Companionship Services for the Elderly
Our companionship services for the elderly are simple: a friendly, familiar face who turns up, sits down for a cup of tea, and gives your mum or dad someone to talk to and do things with. Elderly companion care here means regular, friendly company, not personal or clinical care. Companionship care services, as we use the term, means regular company, conversation and help with everyday outings, not personal or clinical care.
What does an elderly companion do?
An elderly companion makes a regular visit for a chat and a cup of tea. They might walk with your parent to the shops, help with a bit of light tidying or give them a lift to an appointment. Elderly companionship means regular, friendly company at home and out and about, without personal care.
What companionship can help with
- Keeping active and getting out of the house
- Having company and someone to chat to
- Building confidence to go outside again
- Joining in with hobbies and activities, at home or out and about
- Help getting to the shops, an appointment or a favourite walk
- Giving families a rest from caring, with peace of mind
Why companionship matters
Loneliness is hard on older people. It affects mood, confidence and health. A lot of the families we help simply want their relative to have company and conversation: someone to look forward to, whether they live alone, don't see family as often as they'd like, or just want a companion when they go out. That's exactly what our elder companion services are built around.
Curious what it costs? See our companionship pricing. Companionship often starts long before anyone thinks about care: this is the help that comes before care.
How AirCarers is different
Unlike a traditional agency, you choose the companion. Every companion sets their own rate and writes their own profile, so you can pick the right person for the visit, whether that's a relaxed afternoon together or a steady hand to an appointment. Companions set their own hourly rate, and most of what you pay goes to the companion. Your money buys real time with someone who wants to be there. Everyone is DBS-checked, insured and trained under the oversight of Lucie Evans, our Head of Local Growth & Trust and Designated Safeguarding Lead, and we're local to Hertford, Ware, Hoddesdon, Broxbourne, Bishop's Stortford and Sawbridgeworth, across SG11 to SG14 and EN10 to EN11.
What companionship is not
Common questions
What is a senior companion?
A senior companion is a friendly, vetted local companion who provides regular companion visits for the elderly, for company, conversation, walks and outings, plus a bit of practical help around the home such as a cup of tea, a hand with light tasks, or a lift to an appointment. Every AirCarers companion is DBS-checked, insured and trained under the oversight of Lucie Evans, our Head of Local Growth & Trust and Designated Safeguarding Lead. This is companionship, not personal or clinical care.
How much does a senior companion cost?
Companionship starts from £25 an hour. Each companion's rate is shown clearly on their profile, typically £25 to £35 an hour. Companions set their own hourly rate, and most of what you pay goes to the companion. See our full breakdown on the companionship pricing page.
Is a companion the same as a carer?
Not quite. A companion focuses on friendship, conversation and everyday support like getting out of the house, while a carer or care worker provides regulated personal care such as washing, dressing or medication. AirCarers Companion is not a CQC-regulated care agency, and our companions do not provide personal or clinical care.
Do companions make home visits for elderly people?
Yes. A companion makes regular home visits for a chat and a cup of tea, and can also go out with your parent, for example to the shops, a favourite walk or an appointment. Visits start from one hour. This is companionship, not personal or clinical care.
Can a companion help with shopping for an elderly person?
Yes. A companion can walk to the shops with your parent and help with everyday errands and shopping. This is companionship and light practical help, not personal or clinical care.
What is a sitting service for the elderly?
A sitting service means someone stays with an older person for a few hours, so family or an unpaid carer can have a break. An AirCarers companion can do this as a companionship visit, from an hour up to a full day, but does not provide personal or clinical care.