In-home care services
Companion care for seniors: what it is, what it costs and how to choose
Companion care is friendly, non-medical company and everyday help for an older adult who is mostly independent but lonely, isolated or no longer safe to drive or shop alone. A caregiver visits on a regular schedule, so a parent has someone to talk with, eat with and get out of the house with.
What a companion caregiver does
A companion caregiver is there for presence and practical help, not hands-on personal care. Visits are usually a few hours at a time, a few times a week.
- Conversation, games, puzzles, music, photos and hobbies
- Walks, gardening and getting out to church, the library or a senior center
- Rides to appointments, the grocery store and errands
- Planning and cooking meals, and eating together
- Reminders to take medicines that are already set out, and to drink water
- Keeping an eye on safety, and letting the family know if something changes
Who companion care is for
Families usually start here when a parent lives alone after a spouse dies, has stopped driving, or is spending most days in front of the television. It also helps a spouse who is a full-time caregiver and needs a few hours to run errands or rest.
If your loved one needs help bathing, dressing or moving safely, they need personal care, which many agencies provide along with companionship.
How to choose a companion care agency
Ask for the agency's state license number and check it with your state regulator. Ask whether caregivers are employees or contractors, how they are screened, and whether you can meet the caregiver before the first visit. Good agencies try to send the same person each week, because the relationship is the point of this service.
What companion care costs
The national median for in-home care is about $35 an hour (CareScout 2025), roughly $3,033 a month for 20 hours a week and $6,067 for 40 hours. Companion care is usually priced the same as other non-medical care, and agencies commonly set a minimum visit of two to four hours. Rates by state are on our cost of care page, and the paying for care guide covers private pay, long-term care insurance, VA benefits and Medicaid waivers.
Find in-home care agencies near you
Enter a city or ZIP code, or browse every state. Each listing shows its public rating and, where the state publishes a roster, the license number and the date we checked it.
Questions about companion care
Is companion care the same as home health care?
No. Companion care is non-medical help with company and everyday tasks. It does not include nursing or therapy.
Can a companion caregiver drive my parent?
Many can, in their own car or yours. Ask the agency about its driving policy, auto insurance and whether caregivers are cleared to drive clients.
How many hours a week do most people book?
It varies widely. Many families start with two or three visits of three or four hours and adjust as needs change.