Companionship care is a level of senior in-home care provided for elderly individuals who do not require in-home medical care or services such ashome health care. A senior companion may be able to offercompany, assist with household chores, and take on other non-medical duties. After reading this guide, you will be more familiar with the benefits companionship care is able to provide for some seniors and with ways to find this type of care.
What is companionship care?
Generally,companionship careis geared toward emotional needs.Recent studieshave shown thatfeelings of isolation may lead to depressionand to a decline in overall health. Seniors are at a high risk of being isolated as they age. In a study of community residents over 65,around 14% of seniors felt isolated. Companionship may include daily or weekly visits, phone calls, and social outings.
Companion care may also include a range of other non-medical services. Which services included in companionship care depend on the senior seeking care and on their individual needs.
Companionship care services
Agencies or individuals may offer companion care services. What they are able to offer will depend on the parameters of thecompanionship care program or private care provider, the licensing of the care worker, and the senior’s needs. Some services that may be offered in addition to conversation and social interactions may include assistance with activities such as:
- Grocery shopping and food preparation
- Housekeeping
- Transportation to appointments and events
- Errand running
- Medication reminders
- Taking walks and playing games
- Making phone calls
- Personal care and grooming
Activities such as showering, eating, and getting dressed are referred to as activities of daily living (ADLs). Activities such as light housekeeping and taking medications are known as instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). IADLs such as laundry and housekeeping are often calledhomemaker serviceswhen a care agency provides them.
When to consider companionship care
Companionship care may be an appealing option for clients who do not need medical orskilled nursing carebut who could benefit from additional assistance. Companion care may be useful for many individuals and in a range of settings. Examples of situations in which companionship care may be a good choice for seniors needing care include:
- An individual who lives alone and has been having difficulties with IADLs or ADLs
- A couple who are both beginning to be less able to care for themselves
- An individual who is able to do ADLs and IADLs, but who is isolated from family or friends
- An individual who lives with an adult child that is away at work for most of the day
- An individual who is starting to become forgetful or has other cognitive issues
- An individual who does not have reliable access to transportation to get to the store or to appointments
- A recent widow or widower who has becomewithdrawnordepressed
There are many other situations that may make companionship care appropriate. Companionship care may make it possible for a senior to stay in their home longer or for an individual to have an improved quality of life.
Types of companionship care
There are several types of service that may fall under the umbrella of companionship care:
Agencies that provide senior in-home care may have different levels of service available for individuals with different needs
Private individuals, sometimes licensed ascertified nursing assistants (CNAs)orhome health assistants (HHAs), may be available to provide care
Home visitation services may be available through a church group or other volunteer program
Senior Corpsis a national service organization that is a branch of the United StatesCorporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)that works with volunteers over 55 and trains them in companion care for isolated or homebound seniors
Live-in care foraround-the-clockhelp provided either in 24-hour shifts or divided among multiple providers
Hospice-provided companion care is designed to meet the unique emotional and social needs that often arise at the end of life
Respitecompanion care is intended to provide a break for another caregiver, such as a spouse or adult child
Private caregivers
Hiring a private caregiver for companion care may be a good option in some cases. However, hiring a private caregiver requires planning and a careful selection process. Some pros of hiring a private caregiver may include:
- While not always the case, it may cost an individual and their family less to pay a private caregiver.Hourly caregiver rates will varydepending on a number of factors but will generally be more with an agency
- The senior or seniors and their family may have more control over who provides care. Employees of an agency are hired and screened by the agency, but a private caregiver is specifically chosen by the elderly individual and their family
- Agency caregivers are able to do only the work outlined in their role by the agency, but a private caregiver may be able to do additional tasks or take on other responsibilities like attending social events or adjusting hours
- Whilesome companion care agencies experience a high rate of employee turnover, a private caregiver may have the chance to build a long-term relationship with a senior client
It may also make sense to use a private caregiver in cases where the caregiver has been recommended by family, friends, community members, orhealth careprofessionals. Clients may feel more comfortable hiring a caregiver who also cares for a neighbor than they wouldbe usinga caregiver sent from an agency.
However, using a private caregiver isn’t right for everyone, and some potential drawbacks include:
- Private caregivers are less likely to be covered bylong-term care insurance— though, in some cases,MedicaidorVeterans Aid and Attendance benefitsmay be able to pay for part of the costs
- When a private caregiver is sick or otherwise unable to work, it is up to the individual or their family to find a replacement. With an agency, a replacement will be sent if a caregiver is sick
- Hiring and firing may be overwhelming tasks for an individual or their family without the time to run background checks and verify references
- Payroll and tax issues fall on theclients and their families with a private caregiver. Some families prefer to outsource tasks likemanaging taxes, leave time, overtime considerations, and bonuses to a professional caregiving agency
- A private caregiver may not be able to continue on as care needs change or increase, but many agencies have staff members trained and certified to provide many levels of care
Types of licensing for companion care
Companionship care providers may have a variety of licenses or certifications. In some cases, they may not have any certification or formal education. Some types of training or certification companion care providers may include:
Home health aide certification
Not all HHAs are certified, buthome health aide national certificationis available and is required for HHAs that work at agencies that have been certified by Medicare or Medicaid. Certified HHAs must complete 75 hours of training and pass exams to earn certification.
Personal care aide (PCA) certification
Formal training for PCAsvaries from state to stateand can encompass a large variety of requirements.Personal care aide certificates and training programsexist, but their requirements are not standardized.
Certified nursing assistant training
CNAs are certified by the state, thoughcertified nursing assistant training requirementsvary from state to state,butall include a high school diploma or GED, a mandated number of training hours (generally between 75 and 180, conducted by a state-approved program), and completion of both a written and clinic examination. CNAs are often trained ina communitycollege or hospital-based programs and need to maintainprofessional standards to keep CNA certificationscurrent and may lose status for misconduct such as abuse.
Volunteer training
For companionship care provided by church groups, community groups, theSenior Corps, or other volunteer-based groups, the training received will be less formal. These volunteers are able to perform non-medical tasks only. However, volunteer workers will be able to provide many companionship services, and they may receive training on issues like talking to seniors in need or handling an emergency. In some cases, they may also be CPR-certified.
Choosing a companion care provider
The right providerforcompanionship care is essential to making sure the care is beneficial. Companion caregivers spend time in the individual who needs care’s home, and the companion often becomes an important relationship in that individual’s life. It is important to make sure the care provider selected is trustworthy and able to meet the needs of the individual. Some important considerations include:
- Any additional services offered, such as home health or hospice services, that could reduce stress in the future if care needsto change
- Home safety evaluations— These evaluations may include watching the senior move about the home along with checking for home fall risks like poor lighting and loose rugs or for home fire hazards like faulty wiring and older kitchen equipment
- If using an agency, do they perform background checks on their employees? If using a private caregiver, are they able to provide references or background documents such asclearances?
- Does the provider have any specialized certifications, such asdementiaorheart failure? Additionally, private providers may have acquired certification in these areas or done extensive work with patients with these concerns in the past
- Some agencies or providers are only able to offer services on certain days of the week or for a certain number of hours. They may not be able to provide overnight care on a weekend or for shifts that are over eight hours long
- If using an agency, do they supervise the caregivers and provide training? When using an agency, it may be helpful to know how caregivers report back to that agency, what level of supervision they have, and what training methods are in place
- Providers should take the needs and requests of individuals and their families into account when creating a plan of care. When working with a private caregiver, families may be able to draw up the plan of care with them and adjust it as needed. With an agency, individuals and their families should be able to make requests and suggestions as care progresses
- Find out staff procedures, like how sick days or vacations are covered and when the senior or family caregivers will be notified of changes — If possible, find out about staff turnover rates too
- What are all thecosts of companionship caregivingservice, and what options are there for payment? Some providers charge extra additional rates for holidays, weekends, overnight hours, or mileage and supply reimbursem*nts
- If hiring a private companion, is the caregiver legally able to work in the United States?
Since hiring a private caregiver means having an employee, elderly individuals and their families should consider tax and legality-related concerns such as the work status of their caregiver. Seniors and their family caregivers may need to get proof ofverifying documentssuch as Social Security cards, ID cards, or employment authorization documents.
Paying for companionship care
The rates for companionship care will vary depending on the care needs of the individual and on the type of companionship provider chosen.
Volunteer-based companionship services will come at no cost to the individual and their families. However, these programs will generally be able to provide fewer services and fewer hours of coverage. They also may not be available in all areas.
When using an agency or private provider for companionship care, options available for payment will depend on that provider and on the individual’s financial circ*mstances. Some general options may include:
Long-term care insurance
Along-term care insuranceplan may cover at least part of the cost of companionship care. Many policies will only cover this care if an agency provides it. Other plans may cover private care, but only if the caregiver has a license as a CNA or HHA.
Medicare and Medicaid
Medicare will not pay for the cost of companionship care. In general, Medicare only pays for medically-necessary services and not for any type ofcustodial care.
It may be possible to pay for companion care using Medicaid benefits in some states. TheHome and Community-BasedServices (HCBS) waiver programallows individuals to pay for care that is received in the community and paid for by an individual or agency. In some states, qualifying for the HCBS waiver program may have less strict requirements than standard Medicaid income qualifications. HCBS waivers may allow forspousal impoverishment,spend-down, and other provisions.
Tax deduction
The cost of companionship care may be able to be somewhat offset by atax deduction. If the caregiver is providing personal care or any services other than homemaking services during the companionship care, it may be tax deductible. A tax professional should be able to tell an individual if they qualify for this deduction if they are given a detailed description of the caregiver’s role.
Veterans benefits
For veterans who are in need and medically eligible,veterans benefitsare available to pay for the costs of companionship services. If certain requirements are met, this may be in the form of theAid and Attendancebenefit is added to a monthly pension amount. In other cases, this benefit may take the form of homemaker services provided by Veterans Administration affiliates.
Private payment options
Additional private payment options for covering long-term companionship care includehome equity loans,reverse mortgages, andimmediate annuities.
Companionship care FAQs
- How can I find a private caregiver?
There are several ways to find a private caregiver. Large websites such asCare.comhave sections for finding senior care providers. Caregivers are able to create profiles on these websites and apply for jobs posted by families. Local websites and classifieds may have sections for this type of care as well. Additionally, local educational programs such as HHA, CNA, or Nursing training programs may have students looking for work in their fields. You may be able to call these local programs and put a job listing out to their students. Local senior centers or churches may also have lists of people able to provide this care available.
When making an advertisem*nt looking for a private caregiver, it is essential to include all the information a potential caregiver will need to know if they might be a fit for the role. Some information that may be useful to put in a job posting includes:
- The level of training or certification required —Some individuals may not require a caregiver with a certain license, but other people may feel more comfortable knowing the companionship care is being provided by a CNA or other professional
- Level of housekeeping required — If the companionship caregiver will be doing tasks such as laundry or light housekeeping, be sure to mention this in the job posting
- Any required driving —Some individuals will need a companionship caregiver who has a car and is able to drive them to appointments. Sometimes an individual may have a car the caregiver is able to use, but other times the caregiver will have to have a private vehicle. If the caregiver needs to use their private vehicle during care,mileage reimbursem*ntcompensation should also be included
- Special care skills — Any special needs, such as assistance withtransfers, use ofassistive devices, care for memory or cognitive impairments, and dietary needs
- Other special requirements — If the person in need of care has communication needs, such as being hard of hearing or not speaking English as a primary language, this should be included in the job posting. In the cases of someone whose primary language is not English, it may be possible to find a caregiver who speaks their native language, especially in larger communities
- Household details — A job posting should include information about pets, smoking, and other household rules and details
- Hours and wages — List the hours that will be needed and the range of pay available up front, along with how often the caregiver will be paid and any benefits such as provided meals or covered sick days
- My family member is not comfortable with having a stranger in their house. How can I convince them that companion care is a good idea?
Someseniors are resistant to accepting helpor having a stranger in their homes. It may be helpful to have the senior in need of care be as much of a part of the process as possible. Allowing them to sit in during interviews and to see the results of background checks may reassure them that the caregiver is trustworthy. If using an agency, it may be helpful to have the individual in need of care meet with agency staff.
Sometimes it may be helpful to start small, with a few very short visits to help the individual adjust to having a caregiver giver around. If the caregiver is doing housekeeping duties, it may help to initially introduce them as more of a housekeeper instead of a caregiver. Family members should let the individual know that the caregiver is there for their comfort and safety and to help them live fuller lives.
- What services are able to be covered by volunteers?
What volunteer services are available will vary depending on an individual’s community and area. Generally, volunteers will be able to cover tasks such as driving individuals to appointments and conversations. Volunteers may be able to visit a few days a week and stay for a few hours. If the individual only needs this level of care, looking into volunteer services may be a good place to start.
- When would companion care services not be appropriate?
If an individual needs a skilled level of care, companionship care is not appropriate.Skilled careincludes the services of nurses, physical therapists, and other professionals. For example, a person who has pressure sores and requires wound care andrange of motion (ROM)therapy could not have this care accomplished by companionship care. In some cases, treatments and therapies may be able to be proved by a CNA. However, that CNA would need to be providing that care under the direction of a nurse, and that care would still have to beskilled care.
