Services
What I do.
Personal companion care and support for seniors who want to stay independent in their own homes. Every arrangement is a little different. Take what's useful and leave the rest.
Companionship
- Friendly conversation and visiting
- Games, puzzles, reading together
- Outings: coffee, lunch, walks, scenic drives
- Technology help: phone, tablet, video calls with family, email
Light housekeeping
- Dishes, laundry, tidying
- Changing linens
- Light cleaning and organizing
- Refrigerator and pantry organization
Home management
- Waiting for service providers: plumber, cable, repairs
- Mail sorting and organization
- Medication reminders: a visual check only, never administering
- Pet care: feeding, walking, vet visits
Healthy eating support
- Weekly meal planning: heart-healthy, diabetic-friendly, gluten-free, or simply what you like
- Grocery shopping with nutrition guidance
- Meal preparation and batch cooking
- Help with special dietary needs
This is the part most caregivers don't offer. It comes from eight years of health and wellness coaching.
Transportation & accompaniment
- Medical appointments: doctor, dentist, specialists, lab work, physical therapy
- Personal appointments: hair salon, shopping
- Social activities: church, senior center, visiting friends and family
- Special events: grandchildren's activities, family gatherings
At appointments I go in with you if you'd like, wait, and take notes if that's helpful. For church and family events I'm simply there so you can go.
Errands & shopping
- Grocery shopping, with you or for you
- Prescription pickup
- Post office, bank, dry cleaning
- Returns and exchanges
- Pet supplies
Caregiver respite
- A real break for the family caregiver
- Scheduled regular relief or occasional coverage
- Updates for family members who live out of town
Being clear
What I don't provide.
To keep you safe and to stay inside the right boundaries, I don't provide:
- Medical or nursing care — administering medication, wound care, bathing, dressing or toileting assistance
- Heavy housework — deep cleaning, moving furniture, yard work, ladders
- Financial management — managing accounts or signing checks
If you need any of that, tell me anyway — I'm glad to help you find someone qualified.
Rates
No mystery pricing.
You should be able to work out what this costs before you call. Here it is. If you want to see how this compares to agencies and what a month of help adds up to, I've put the real numbers here.
| Companion care | $30 / hour |
|---|---|
| Minimum visit | 2 hours |
| Mileage, when driving | $0.725 / mile |
Payment is due at the time of service. Cash, check and Venmo accepted. Groceries and supplies are billed at cost, with receipts.
Life happens, so if plans change just tell me. I ask for 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule. Short-notice cancellations may be billed at the two-hour minimum, depending on the situation.
Paying for care
Who usually pays for this?
Most families pay privately, out of pocket. Two other sources are worth checking before you assume you can't afford help:
- VA Aid & Attendance. Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for a monthly benefit that helps cover this kind of care.
- Long-term care insurance. Some policies cover companion care. It's worth a call to your provider to ask.
Medicare does not cover non-medical companion care. Anyone who tells you otherwise is mistaken.