How much does a home health aide cost compared with a companion?

A home health aide usually costs more than a companion because the aide is certified and trained to give hands-on personal care, while a companion typically provides supervision, conversation, errands and light housekeeping without hands-on personal care.

What the higher aide rate usually pays for:

• State training and certification.
• Hands-on help: bathing, toileting, dressing, transfers, walking.
• Working from a care plan with nurse supervision at a licensed agency.
• Trained observation, such as noticing skin changes, falls risk or confusion.

When a companion may be enough: the person bathes, dresses and uses the toilet independently, but needs company, reminders, meals, rides or errands, or should not be alone for safety.

When an aide is usually needed: any help with bathing, toileting, dressing, getting in and out of bed, or walking, or dementia that requires hands-on care. Needs often grow, so ask whether the agency can switch from companion to aide without a new search.

Check what each quote includes: minimum hours, nurse supervision, and backup when the caregiver is sick.

At ProLife, home health aides, personal care aides and dementia-trained aides are all the same rate, from $32/hour; see https://prolifehc.com/private-home-care/.