Types of care
Companion care
Companion care is non-medical home care that focuses on company and everyday help. A caregiver may talk, cook, run errands, drive to appointments, and do light housekeeping. It does not include medical treatment. It suits older adults who are lonely or need a little help but can mostly manage alone.
Why it matters for your family
Loneliness affects mood and health, so a regular visitor can matter as much as help with chores. A companion can also notice changes, such as skipped meals or new confusion, and tell the family. Companion care has limits. Most companions do not give hands-on help with bathing or lifting. They may remind someone to take medicine, but they do not give it. Many families start with companion care and add personal care as needs grow. The National Institute on Aging notes that Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance generally do not pay for these services, so most families pay privately.
Source: nia.nih.gov
Related terms
- Personal carePersonal care is hands-on help with daily self-care, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating, and moving around.
- Hourly careHourly care is home care booked by the hour instead of by the day or live-in arrangement.
- Medication reminderA medication reminder is a prompt that tells a person it is time to take a medicine they already have.
- Private payPrivate pay means a family pays for care directly from its own money.
- Aging in placeAging in place means staying in your own home as you get older.
- Home careHome care is non-medical help for people who live at home, such as bathing, dressing, meals, housekeeping, errands, and company.
