Companion Services
Companion Services
Maintain Your Independence With a Helping Hand
Every person deserves to feel valued, enjoy social connections, and have optimism. For some, it’s hard to maintain a sense of purpose and an active social life because mental illness, developmental issues, or physical health become hurdles.
Skills of Central PA‘s companion services bridge the gap between an independent lifestyle and the need for assistance. A companion doesn’t take away your freedom or sense of worth. Instead, you have a friend offering a helping hand when you need it. This ensures you thrive in your home and community.
What are Companion Services?
Companion services provide non-medical assistance and emotional support to people 18 or older who need it. Unlike medical care, which involves professionals such as licensed nursing assistants and physical therapists, companion care focuses solely on helping individuals maintain their independence at home through holistic services.
With the help of a companion aide, people have extra support at home and when running errands, ensuring their safety during their daily routines. It’s a personalized service that matches the client’s needs, whether that’s having a companion every day or just a couple of days a week. The range of services includes:
Companionship: The client has a friend for conversations, playing games, reading books, sharing meals, and watching movies/TV.
Daily assistance: Help with light housekeeping (dishes, dusting, laundry, trash, and vacuuming) and personal care (hair and makeup, nails, showering, and dressing).
Meal planning and preparation: If a person cannot cook a meal without risking their safety, companions can help plan and prepare nutritious, satisfying meals. This service includes accompanying the client on shopping trips, choosing and purchasing necessary ingredients, putting away groceries, and preparing meals at the requested time. They can also ensure water is available and consumed to prevent dehydration.
Medication and appointment reminders: Companions cannot administer medications such as insulin, but they can provide verbal prompts to remind the client to take them at the appropriate times. They also offer reminders when an appointment is approaching or needs to be scheduled.
Respite care for family caregivers: One of the most challenging aspects of family caregiving is the lack of time off. You’re often with your loved one 24/7. It’s easy to burn out. Companion services give you the option to take a few hours or a few days off, or to go to work, without worrying about your family member being left alone while you’re away.
Transportation and mobility support: Companions provide safe rides and accompaniment to appointments, social events, and stores. They also join their clients on walks around the neighborhood or a local park and help them walk up and down the stairs in their home.
Explore the Benefits of Companion Care
All of these services provide a range of emotional, mental, and physical benefits that directly improve our client’s daily life.
Combats isolation and depression: Studies show that chronic isolation and loneliness impact your physical health. Regular social interactions boost your mood and lower anxiety and stress, which reduces the risk of depression.
Enhances home safety: Sometimes, a person with physical or developmental limitations is at risk in their own home without help. Companion care aides can spot hazards like a curled-up rug or icy front steps. They can make sure appliances are turned off after cooking a meal. If there is an emergency, they’re on-site and can call the appropriate organization.
Improves health outcomes: Companions make sure medical appointments are scheduled and medications are taken correctly. They cook nutritious meals. All of this improves a person’s health.
Preserves independence: Instead of moving to a group home or assisted living setting, individuals stay in their own homes and in control of their activities, interests, and lifestyle.
Who Do Companion Services Help?
When you arrange companion services, the plan is customized to your needs. They’re not one-size-fits-all. Because of this, they can help a variety of people. Companions can help in all of these situations.
Adults with developmental or physical disabilities.
Family members who don’t live close enough to spend time with aging family members.
Patients recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery.
People experiencing a cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer’s.
Older adults who wish to age in place.
Frequently Asked Questions for Pennsylvanians
Navigating home care options, such as companion care, is often confusing due to the complexity of funding and regulatory requirements. We’ve included some of the questions Pennsylvanians ask us most often.
What is the difference between home health care and companion care?
To better understand these services, you need to understand the scope of what the caregivers are legally allowed to do.
Companion care: Non-medical support.
Home health care: Clinical medical support
Can a companion transport my loved one in our family’s car?
Yes, most companion services offer transportation. While a companion has a fully insured car available for transportation to stores or appointments, you’re welcome to request that the caregiver use your family car.
Are companion services regulated in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania requires companion care agencies to be licensed and regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH). This ensures that agencies comply with regulations, such as those requiring background checks and comprehensive training programs. Make sure to ask if the DOH licenses any agencies you contact.
Does Medicare cover companion services in Pennsylvania?
Generally, no. Traditional Medicare covers only acute medical care and short-term skilled home health care services ordered by a physician.
If you have Medicare Advantage (Part C), some plans now offer supplemental benefits that can cover a limited number of hours of companion care. It’s coverage you must sign up for and pay the additional cost. Check with your specific plan provider to see if it’s an option.
Can I get financial assistance through state programs?
There are a couple of Pennsylvania assistance options available that may help, but they’re often restricted to people with incomes below certain thresholds.
Community HealthChoices (CHC): This is a Medicaid managed care program for people who meet the criteria for “nursing facility level of care.” If you meet the financial requirements, the CHC waiver can cover some non-medical and companion care costs.
OPTIONS: Local Agencies on Aging run the OPTIONS program for adults 60 or older. It’s a program that operates on a sliding financial scale and helps people who don’t qualify for Medicaid but still need help with activities of daily living.
When you call Skills of Central PA, we can go over the costs and help you determine if you might qualify for any financial assistance programs.
How are your companion care providers vetted and screened?
Reputable, licensed agencies in Pennsylvania are legally required to complete thorough background checks. This includes a Pennsylvania State Police criminal history record check.
If the applicant has not been a resident of PA for the full two years before applying, a federal (FBI) fingerprint background check is also required.
In addition, we carefully interview our caregivers, verify their references, and provide ongoing training while they’re part of the team at Skills.
Embrace Your Independence With Companion Care Services
Whether you need help for a few hours each week or require daily assistance for a loved one, Skills of Central PA is here to help. We carefully match our clients with companion care providers who share similar interests, values, and personalities. This ensures a strong bond from the start.
Our team offers person-centered care plans tailored to the client’s needs. The ability to embrace your independence and dignity throughout your life is our goal. Contact Skills of Central PA today for more information or to ask about anything we haven’t covered.
Services are available in the following counties:
Blair County
Clearfield County
Jefferson County