When Maria noticed her father was eating dinner alone every night and spending most of his days in front of the television, she wasn’t looking for a nurse or a caregiver trained in medical tasks. She was looking for someone to sit with him, get him talking, and let her know if something seemed off. That’s companion care in a nutshell, non-medical support built around connection rather than clinical need. Here’s what companion care typically includes and what it costs.
What Is Companion Care?
Companion care is a type of non-medical in-home support focused on companionship, everyday tasks, and general wellbeing rather than hands-on physical assistance or medical treatment. It’s often the first type of help families bring in when a senior is largely independent but could use some extra support and social connection.
Companion caregivers typically help with:
- Conversation and companionship, including shared meals, hobbies, or simply keeping someone company.
- Light housekeeping, like tidying up, laundry, or dishes.
- Meal planning and preparation.
- Transportation to appointments, errands, church, or social activities.
- Medication reminders (not administering medication).
- Grocery shopping and other errands.
- Keeping family members updated on any changes in mood, appetite, or day-to-day wellbeing.
Companion care generally does not include:
- Bathing, dressing, or toileting assistance.
- Medication administration or injections.
- Wound care or other hands-on medical tasks.
- Skilled nursing or therapy services.
Companion Care vs. Personal Care vs. Home Health Care
These terms often get used interchangeably, but they describe different levels of support:
- Companion care focuses on social connection and light daily tasks, without hands-on physical assistance.
- Personal care adds help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), the basic self-care tasks like bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting.
- Home health care is medically necessary care ordered by a doctor and delivered by a licensed home health agency, such as skilled nursing or physical therapy.
Because companion care is non-medical, Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans generally do not cover it. Medicare’s home health coverage is limited to medically necessary skilled care, and specifically excludes homemaker services and personal care provided on their own.
For a closer look at where companion care ends and personal care begins, including the specific ADLs that mark that shift, see our guide, Personal Care vs Companion Care: What’s the Difference?.
Signs Companion Care Might Be a Good Fit
- Your loved one lives alone and seems increasingly isolated or withdrawn.
- Meals are being skipped or replaced with less healthy options.
- Household tasks and errands are piling up.
- You, or another family caregiver, need occasional relief without arranging medical-level care.
- Your loved one is generally healthy and mobile, but family members worry about long stretches alone.
- You live far away and want someone checking in regularly.
What Does Companion Care Cost?
Companion care costs vary quite a bit depending on where you live, whether you hire through an agency or independently, and how many hours of care are needed each week. National estimates for non-medical in-home care commonly fall somewhere in the $22 to $33 per hour range, though local rates can run higher or lower. Treat this as a general benchmark, not a quote. Because companion care doesn’t require the training or certification that personal care or home health aides need, it’s often priced toward the lower end of that range, though this varies by agency and region.
- Hourly rates typically decrease somewhat for care packages covering many hours per week, or for live-in arrangements.
- Agencies generally charge more than independently hired caregivers, but include background checks, supervision, and backup coverage if a caregiver is unavailable.
- Rates in the Southeast and other lower-cost-of-living regions tend to fall toward the lower end of national estimates.
How Families Pay for Companion Care
Because Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical companionship, families typically rely on a mix of the following:
- Private pay, the most common way families cover companion care.
- Long-term care insurance, if the policy includes coverage for non-medical home care or homemaker services. A licensed insurance professional can confirm what an individual policy allows.
- VA Aid and Attendance, a tax-free monthly benefit for eligible wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need regular help with daily activities. In 2026, maximum monthly amounts are up to $2,424 for a single veteran, $2,874 for a married veteran, and $1,558 for a surviving spouse. Not every companion care situation meets the benefit’s care-need requirements, so eligibility is worth checking directly with the VA.
- State Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, which in some states help cover non-medical homemaker or companion-level support for eligible low-income seniors. Availability and covered services vary significantly by state.
- The National Family Caregiver Support Program, which connects family caregivers with respite care, counseling, and other supports through local Area Agencies on Aging.
For a fuller breakdown of financing options for in-home care generally, see our guide on how to pay for in-home care.
Finding the Right Companion Care Provider
Once you’ve decided companion care fits your family’s needs, take some time comparing providers.
- Decide between an agency and an independently hired caregiver. Agencies typically handle background checks, employment taxes, and backup coverage; hiring independently can cost less but shifts that responsibility to the family.
- Ask about caregiver screening, training, and how backup coverage works if a caregiver is sick or unavailable.
- Request references and, where possible, arrange a trial visit before committing to a regular schedule.
- Contact your local Area Agency on Aging through the Eldercare Locator for referrals to local companion care programs, some of which may offer subsidized options.
Finding Companion Care Near You
Companion care can be a simple, meaningful way to keep an aging loved one connected, supported, and safe at home, without the cost or intensity of medical-level care. If your family is ready to start comparing local companion care providers, browse Senioridy’s in-home care directory to find options near you.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or medical advice. Care costs, benefit amounts, and program rules are subject to change and vary by state and provider. Medicare Advantage plans may cover home health services differently than Original Medicare, so check with your specific plan for details. For free, personalized Medicare guidance, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor at shiphelp.org, available in every state at no cost. For questions about long-term care insurance, VA benefits, or Medicaid eligibility specific to your situation, families may want to consult a licensed insurance professional, elder law attorney, or benefits counselor.