Get Paid to Be a Friend
- Make a Difference
- Do Something Meaningful
- Earn Extra Income
- Be a Companion Caregiver
A Companion Caregiver, sometimes called a Respite caregiver, is someone who provides friendship and companionship to the frail elderly, the homebound or those with special needs.
Families or individuals hire Companion Caregivers to enrich the lives of their loved ones.
To be a Companion Caregiver it helps to have patience, compassion and to be a "people person."
There are no set rules on what a companion caregiver does and does not do. It may only involve talking or reading to someone. It may involve going places or light errands. It shouldn't involve anything medical, unless you are qualified to provide that type of service.
If offering someone companion care -- even just for a couple of hours a week -- sounds like something you would enjoy, we encourage you to join Neighbor Hire and fill out a profile to place in the Companion Care category. Membership is free for all caregivers.
Families needing a Companion Caregiver will contact you directly. You should always be very clear up front about what you will and will not do in your role as a Companion Caregiver.
As for what to charge, it depends on you. Typically it's between $7 and $20 an hour, depending where your location, life experience and what you will be doing. You may even want to offer a sliding scale -- or range -- which allows people to pay you based on what they can afford. And if you don't need the money, it's a great way to volunteer -- perhaps give your pay to charity.
Join Now.