What does companionship care for older people mean?

Companionship care is home-based support focused on company and emotional wellbeing, rather than medical need. A carer visits or lives with your loved one to offer conversation, share activities, and help them stay connected, alongside practical help around the home.

How do I choose a companionship care provider?

Look for a provider that lets you meet or speak with carers before you commit, matches carers by personality and interests as well as availability, and is clear about costs and how carers are vetted. Every carer on the Elder platform goes through an enhanced DBS check, right-to-work verification, and at least two professional references before they're introduced to a family.

Why choose companionship care?

Companionship care is worth considering when a loved one is otherwise safe and well but would benefit from regular company, structure, and someone to share their day with. It's often a gentler first step into care than personal or medical support, and it can flex over time if their needs change.

What's the difference between companionship care and personal care?

Companionship care focuses on company, conversation and emotional support. Personal care covers hands-on help with things like washing, dressing and medication. Many carers can offer both, and the balance can shift as your loved one's needs change.

Can companionship care be funded?

Companionship care isn't available directly through the NHS, since it falls under social care rather than medical care. Your loved one's local council can carry out a care needs assessment to see if they're eligible for funding support. Find out more in our guide to funding care.

Companionship care for elderly people

Companionship care offers meaningful company, emotional support, and helps older people stay connected to the world around them. At Elder, you can find visiting and live-in companionship care, matched to your loved one's needs, through our platform of self-employed carers.

Find a carer 0333 920 3648

Older woman chatting with her carer on the sofa

Carer helping elderly woman with walking

What is companionship care?

Companionship care supports older people experiencing loneliness, social isolation, or a need for emotional connection. It can mean visiting carers who come by during the day, or live-in carers who provide round-the-clock company.

Unlike care that's focused only on physical tasks, companionship care puts mental wellbeing first. It helps older people keep enjoying hobbies, social activities and daily routines, while staying safe and supported.

Why is companionship so important in later life?

Loneliness in older people

Social networks often shrink with age. Age UK's research shows that 940,000 people aged 65 and over in the UK are often lonely – around 1 in 14 of that age group (Age UK, 2024). Loneliness like this can reduce confidence, motivation and quality of life. You can read more in our guide to spotting the signs of loneliness in older people.

Loneliness at Christmas

Christmas can be an especially isolating time for older people. Age UK's ongoing campaign highlights that over a million older people face loneliness over the festive period. Shorter days, cold weather and closed services can all make things harder – which is exactly when companionship care can matter most.

Types of companionship care services

Visiting companionship care
A good fit for older people who are largely independent. A carer can visit regularly for company, help around the home, meal preparation, or getting out and about.
Live-in companionship care
For those who want more support or company throughout the day, live-in care offers round-the-clock companionship and personal care, in the comfort of home.
Befriending services and social clubs
For older people who want to stay socially active, volunteer-led befriending services and local social groups offer friendship and connection, often free of charge. Find out more in our guide to befriending services for older people.

Find a carer 0333 920 3648

What does a companionship carer do?

Companionship carers help older people live fulfilling, independent lives, including:

Emotional support: listening, reminiscing, and meaningful conversation
Supporting interests: encouraging hobbies and favourite activities
Meal assistance: cooking, sharing meals, and promoting nutrition
Daily activities and outings: shopping, appointments, trips and social events
Domestic help: light household chores, laundry, tidying
Continuity: a consistent carer builds trust and a stronger relationship over time

What are the benefits of companionship care?

Reduced loneliness and social isolation
Improved mental wellbeing and confidence
More daily motivation and structure
Reassurance for family members
Safe support with hobbies, outings and social events

Real families, real stories

Real stories of companionship care

Every family's story is different. Here's how companionship care has helped people stay connected, safe and supported at home.

How companionship care helped David keep his loved one at home

"Susan, who's the carer currently, she's been absolutely brilliant. She's like part of the family."

Read David’s story

How companionship care gave Sharon peace of mind

"I don't get as stressed out knowing that someone is here with my mum."

Read Sharon’s story

How a companionship carer helped Hayley’s dad get back on his feet

"It was Norman really who helped him get back on his feet in the park."

Read Hayley’s story

How much does companionship care cost in the UK?

The cost of companionship care varies quite a bit, depending on the level of support your loved one needs.

Visiting care is usually the most affordable option, and you pay for the hours of care you use. Prices start from £30 an hour, so a few hours a week could come below £100.

If your loved one needs full-time support, or more help with daily tasks, visiting care can end up costing about the same as live-in care.

With Elder, live-in care starts from £1,150 a week. For that, your loved one has a companion with them 24/7, plus more personalised support for your money. See our guide to the differences between live-in care and visiting care to weigh up which type of care fits your loved one best.

Your loved one may be eligible for funding from their local council towards the cost of care. Ask the social services department for a care needs assessment, which works out whether they qualify for paid help. They'll follow this with a financial assessment, looking at their finances to see how much they'd need to pay, if anything – more on this in our guide to the cost of care.

Companionship care wherever your loved one lives

Elder doesn't work branch by branch. Because carers are self-employed and based all over the UK, you can be matched with a companionship carer close to your loved one, wherever they live, whether that’s London, Manchester or any other major UK city.

Find a carer 0333 920 3648