It can be common for seniors who live alone to experience feelings of isolation or loneliness. Through regular visits, home companion care offers older adults the opportunity to connect with a caregiver who can provide company and conversation, fun activities, and support with chores. Although most families pay for a home care companion out of pocket, there are seniors who qualify for financial support. Families can find companion care through a home care agency or through a variety of local and national organizations. Let’s explore more about the cost, how to know it’s time for in-home companion care, and the ways to find the best fit for your loved one.
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Home companion care is defined as a service that provides fellowship, emotional support, and socialization for older adults or people with disabilities who live alone. A companion offers company and may engage in activities with their client, such as having conversations, playing games, managing house chores, and providing transportation.[01]
“A care companion can provide the obvious daily assistance often needed by older adults, possibly preventing falls and other accidents,” says Carol Bradley Bursack, an experienced family caregiver and author of Minding Our Elders.
“Often overlooked, though, are the significant benefits of socialization. Having a companion to interact with can benefit an elder’s mental and emotional health by decreasing depression brought on by loneliness. Additionally, socialization is one of the key aspects of preserving cognitive function.”
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Home care companions tailor services to meet each client’s needs and preferences. These often include the following tasks or activities:[01]
In-home companion care is an important part of a senior’s care. A home care companion supports an independent senior’s mental health and overall well-being. This differs slightly from personal home care, which focuses on assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), and home health care, where a medical professional supports a senior’s health care needs.
Personal home care focuses on providing nonmedical services. Home care aides assist seniors with bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility. There is some crossover with personal home care and companion home care. For example, both personal care aides and home care companions may provide assistance with cleaning, cooking, and errands.
Home health care is different from home care and companion home care because it includes medical services for a senior in their home. Home health care is typically prescribed by a doctor after a hospital stay due to an injury or illness. These services are provided by a licensed medical professional, such as a registered nurse, occupational therapist, or physical therapist.
Examples of home health services include:[02]
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In-home companion care costs vary by state, but the national median is $30 per hour.[03]
Most families pay for home care out of pocket, but Medicaid may pay for some care services for eligible seniors. Medicare covers temporary home health care to assist with recovery from an injury or illness. However, Medicare does not typically pay for a home care companion unless it’s part of a physician-directed home health care plan.[02]
Read more:What Is Private Pay Home Care?
A home care companion may be beneficial for seniors who live alone, no longer drive, or don’t live near family and may be isolated.
Studies have shown that social isolation in seniors can lead to unhealthy habits, stress, and an increased risk of developing health conditions.[04] It may be time to consider home care for your loved one if you’re concerned and have noticed the following changes in their appearance or behavior:[05]
Many families hire a home care companion through a home care agency or find a private caregiver through a referral service or personal recommendation. There are also local and national organizations that offer companionship programs for seniors. For example, over 90% of community Meals on Wheels programs also offer companionship opportunities.[06]
Many communities also have programs sponsored by local churches, universities, and senior centers that aim to promote social connection among seniors. Some city and state governments may offer companionship programs through offices, such as the department of aging, health services department, or senior services department.
If your family is interested in finding a home care companion through a home care agency, A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors can offer guidance and help you explore local providers that fit your loved one’s needs.
United States Department of Labor. (2013, September). Fact sheet # 79A: Companionship Services under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Home health services.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Malani, P. & Piette, J. (2019, March 4). Loneliness and health. Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation at the University of Michigan.
Patel, R. (2022, May 6). 4 Signs Your Loved One Might Need a Companion. The National Council on Aging.
Meals on Wheels America. (2023, June). Providing meaningful social connections to combat isolation and loneliness.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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