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Aruga Senior Home Care Blog

The Aruga blog is your resource for compassionate, practical insight on senior home care in Calgary. From expert tips and caregiver support to research-informed guidance and creative engagement ideas, we share what families need to navigate aging with dignity, connection, and confidence.

Caregiver supporting a senior at home while learning about Home Care Coverage Calgary

How Home Care Coverage Calgary Works Through the CDHCI Program


Many Calgary families are surprised to learn that their home care services may be fully or partially funded through Alberta’s Client Directed Home Care Invoicing program.


Understanding home care coverage in Calgary can make the process feel much simpler and less overwhelming. This program gives seniors and individuals with care needs more choice and flexibility by allowing them to select the provider that feels right for their family.


Aruga Home Care is an authorized CDHCI provider, which means your approved care hours can be delivered by our warm and compassionate team while Alberta Blue Cross handles invoicing behind the scenes.


Here is what Calgary families need to know.


What is the CDHCI program in Alberta?


Client Directed Home Care Invoicing (CDHCI) is an Alberta Health Services program that allows eligible Albertans to choose their own approved home care provider. Instead of being assigned a rotating list of caregivers, you select the team you trust.


Through CDHCI, families receive:

  • funded home care hours each month

  • consistent care from the provider they choose

  • clear communication and smooth scheduling

  • billing handled directly through Alberta Blue Cross


This program supports aging at home, reduces stress for families, and promotes continuity of care.


How Aruga Home Care supports Calgary families through CDHCI


As an authorized CDHCI provider in Calgary, Aruga can deliver the care outlined in your approved plan. That means:

  • You choose Aruga as your preferred home care provider.

  • We provide the compassionate, relationship-based support your loved one needs.

  • We manage invoicing directly with Alberta Blue Cross.


You receive personalized home care. We take care of the paperwork.


Who qualifies for funded home care in Calgary?


Eligibility is determined through an Alberta Health Services assessment. Many Calgary seniors and adults with health or mobility challenges qualify for CDHCI support. Families are often surprised to learn they meet the criteria.


If you are unsure, you can contact Calgary Home Care through Health Link at 811 to request an assessment.


What services can be covered through CDHCI?


Depending on your assessment, funded hours can be used for:


These services help seniors remain at home safely, comfortably, and with dignity.


Why Calgary families choose CDHCI


Families appreciate the CDHCI program because it provides:

  • choice in who delivers care

  • clarity on funded hours

  • consistent support from familiar caregivers

  • peace of mind knowing invoicing is handled

  • flexibility to select a provider aligned with their loved one’s needs


Many families choose Aruga for our warm, relationship-centred approach that blends practical support with meaningful connection.


Aruga’s approach to CDHCI home care in Calgary


Once your approval comes through, Aruga makes the process simple. Our team:

  • matches you with a caregiver who fits your loved one’s personality and care needs

  • provides gentle, supportive home care during your funded hours

  • keeps families informed and engaged

  • invoices Alberta Blue Cross directly for CDHCI services


You receive high-quality care without navigating billing or paperwork.


How to get started in Calgary


If you think your home care could be covered, we can guide you through the next steps. Many Calgary families find the process easier than expected.


You can:


Care should feel supportive and uncomplicated. You do not need to navigate this alone.

 
 
 
  • Writer: Aruga Home Care
    Aruga Home Care
  • Nov 25
  • 2 min read
Senior receiving gentle companionship that strengthens emotional connection

Understanding Dementia brings clarity, comfort, and more meaningful moments.


Dementia can feel unfamiliar at first, but learning about it often brings reassurance. Families discover that even as some abilities shift, many strengths remain. With understanding and the right support, daily life can still hold joy, connection, and purpose.


This guide shares encouraging insights that help caregivers see dementia through a more compassionate and hopeful lens.


Life continues to hold meaning, connection, and joy


People living with dementia continue to experience emotion, humour, creativity, and love. They respond deeply to warmth, music, nature, movement, and familiar routines. When families shift their focus toward what remains strong, relationships often feel more grounded and connected.


Memory is only one part of the experience


Most people think dementia is all about forgetting, but many abilities stay intact for a long time. Emotional memory, long-term stories, intuition, rhythm, and personality often remain beautifully present.


Recognizing these strengths helps families communicate more effectively and create more successful moments throughout the day.


A supportive environment brings out the best in someone


Calm surroundings, clear pathways, soft lighting, and simple routines can make daily life easier and more enjoyable.


These thoughtful adjustments help someone feel safe and confident, and they often reduce frustration. Small environmental changes can have a surprisingly positive impact.


Feelings stay strong even when words feel difficult


Studies show that while the brain may process language differently, emotional responses remain deeply active. A gentle tone, a reassuring presence, or a moment of shared laughter can change the entire mood of the day.


People may not always remember events, but they often remember how those moments made them feel.


Creativity can unlock connection in new ways


Art, music, movement, and storytelling allow expression without relying on perfect memory or language. These activities often spark joy, curiosity, and confidence. Many families are surprised by how much creativity brings someone to life.


Creative engagement supports cognitive health, emotional well-being, and meaningful connection. It is one of the most powerful tools we use at Aruga.


Every person’s journey is unique


Dementia does not look the same for everyone. Each person has a lifetime of habits, preferences, cultural roots, and personal strengths. When care is personalized, it becomes more comfortable, more effective, and more respectful.


At Aruga, we design support around the individual, not the diagnosis. We honour who they are and who they have always been.


Small, thoughtful choices can create better days


Caregiving becomes more rewarding when approached with presence and intention.


Families often find comfort in simple practices:

  • Keep routines steady and predictable

  • Offer warmth, patience, and reassurance

  • Celebrate small victories

  • Use short, calm sentences

  • Bring in music, creativity, or familiar activities

  • Focus on what feels good today

  • Ask for support when you need it


These small acts build trust and set the tone for more peaceful days.


How Aruga supports families on the dementia journey


Aruga offers dementia support that is grounded in compassion, creativity, and connection. Our caregivers understand the emotional landscape of dementia and help clients feel safe, valued, and engaged.


We walk with families through uncertainty and help transform daily care into moments of comfort and dignity.


If your family would like guidance or support, our team is here to help. Book a free consultation today.

 
 
 
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Aging is a natural part of life and something to be embraced. It is a time for reflection, connection, and growth. With the right support, it can also be a season filled with purpose, joy, and independence.


At Aruga Home Care, we see aging as an art. It blends compassion, creativity, and care. Aging gracefully means living with dignity, finding joy in the everyday, and feeling supported by people who truly care.


Independence Starts at Home


Home is where people feel most at ease. It is where routines, familiar surroundings, and memories bring comfort. Staying at home allows seniors to maintain independence while receiving care that respects their choices and individuality.


Personalized home care helps make that possible. It provides the right amount of support while encouraging people to stay active and involved in daily life. Sometimes that means help with meals or light housekeeping. Other times, it is companionship, a walk together, or someone to share conversation with.


The goal is always the same: to help seniors live well in the place they love most.


The Power of Personalized Care


Every person is unique, and their care should be too. Personalized care begins with listening and understanding what matters most to each individual. For some, that means extra support with daily routines or companionship throughout the day. For others, it may mean help staying active, social, and engaged in the community.


Home care is not only for those with complex health needs. It also supports active seniors who want to stay independent and continue doing the things they love. A few hours of help each week can make daily tasks easier and create more time for activities that bring happiness, like visiting friends, enjoying hobbies, or spending time outdoors.


Personalized care also supports families who need time to rest and recharge. Our Respite Care services provide temporary relief for family caregivers, offering peace of mind that their loved one is receiving thoughtful, compassionate care while they take a well-deserved break.


Our team brings compassion, creativity, and connection into every visit. Each caregiver takes time to listen, engage, and support in ways that feel personal and meaningful. Through patience and genuine care, they build trust and help every person feel confident, valued, and independent.



Care is more than physical support. It also means nurturing the mind and spirit. Creative activities like art, music, dance, and storytelling can lift mood, improve memory, and spark joy.


Research that Inspires Connection


Research from the National Institute on Aging shows that creative activities support brain health and improve emotional well-being. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that older adults who participate in regular creative programs experience better overall health and stronger social connections.


At Aruga, we see this in the smiles and energy that come from a song, a brushstroke, or a shared laugh. These small moments of creativity bring people together and remind them of their strength and individuality.


A No-Rush Philosophy


Meaningful care takes time. Every visit should allow space for connection, comfort, and calm. That is why caregiver visits at Aruga are never rushed. Each visit is a minimum of three hours, giving caregivers time to engage meaningfully and provide thoughtful, person-centred care.


This approach helps clients feel seen, heard, and valued. For families, it brings peace of mind knowing care is being delivered with presence and compassion.


Embracing the Art of Aging Gracefully


Aging gracefully is about living fully, finding joy in small moments, and staying connected to what matters most. With the right care and encouragement, aging can be a beautiful chapter filled with creativity, confidence, and connection.


At Aruga Home Care, we are honoured to support families through this stage of life. Through compassionate, person-centred care and creative engagement, we help each person experience the art of aging gracefully.


 
 
 
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