and Licensees' Handbook.

A personal care home licence can be amended, suspended or cancelled if the licensee does not operate in accordance with the personal care homes legislation.

A team of personal care home consultants conduct regular inspections and investigate all complaints. When inspections are conducted, the consultant will interview a number of residents in the home. Resident records (e.g. care plans, assessments, medications, medical appointments, progress notes and specialized care training) are randomly chosen and followed through from beginning to end. The consultant will determine if the care provided to the resident reflects the care needs identified on the resident's record and the resident's current state of health. Interviews with the personal care home staff, health region assessors and the resident's supporters may also be conducted as part of the inspection process.

Contact a consultant at 787-1715 (Regina) or 933-5843 (Saskatoon), and they will send you an intake package, which includes a PCH application. 

The applicant must submit to the Personal Care Homes Program, Saskatchewan Health, a completed personal care homes application package which includes:

• Application form for the person applying for the licence,
• Criminal record check for the licensee and every person (18 years of age and over) who would be living in the personal care home, and who is not a resident,
• Current Standard First Aid Certificate,
• Current Food Service Sanitation Certificate,
• Three character references,
• Evidence of attendance at a Personal Care Homes Orientation,
• Zoning approval from the municipality,
• Satisfactory fire inspection,
• Drawings of the potential personal care home,
• Insurance,
• Evidence of the completion of a minimum of a 16 hour course in the provision of personal care that is recognized by the ministry,
• Satisfactory fire sprinkler inspection (if applicable),
• Satisfactory fire detection system report (if applicable),
• Satisfactory references from other jurisdictions where care has been provided,
• Evidence of ownership or right to access the property,
• Satisfactory food premises inspection (if applicable),
• Incorporation documents (if applicant is a corporation),
• Other information that may assist in assessing if a licence should be issued, and 
• Other information relating to business plans, etc. is required from homes that plan to accommodate 21 or more residents.

NOTE: Additional screening tools are currently under development.