Senior Sitters and Private Sitters for the Elderly

What Does a Senior Sitter or Companion Do?

A senior sitter (or elderly companion) is a non-medical caregiver who can be there whenever and wherever clients need them—whether that be full-time or part-time. Care can take place in a variety of settings such as senior living housing, nursing homes, hospitals, or rehabilitation facilities.

Most often care takes place within a home setting. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, services involve engaging in mostly activities of fellowship including:

• Having friendly conversations
• Playing games and engaging in mind-stimulating activities
• Doing crafts together
• Taking short walks
• Providing transportation for medical appointments or brief outings
• Transporting to social events
• Offering medication reminders
• Monitoring light exercise
• Doing light housekeeping

Companion services also include providing protective services inside or outside the home and monitoring the older adult’s well-being. These services may also include assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), like dressing or preparing meals. But these ADLs, or care tasks, cannot constitute more than 20 percent of the weekly work hours. 1

What Does A Companion Not Do?

Companionship services cannot include medical tasks, such as administering medications or doing wound care. Also, household work that benefits other household members, for example, cooking a meal for the entire family or doing laundry for all, is not deemed to be part of companionship services.

Keep in mind those are the federal guidelines. Some states, like California and New York, have stricter regulations for domestic workers including companions. These states require minimum wage, overtime, and other labor protections.

So, the roles of sitters or companions are generally limited to providing basic supervision and companionship. Sitters and aides should adhere to the agreements made through the agencies or between the companion and the senior.

When Are Senior Sitters and Companions Needed?

In general, these companions keep seniors company while their family members or regular caregivers are away. Most often a wife, sister, or daughter will step in as the primary caregiver. They commonly work at a job and soon are burned out as they try to juggle work, their own family, and caring for a senior loved one. Respite care affords your exhausted relative time away to recharge.

Companions can also help out when seniors are in the hospital recovering from surgery or an incident.

Adult children should look for these three signs that may indicate your older parent could benefit from the help of a companion. 3

1. Loneliness and social isolation

Withdrawal from activities or expressions of loneliness can lead to negative health outcomes. Loneliness has become an epidemic and is associated with depression, cognitive decline, and Alzheimer’s disease, according to the National Institute on Aging. A companion can help mitigate your loved one’s sense of isolation and loneliness. 4

2. Decline in hygiene and home maintenance

Neglecting personal care, home cleanliness, and maintenance could be a sign that managing daily tasks has become too difficult. It could lead to accidents like tripping over a lamp’s cord or sitting in the dark due to the inability to change a lightbulb. Physical and cognitive decline could follow. A companion who is there to protect your loved one and make sure they are safe by arranging to fix these issues could be a lifesaver.

3. Lack of nutritious foods

Poor diet and challenges in preparing healthy meals are concerning. Lacking proper nutrition can easily lead to malnutrition and weight loss, along with physical and cognitive decline. A companion can help ensure your loved one is eating vegetables and fruits, and prepare balanced meals when they have scheduled visits. 5

Should You Hire a Companion or a Homemaker?

How do you know which kind of person to hire? Companions focus on social interactions and emotional support, even though they do light household tasks and errands. Homemakers, however, focus more on domestic services and household tasks for the entire household.

Limitations of Senior Sitter Services

One common misconception about senior sitters or companions is that they can provide the same services as certified home health aides (HHAs). HHAs are allowed to do rudimentary health and medical-related caregiving while sitters and companions are not. They are focused on non-medical services.

Some sitters may have home care experience and be licensed to provide additional care, but this will vary depending on whom you or your loved one hires and through which agency. To find a suitable senior sitter, you should consider having multiple interviews and a trial period. Additionally, check all their references before you hire them.

The Benefits of Senior Sitter Services

Having a senior sitter keep a friendly, yet watchful eye over an aging loved one who needs a bit of company and assistance has many benefits, including:

• Companionship and wellness: Seniors who stay actively engaged and keep their minds working can minimize the progression of and reduce the onset of memory-related conditions. Seniors with companions also seem happier.
• Faster recovery: Without having to worry about preparing meals, driving, or remembering to take medicine, seniors can recover faster. By allowing their bodies to rest thanks to a senior companion or homemaker, they can focus on healing. As an added bonus, having a nice person to talk to who provides emotional support further promotes wellness.
• Peace of mind: Family members can rest more easily whether their loved one is in the hospital, rehab, or in the room down the hall knowing that their special someone is in the care of a senior sitter. Adult kids will be free to focus on work, take care of errands, or get some sleep knowing their loved ones are being looked after.

Paying for a Senior Sitting Service

Most seniors and their families find that the majority of the state, federal, and private insurance coverage policies don't cover the costs associated with non-medical care, including senior sitters or companions for older adults.

That’s why it’s most common to pay out of pocket for sitters and companions. Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, private insurance, long-term care policies, and Veterans services typically do not cover companion care, but check your policy, as some pay for respite care. Medicaid might cover companion care for low-income seniors as part of a broader plan, but it depends on the specific state requirements.

Are There Senior Sitters Near Me?

Need help finding a senior sitter or companion? Contact one of our senior living representatives today on our senior helpline to learn about senior sitters near you today. You can also visit our senior directory to compare your options.