Companionship care is regular visiting support for older people who would otherwise spend most of their day alone. It provides structure, conversation and the reassurance of a familiar face. From £31 per hour, VAT-exempt.
CQC-regulated and rated Good. Registered Manager Courtney Pike. 9.9/10 on homecare.co.uk.
Why companionship matters
Spending most of the day alone is not a neutral state for most people. Age UK research identifies loneliness as a significant health concern in later life, associated with increased risk of depression, cognitive decline and deterioration in physical health.
For many older people, the loss of regular social contact happens gradually. A partner dies. Friends become less mobile. Driving stops. Children are busy. What starts as a quiet week becomes a quiet month, and then a pattern.
A regular companionship visit doesn’t solve all of that. But it provides something consistent: a person who comes at a set time, who is interested in what the person has to say, who shares a meal or a cup of tea, and who notices how they are.
What a companionship visit involves
Companionship visits are flexible and built around the person. They are not passive. A visit is typically an hour or more, and might include:
- Conversation and social engagement.
- Help with a hobby, reading or correspondence.
- A walk or time outdoors if the person is able and willing.
- Assistance with meals or drinks, if that is part of the plan.
- Light engagement activities suited to the person’s interests.
- Welfare checks and observation, with any concerns reported to the family.
Companionship visits can also incorporate practical support, such as help with medication prompts or light personal care, if these are part of the agreed plan.
Companionship as a first step
For many families, companionship is how care begins. A parent who resists the word “carer” or “care” is often more comfortable accepting a regular visitor. The same person each time. Someone who comes for a cup of tea and a chat, not to take over.
Over time, as the relationship builds and trust is established, additional support can be introduced naturally. Many clients who started with companionship visits eventually added personal care, medication support or other help, because the foundation of familiarity was already there.
If a parent or partner is reluctant about care, starting with companionship is often the most practical route in.
Welfare checks as a standalone visit
For families whose main concern is knowing that someone is safe and mobile at home, a shorter welfare check can be arranged. A carer visits, confirms the person is well, makes a drink, checks medication and reports back to the family. Simple, practical and reliable.
This is particularly useful for long-distance families, or those who are managing daily care themselves but want a midday check while they are at work.
Keeping families informed
After each visit, carers record notes, observations and any concerns via the Birdie platform. Authorised family members can see these updates in real time through the Birdie Family App. If something needs following up, we contact the family directly. Read more about how we keep families updated.
Costs
Companionship visits are charged at our standard visiting care rates: £31 per hour, or £17 for a 30-minute visit, plus a £2.50 flat travel charge per visit. Care services are VAT-exempt.
Companionship care can be funded through Direct Payments if someone has been assessed by their local council as having eligible needs. Private funding is the most common route for companionship-focused visits. Full costs and funding detail.
FAQs
What is companionship care?
Companionship care is regular visiting support focused on social connection, structure and wellbeing, rather than primarily on personal care tasks. Visits involve conversation, shared activity, assistance with meals or hobbies, and welfare checks. They are carried out by familiar, directly employed carers.
Is companionship care suitable for someone with dementia?
Yes. Regular, familiar visits can be particularly reassuring for people with dementia, providing routine and a consistent friendly presence. Companionship visits can be combined with personal care or memory support as part of a wider dementia care plan. Read more about our dementia-informed care.
Can companionship care replace a care home placement?
For many people, yes. Regular visits, combined with other support where needed, can allow someone to stay safely at home for significantly longer. Whether this is the right approach depends on the person’s needs, safety and wishes, which we discuss during a care assessment.
Will the same carer come each time?
We aim to keep each client’s care team to a maximum of four familiar carers, with introductions before care starts wherever possible. The relationship between a carer and client is particularly important in companionship care, and we work to protect that continuity.
Can a companionship visit include practical help as well?
Yes. If someone needs medication prompts, help with a meal, or light personal care support in addition to companionship, this can be built into the care plan. We agree exactly what each visit covers during the assessment.
We provide companionship care in Newark, Grantham, Bingham, Retford, Ollerton and Southwell and the surrounding villages.
Call 01636 646915, email hello@helpingathome.co.uk, or request a care assessment and we’ll talk through what regular visits could look like. There’s no obligation to anything.
