How to hire a companion in 2024
Even though we specialize in the staffing area of personal assistance, we occasionally are asked about hiring a companion. Although domestic staffing agencies usually don't specialize in this area, we do. If you want to use an agency to find companion care, it's advised because we also run thorough background checks.
Older adults who want to pay for companion care or personal care services sometimes need emotional support, and that is what a companion does -- part time or full time.
Older adults who want to pay for companion care or personal care services sometimes need emotional support, and that is what a companion does -- part time or full time.
Should I use an agency to find companion care?
Yes, you absolutely should, especially if you don't have family members for assistance in a search. Agencies have benefits because they have databases with both active and passive companion job seekers.
Also, with agencies, it's a sort of insurance policy because they have strict protocols in place to ensure that the caregiver match is the right one. In short, you don't want to just let anyone into your home. The "fit" is important.
Also, with agencies, it's a sort of insurance policy because they have strict protocols in place to ensure that the caregiver match is the right one. In short, you don't want to just let anyone into your home. The "fit" is important.
What services can agencies offer for hiring a companion?
Staffing agencies match companions
When an older adult is thinking of hiring a companion, consider this: Whether or not you still have a loved one in the household, you need to think about all of the skills and characteristics you want to companion to have. Most seniors or private individuals don't have the skill set and knowhow to conduct a thorough interview, and that's where an agency can be of great assistance.
If you need a companion, for example, that understands health needs and can assist with daily living, then we can find the right client for your life. Also, if you have medical needs or need assistance with medication, then we can even find a companion that is a certified nurse.
If you need a companion, for example, that understands health needs and can assist with daily living, then we can find the right client for your life. Also, if you have medical needs or need assistance with medication, then we can even find a companion that is a certified nurse.
Can companionship include personal care?
Many clients contact us because they need personal care. It's important that older adults be very specific about what their needs are. We can also speak with a loved one to gain some other insights before you hire, especially if the companion will spend a lot of time in your home. Caregivers that work in the home, even if they will have assistance from a loved one, will need an extra level of screening.
As an agency, we also need to know how much coverage you will need. For example, the typical companion will work an 8-hour shift. If you want 24-hour coverage, for example, then we will need to triple our efforts to hire multiple companions. Many of our high-net-worth clients hire many companions to have the 24-hour coverage.
As an agency, we also need to know how much coverage you will need. For example, the typical companion will work an 8-hour shift. If you want 24-hour coverage, for example, then we will need to triple our efforts to hire multiple companions. Many of our high-net-worth clients hire many companions to have the 24-hour coverage.
Can older adults rent a companion?
We can help find a travel companion
Perhaps. It does matter how you define "rent." We have hourly companion care, but most of the more-experienced candidates that offer high-quality companionship and personal care are full-time employees. If you want, say, a companion for only once a week, it's harder to find top-quality companion care in that sort of circumstance. It may be possible to find volunteers through your local church if you only need a companion once a week.
How much will a companion cost?
Professional companions typically are not volunteers, and prices vary. There are a number of factors that go into the cost of hiring companion for elderly:
And the list actually goes on. The city and country that they will be working also plays a role in the cost of the salary or hourly rate. We can also discuss with you if the companion will be working under you as the employer, or if they will be an independent contractor (freelance). If you have a company, the companion may accept a paycheck from your company, even if they are going to be working in your home.
- How many years of experience?
- Are they caregivers?
- How many hours they will work?
- Will they live on site or off site?
- How many services they will perform?
- Have they been a helper for high-net-worth families before?
- How many years ago they were certified?
And the list actually goes on. The city and country that they will be working also plays a role in the cost of the salary or hourly rate. We can also discuss with you if the companion will be working under you as the employer, or if they will be an independent contractor (freelance). If you have a company, the companion may accept a paycheck from your company, even if they are going to be working in your home.
Do you have travel companions for hire?
Agency for travel companion
We do have travel companions as well. Some of our candidates have many years of experience performing tasks while traveling. So, in addition to being professional aides, they can also book transportation, find a location to visit, arrange coverage for pet care services, and generally do anything that a personal assistant would do.
While you are away from home, your companion can also find another person or one of their friends to watch over your home while you're gone.
While you are away from home, your companion can also find another person or one of their friends to watch over your home while you're gone.
How fast can an agency find a companion?
Well, that is a bit of a trick question. In theory, we could do it in a day if the right companion were in the database already. Right now, though, there is a national shortage of domestic staff, generally speaking. The short answer is somewhere between a week and a month. If you're in a hurry when looking for a companion, the costs could go up because in some cities there is a waiting list.
Will Medicare pay for a companion?
Agency search for companion
If you want to employ a companion through an agency, all insurance matters have to be handled through the insurance company. As a staffing agency, we are privately owned and operated, so we aren't involved in government billing.
We don't participate in any program where we would be reimbursed, so the agency gets paid privately, regardless of your age. The hourly or salary (plus taxes) need to be handled by the senior that is hiring a companion. Also, any related expenses associated with hiring a companion, live moving fees, are also paid by the employer.
We don't participate in any program where we would be reimbursed, so the agency gets paid privately, regardless of your age. The hourly or salary (plus taxes) need to be handled by the senior that is hiring a companion. Also, any related expenses associated with hiring a companion, live moving fees, are also paid by the employer.
Companions vs. escorts
This is a little bit of an awkward subject, but it does need to be addressed because the subject comes up. Sometimes we have high-net-worth individuals contact us and they are looking for a "companion," but actually they are describing someone that they would like to "date." That's the polite way to put it.
We are not the agency for that scenario. We offer professional companions that act as aides, provide transportation, perform a professional service, and provide home health care services. In short, we don't provide a client a boyfriend or girlfriend. Thanks for not asking.
We are not the agency for that scenario. We offer professional companions that act as aides, provide transportation, perform a professional service, and provide home health care services. In short, we don't provide a client a boyfriend or girlfriend. Thanks for not asking.
Companion vs. Personal Care
As we had mentioned before, if older adults want companion care, it's very important to define if you need a caregiver or not. There is a difference between companionship and personal care services. And agencies usually will help you define a job description. Here are some of the differences:
COMPANIONS
In sum, a companion is a version of a traditional personal assistant.
PERSONAL CARE
So, a personal care assistant is a form of a family assistant and housekeeper combined. Again, agencies will support you in your search and will discuss the costs of hiring a helper in private services.
COMPANIONS
- A helper with a hobby
- Playing your favorite game
- Conversation and company
- Going to a social event
- Running errands and making appointments
In sum, a companion is a version of a traditional personal assistant.
PERSONAL CARE
- Helps you get dressed
- Helper with grooming and washing up
- Assists with cooking and cleaning
So, a personal care assistant is a form of a family assistant and housekeeper combined. Again, agencies will support you in your search and will discuss the costs of hiring a helper in private services.
Final thoughts on companion care
Even if you're not an "older adult," we can still help you find a companion. We understand that each and every client has a special set of circumstances, and we are here to be a great helper. Companion care is very personal, so whether you need emotional support, or you've recently lost a loved one, we are here to listen to your needs.
We can perform an exhaustive search, regardless of your age. Each search that we perform for a client is done in the strictest of confidence, so rest assured that we take our tasks very seriously when it comes to finding aides.
We can perform an exhaustive search, regardless of your age. Each search that we perform for a client is done in the strictest of confidence, so rest assured that we take our tasks very seriously when it comes to finding aides.
FILED UNDER: home health, long term care insurance, caregivers, private assistance, home service, aging adults, personal assistance, 2024
