Companion care
What is companion care?
Companion care is non-medical, in-home support focused on companionship and everyday help — conversation and social engagement, meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands and transportation, and medication reminders. It does not include hands-on medical or personal care such as bathing assistance or administering medication.
How is companion care different from personal care and home health care?
Companion care is non-medical — company and help with daily routines. Personal care adds hands-on help with activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing and is typically licensed. Home health care is clinical care delivered by licensed medical professionals such as nurses or therapists.
What does private-pay companion care mean?
Private-pay means care is paid out of pocket by the client or family rather than billed to insurance. It gives families flexibility over the schedule and caregiver without insurance-authorization requirements.
What tasks does a companion caregiver help with?
Common help includes friendly conversation and activities, meal planning and preparation, light housekeeping and laundry, errands and transportation, medication reminders, wellness check-ins, and support with daily routines that keep someone safe and engaged at home.
What does a companion caregiver not do?
Companion caregivers do not provide medical care, administer medication, perform hands-on personal care such as bathing or toileting, or offer nursing, therapy, or hospice services. For those needs, a licensed medical provider is required.
What does Haven Grove Home Care not provide?
Haven Grove provides private-pay companion care only. We do not provide medical home health, skilled nursing, hospice, hospital care, or insurance-based care. If medical care is needed, we're glad to help you understand the difference and find the right type of provider.
How many hours of companion care can we get?
Care can range from a few hours a week to daily visits or overnight support, depending on your needs.
Is companion care only for older adults?
It most often supports older adults, but companion care can also help adults recovering from illness or surgery, or anyone who benefits from non-medical support and company at home.
Senior care
What are the signs a parent may need companion care?
Common signs include increasing isolation or loneliness, missed meals or medications, a less tidy home, unopened mail or unpaid bills, giving up driving, recent falls or unsteadiness, or a family caregiver who is stretched thin.
How do I talk to my parent about accepting help?
Lead with their goals — staying home, staying independent — rather than their limitations. Introduce a caregiver as company and a helping hand, start with a few hours, and involve your parent in choosing the schedule so they keep a sense of control.
What if my parent says they don't need help?
Resistance is normal. Framing help around companionship and specific tasks (rides, meals, a tidy home) often lands better than "care." A short trial and a good caregiver match frequently change the conversation.
Can companion care reduce loneliness and isolation?
Yes — reducing isolation is a central benefit. Regular visits, conversation, shared activities, and outings support emotional well-being, which research links to healthier aging.
Does companion care help after a hospital stay?
Yes. Non-medical support at home — transportation, meals, reminders, light housekeeping, and supervision — can ease the transition home and help someone follow their recovery plan. See hospital discharge below.
Can care adjust as needs change?
Yes. A good care plan is reviewed and adjusted over time — more hours, different tasks, or a different schedule — as someone's needs change.
Memory & dementia companionship
Do you provide memory or dementia companionship?
Yes. Haven Grove offers non-medical memory companionship — patient, routine-based support and engagement for older adults living with memory changes. It is companionship and supervision, not medical or clinical dementia treatment.
What's the difference between "memory care" and memory companionship?
"Memory care" often refers to specialized residential facilities and clinical programs. Memory companionship is non-medical in-home support — familiar routines, gentle engagement, safety supervision, and relief for family caregivers.
How do caregivers support someone with dementia at home?
Through calm, consistent routines, simple choices, meaningful activities, gentle redirection, and a safe environment — plus attentive supervision and companionship that reduce anxiety and isolation.
What are the early signs of memory changes?
Signs can include repeating questions, misplacing items, missing appointments, difficulty with familiar tasks, confusion about time or place, and word-finding trouble. Any concerns should be discussed with a physician for evaluation.
Can companionship help with sundowning?
A predictable routine, calm environment, good daytime engagement and light, and a reassuring presence in the late afternoon and evening can help ease sundowning-related restlessness. Persistent symptoms should be reviewed with a doctor.
Is companion care enough for advanced dementia?
Companion care supports many people with memory changes, but advanced dementia may require medical or personal care beyond our non-medical scope. We'll be honest if a higher level of care is needed and help point you to the right resources.
How do you keep someone with memory loss safe at home?
Through supervision, consistent routines, reducing home hazards, secure exits when appropriate, and calm engagement. See our home safety answers for practical steps.
Respite care
What is respite care?
Respite care is short-term companion care that gives family caregivers a planned break to rest, work, travel, or handle other responsibilities while a trusted caregiver supports their loved one at home.
Why does respite matter for family caregivers?
Caregiving is demanding, and burnout is real. Regular breaks protect a caregiver's health, relationships, and ability to keep providing good care — which benefits the whole family.
How often can I schedule respite?
Respite can be a recurring weekly break, occasional coverage, or support during a trip.
Can I use respite care for a vacation or work trip?
Yes. Many families arrange extended or overnight coverage so they can travel or work with peace of mind. See overnight companion care.
Is respite care the same as adult day care?
Not quite — respite through Haven Grove is one-on-one, in-home companion care. Adult day programs are group-based and outside the home. In-home respite keeps your loved one in familiar surroundings.
Costs
How much does companion care cost in Central Ohio?
Companion care is typically billed hourly, and the total depends on the number of hours, the schedule, and the level of support needed.
What affects the cost of companion care?
Main factors are the number of hours per week, the length and timing of visits (including overnight or weekend care), and the type of support. More hours generally lower the effective hourly cost in some plans.
Is there a minimum number of hours per visit?
Many agencies set a minimum visit length so care is meaningful and consistent.
How do we pay for companion care?
Companion care is private-pay.
Are there any contracts or long-term commitments?
What are the ways to help pay for in-home care?
Common sources families explore include private savings, long-term care insurance, veterans' benefits such as Aid and Attendance, and — for those who qualify — certain Medicaid waiver programs. Eligibility varies; verify current details with each program. See our guide to paying for home care.
Is a consultation free?
To arrange one, request care.
Medicare
Does Medicare pay for companion care?
Original Medicare generally does not pay for non-medical companion or homemaker care. Medicare covers medically necessary skilled services under specific conditions, not ongoing companionship. Coverage rules change — verify current details with Medicare.
What home care does Medicare cover?
Medicare may cover intermittent skilled nursing or therapy for homebound patients who meet strict criteria, ordered by a physician and delivered by a certified home health agency. This is medical care — different from companion care.
Do Medicare Advantage plans cover in-home support?
Some Medicare Advantage plans have added limited in-home supportive benefits in recent years, but availability and rules vary by plan and year. Check your specific plan's current benefits. See our Medicare guide.
If Medicare won't cover it, how do people pay?
Most companion care is private-pay, sometimes supplemented by long-term care insurance, veterans' benefits, or Medicaid waivers for those who qualify. See costs and paying for home care.
VA benefits
Can veterans get help paying for in-home care?
Some veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for assistance — for example, the VA Aid and Attendance pension benefit — that can help offset the cost of in-home care. Eligibility and amounts vary; confirm current details with the VA or an accredited representative.
What is VA Aid and Attendance?
It's an increased monthly pension benefit for eligible wartime veterans (or surviving spouses) who need help with daily activities. Funds can be used toward in-home care. Eligibility depends on service, income, assets, and care needs.
How do I apply for VA benefits for home care?
Applications go through the VA, and accredited Veterans Service Organizations can help at no charge. Because rules change, verify the current process and criteria with the VA. See our veteran benefits guide.
Does Haven Grove work with veteran families?
Yes — we're glad to support veterans and their families with private-pay companion care.
Family questions
I live out of town — can you help my parent in Central Ohio?
Yes. We support many long-distance families by providing reliable local care and keeping you informed, so you have peace of mind from afar.
Can family members stay involved in the care plan?
Absolutely. Families are partners in the care plan — we welcome your input and keep you updated as needs change.
How will I know how visits are going?
Clear communication is a core part of our service.
Can you coordinate with my parent's doctor or other providers?
With your permission, caregivers can support appointments and share observations with family. Note that Haven Grove is non-medical and does not direct medical care.
My siblings and I disagree about care — can you help?
We're glad to walk the whole family through options during the consultation so everyone understands the plan. A clear plan often eases family tension.
What if our needs change over time?
Care plans are meant to flex. We review and adjust hours, tasks, and schedules as your loved one's needs evolve.
Home safety
How can I make my parent's home safer?
Reduce fall hazards (loose rugs, clutter, cords), improve lighting, add grab bars and railings where helpful, keep frequently used items within reach, and ensure smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors work. See our home safety guide.
What are the most common fall risks at home?
Slippery or cluttered floors, poor lighting, stairs without railings, loose rugs, unsteady furniture, and bathrooms without grab bars are frequent culprits. See our fall prevention guide.
Can caregivers help prevent falls?
Yes — through supervision, help with mobility and transfers within their non-medical scope, keeping walkways clear, encouraging good footwear, and flagging hazards to the family.
What home modifications support aging in place?
Common ones include grab bars, walk-in or no-step showers, better lighting, stair railings, non-slip flooring, and lever door handles. Occupational therapists can recommend modifications tailored to a person.
Do you recommend medical alert devices?
Medical alert systems can add a safety net, especially for someone alone part of the day. They complement — but don't replace — the supervision and connection a caregiver provides.
Hospital discharge
How does companion care help after a hospital discharge?
The days after discharge are high-risk. Non-medical support — transportation home, meals, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and supervision — helps someone rest, follow their recovery plan, and avoid setbacks. See our hospital discharge guide.
How fast can care start after discharge?
Let us know the discharge date and we'll do our best to be ready.
Can you work alongside home health or therapy?
Yes. Companion care complements medical home health or therapy by covering the non-medical hours — company, meals, reminders, and supervision — between clinical visits.
Can a discharge planner or case manager refer to you?
Yes — we welcome referrals from hospitals, discharge planners, and case managers, and can coordinate a fast start. See for professionals.
Does post-hospital companion care reduce readmissions?
Support with medications, meals, follow-up transportation, and supervision helps people follow recovery plans, which is associated with smoother recoveries. Outcomes vary by individual and medical condition.
Aging in place
What is aging in place?
Aging in place means continuing to live safely and comfortably in your own home as you get older, rather than moving to a facility. Companion care supports it with everyday help, safety supervision, and connection. See aging in place support.
Is it cheaper to age in place than move to a facility?
It depends on how many hours of care are needed. Part-time companion care is often more affordable than residential care, while very high hourly needs can change the math. A consultation can help you compare for your situation.
How do I know if aging in place is realistic for my parent?
Consider home safety, the level of daily help needed, health stability, and available support. Companion care extends what's possible at home, but some situations call for more care than a non-medical service can provide — we'll be honest about that.
What support makes aging in place work?
A safe home, help with meals and housekeeping, transportation, medication reminders, regular check-ins, social connection, and family communication — the everyday building blocks companion care provides.
Can companion care delay the need for a nursing home?
For many families, reliable in-home support helps a loved one stay home longer, safely. Whether it delays a facility move depends on the person's health and needs over time.