--- title: "Companion Care vs Personal Care: What Each Level Does" description: "Companion care vs personal care: see what each level covers, from company and errands to bathing and toileting, and how to match the level to your parent." url: https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/guides/companion-care-vs-personal-care/ publisher: HomeCare.com phone: 800-974-3458 start: https://care.homecare.com/?source=homecare.com --- Guide: Choosing care # Companion Care vs Personal Care: What Each Level Does and Does Not Do Companion care gives company, light housekeeping, meals, rides and reminders. Personal care adds hands-on help with bathing, toileting, dressing and moving safely. HomeCare.com calls these Level One, personal companion care, and Level Two, advanced companion care. Neither level gives medication or medical treatment. Updated October 15, 20267 min readBy HomeCare.com 01 ## Level One: personal companion Company, household help, errands, medication reminders, and help with grooming, dressing and mobility. 02 ## Level Two: advanced companion Everything in Level One, plus hands-on bathing, toileting, transfers and support for dementia, fall risk and wandering. 03 ## Always non-medical Neither level gives medication, wound care or skilled nursing. Caregivers remind, they do not administer. 04 ## Match the need, then review Pick the level by what your parent cannot do alone. Review it when health changes. On this page 1. What is the difference between companion care and personal care? 2. What does companion care include? 3. What does personal care include? 4. What do neither of them do? 5. Which level does my parent need? 6. Can the level change over time? 7. How much do companion and personal care cost? 8. What should I look for in a caregiver? 9. What if my parent says no to help? 10. How do the two levels fit with other services? 11. Next step Questions about care for your family? [800-974-3458](tel:+18009743458) ## What is the difference between companion care and personal care? Companion care is about company and everyday help. Personal care is about hands-on help with the body. Both are non-medical. The line between them is physical care: bathing, toileting and moving safely. The Alzheimer’s Association splits in-home help into companion care (“help with supervision, recreational activities or visiting”) and personal care (“help with bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, exercising or other personal care”). It also lists homemaker help and skilled care. HomeCare.com groups its services into two levels: What to compare Level One: personal companion care Level Two: advanced companion care Best for Social support and light help Mobility challenges, cognitive decline or higher personal care needs Company and activities Yes Yes Household help and meals Yes Yes Errands and rides Yes Yes Medication reminders Yes (not given) Yes (not given) Grooming, dressing, mobility support Yes Yes Hands-on bathing, toileting, hygiene Not part of this level Yes Bed-to-chair transfers and walking assistance Not listed Yes Dementia and Alzheimer’s support Not listed Memory-stimulating activities and structured routines Fall-risk and wandering safety Not listed Yes Respite for family Not listed Yes Medical treatment None None HomeCare.com says advanced care “may assist with complex personal care needs, but no medical treatment.” You can read each service on its page: [companion care](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/companion-care/) and [personal care](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/personal-care/). ## What does companion care include? Companion care includes friendly company and help with routine tasks. It fights loneliness and keeps a person active. It is the lightest level of support. HomeCare.com describes companion care as non-medical support for companionship, emotional well-being and routine tasks, from a trained non-medical caregiver. At Level One, that means: - Conversation, games, reading and walks together - Light housekeeping, laundry and meal preparation - Grocery shopping, rides to medical appointments and errands - [Medication reminders](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medication-reminder/), but the caregiver does not give the medicine - Help with grooming, dressing and mobility Companion care suits a parent who can manage the toilet and shower alone but is lonely, forgets meals or can no longer drive. NIA lists loneliness and social isolation among the signs that an older adult may need extra support. A regular visitor can change a parent’s week. ## What does personal care include? Personal care includes hands-on help with the body and daily routines. It is for people who cannot do these things safely alone. At HomeCare.com, this is Level Two, advanced companion care. Level Two includes everything in Level One, plus: - More hands-on help with [bathing](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/bathing/), [toileting](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/toileting/) and hygiene - Safe transfers, such as bed to chair, and walking help - Cognitive support for dementia or Alzheimer’s, including memory-stimulating activities and structured routines - Fall-risk and wandering safety, including a safe home - Respite care so family caregivers can rest These tasks are the core of [activities of daily living](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/activities-of-daily-living/). NIA lists them as bathing, dressing, grooming, using the toilet, eating and moving around, such as getting out of bed and into a chair. NIA says a relative, friend or trained aide could help with them for a short time each day. ## What do neither of them do? Neither level gives medical care. This is the most important limit to understand. Caregivers help and remind. They do not treat. HomeCare.com says its care is non-medical. Its caregivers do not provide: - Medication administration (they can remind, not give) - Wound care - Skilled nursing - Therapy - Hospice care For those, ask your parent’s doctor about a home health agency. Our guide to [home care vs home health care](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/guides/home-care-vs-home-health-care/) explains how the two work together. A home health aide from a home health agency works under a different plan than a non-medical caregiver. ## Which level does my parent need? Choose by what your parent cannot do alone. Start with the body, then the mind, then safety. If any answer is yes to hands-on help, go to Level Two. Use this checklist: Question If yes Does your parent need help getting in or out of the shower? Level Two Does your parent need help at the toilet or with continence care? Level Two Does your parent need help moving from bed to chair or walking safely? Level Two Is your parent likely to wander, or at high fall risk? Level Two Does your parent have dementia that affects routines and safety? Level Two Does your parent mainly need company, meals, errands and light chores? Level One Does your parent dress and groom alone with some prompting? Level One Do you mainly need relief for a few hours? Level One or Level Two, based on the answers above Two examples: - **Margaret, 84, lives alone, sharp and lonely.** She stopped driving. She forgets to eat lunch. Level One fits: company, meals, errands and reminders. - **Walter, 79, has early dementia and a bad hip.** He needs help in the shower and sometimes leaves the house at night. Level Two fits: hands-on hygiene, transfers and wandering safety. These are illustrations, not real families. Your parent’s doctor can give a view on safety. A care advisor can then match the level to the person. ## Can the level change over time? Yes. Care needs often rise slowly. Start where the need is today. Review the plan after a fall, a hospital stay or a change in memory. HomeCare.com says families can choose the number of visits and the hours per visit, without minimums and no contracts. That makes it easier to move from Level One to Level Two as needs change. Read the signs in our guide on warning signs your parent needs home care. If dementia is part of the picture, read about [dementia care](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/dementia-care/). For help sizing hours, use our guide on how many hours of home care you need. ## How much do companion and personal care cost? CareScout’s 2025 Cost of Care Survey reports a national median of $35 an hour for a non-medical caregiver. That is the market figure for home care. It does not split companion and personal care. HomeCare.com does not publish its rates. Here is the estimate for a few common schedules at $35 an hour: Schedule Math Estimate per month 2 hours, 3 days a week $35 x 6 hours x 52 weeks / 12 about $910 4 hours, 5 days a week $35 x 20 hours x 52 weeks / 12 about $3,033 8 hours, 7 days a week $35 x 56 hours x 52 weeks / 12 about $8,493 These are estimates at a national median. Rates vary by state and by provider. See our [cost of home care](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/cost-of-home-care/) page for state figures. Medicare does not pay for custodial care, which is help with bathing or dressing when it is the only care you need, according to Medicare.gov. Medicare.gov points to Medicaid, depending on your state, and private long-term care insurance as other options. Ask a care advisor which payment options apply to your situation. ## What should I look for in a caregiver? Look for a caregiver who is reliable, patient and matched to your parent. The right personality matters as much as the task list. A good match makes your parent look forward to the visit. HomeCare.com says every professional caregiver it refers must pass a thorough background check. Its credentialing page lists checks covering at least the past seven years, such as a Social Security number trace, federal and state criminal records and the national sex offender registry. You can ask any provider for the same detail. Other things to ask about: - Experience with your parent’s needs, such as dementia or limited mobility - How the caregiver will be introduced to your parent - What happens if the caregiver cannot make a visit - How visits are confirmed and hours are tracked HomeCare.com says its mobile app confirms the caregiver is at the house on time and that billed hours are accurate. ## What if my parent says no to help? Many parents say no at first. That is normal. They may fear losing independence or feel embarrassed about personal care. Start with the lightest help your parent will accept. Ideas that often work: - Call it help with the house, not help with your parent. - Begin with company, meals or errands. Level One can lead naturally to more. - Let your parent meet the caregiver before the first visit. - Offer a short trial, with the right to stop. - Ask the doctor to suggest help. Many parents listen to the doctor. Be honest about your own limits too. Telling a parent that you need help to keep going can be easier for them to hear than a list of their problems. ## How do the two levels fit with other services? Companion and personal care often sit beside other help. Families may add respite coverage, live-in care or night coverage as needs grow. Level Two also pairs well with a doctor’s care plan: the doctor treats, and the caregiver supports the routines that keep your parent safe and comfortable between visits. ## Next step A short call can sort the right level for your parent. A care advisor will ask what is hard now and match a caregiver to that need. Call 800-974-3458 or [request a call](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/contact/). You can also read about personal care and companion care first. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the difference between companion care and personal care? Companion care focuses on company, light housekeeping, meals, errands and reminders. Personal care adds hands-on help with the body: bathing, toileting, dressing and moving safely. Companion care is the lighter level. Personal care is for people who cannot manage these tasks alone. ### Can a companion caregiver help with bathing? At HomeCare.com, Level One help covers grooming and dressing. Hands-on bathing, toileting and hygiene belong to Level Two, advanced companion care. If your parent needs help in the shower or with the toilet, ask for the advanced level so the caregiver is matched and prepared. ### Does a companion caregiver give medication? No. Companion and personal caregivers can remind your parent to take medicine, but they do not give it. Giving medication is a medical task. Ask your parent's doctor or pharmacist who should handle it, such as the family, a pill organizer system or a home health nurse. ### Who helps with dementia care at home? Level Two, advanced companion care, includes cognitive support for dementia or Alzheimer's, plus fall-risk and wandering safety. Caregivers use memory-friendly activities and steady routines. They do not treat the disease. Your parent's doctor guides medical care, and the caregiver supports daily life. ### Which level does my parent need? Look at what your parent cannot do alone. If the need is company, meals, errands and light help, Level One fits. If your parent needs hands-on help to bathe, use the toilet, transfer or stay safe from falls and wandering, choose Level Two. A care advisor can help you decide. ### Is a companion caregiver the same as a nurse? No. A companion caregiver is a trained non-medical caregiver. A nurse is a licensed medical professional who can give medication, treat wounds and monitor a condition. HomeCare.com caregivers do not provide medication administration, wound care or skilled nursing. ## Sources 1. [Alzheimer's Association: In-home care](https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/care-options/in-home-care) 2. [National Institute on Aging: Services for older adults living at home](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/caregiving/services-older-adults-living-home) 3. [National Institute on Aging: Does an older adult in your life need help?](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/caregiving/does-older-adult-your-life-need-help) 4. [Medicare.gov: Long-term care](https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/long-term-care) 5. [CareScout: 2025 Cost of Care Survey](https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-care) ## Terms in this guide - [Activities of daily living (ADLs)](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/activities-of-daily-living/) - [Medication administration](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medication-administration/) - [Long-term care insurance](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/long-term-care-insurance/) - [Home health aide (HHA)](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/home-health-aide/) - [Cognitive decline](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/cognitive-decline/) - [Cost of home care](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/cost-of-home-care/) - [Background check](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/background-check/) - [Home health care](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/home-health-care/) - [Companion care](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/companion-care/) - [Custodial care](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/custodial-care/) ## Keep reading - [**Home Care vs Home Health Care: Which Does Your Parent Need?**Home care is non-medical help with daily life, such as bathing, meals, rides and company. Home health care is skilled medical care, like nursing or therapy,...](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/guides/home-care-vs-home-health-care/) - [**Can a Family Member Get Paid to Be a Caregiver? A State-by-State Guide**Yes, sometimes. Medicaid programs in several states let a person choose a relative as a paid caregiver, though spouses are often excluded or limited. The VA...](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/guides/get-paid-to-care-for-a-family-member/) - [**Going Home From the Hospital: What Care to Line Up Before Discharge**Start planning home care after hospital discharge on day one of the stay. The hospital discharge planner arranges medical follow-up, such as Medicare home...](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/guides/home-care-after-hospital-discharge/) - [**How Many Hours of Home Care Does Your Parent Need? A Simple Needs Checklist**Count what your parent cannot do alone, and when. A few tasks a week may need two to four hours of visits. Help with bathing, meals and mobility every day...](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/guides/how-many-hours-of-home-care-do-i-need/) - [**Overnight Care for Seniors: Awake or Asleep Caregivers, Cost and When It Is Time**Overnight care puts a caregiver in your parent's home at night. An awake caregiver stays up and watches. A sleep-in caregiver rests nearby and wakes when...](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/guides/overnight-care-for-seniors/) - [**VA Benefits for Home Care: Aid and Attendance, Caregiver Programs and More**The VA does not have one home care benefit. It has several. Aid and Attendance adds money to a VA pension for wartime Veterans and surviving spouses who need...](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/guides/va-benefits-for-home-care/) ## Talk to a care advisor today. Free consultation. No minimums, no contracts. 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