Companion care in Central Ohio

In short: companion care is non-medical, in-home support that keeps an older adult company and helps with everyday life — conversation, meals, light housekeeping, errands, transportation, and medication reminders — so they can stay safe, engaged, and independent at home.

What is companion care?

At its heart, companion care is about human connection: a dependable person who brings company and support with daily routines. It's designed for older adults who don't need medical or hands-on personal care, but who benefit from supervision, encouragement, and the reassurance of not being alone. For families, it also means peace of mind — someone caring is checking in.

What companionship looks like

• Conversation, listening, and genuine friendship
• Favorite hobbies, games, music, and reminiscence
• Walks, outings, and help staying connected to community and family
• Encouragement with daily routines and gentle social engagement
• Consistent caregivers so a real relationship can grow

What a companion caregiver does

• Companionship & social engagement — conversation, shared activities, hobbies, games, and outings that ease isolation
• Meal preparation — planning and cooking nourishing meals to preference and dietary needs (meal preparation)
• Light housekeeping — tidying, dishes, and laundry to keep the home safe and comfortable (light housekeeping)
• Transportation & errands — rides to appointments, the pharmacy, and the grocery store (transportation assistance)
• Medication reminders — timely prompts to stay on schedule (reminders, not administration) (medication reminders)
• Wellness check-ins — regular, non-medical checks on comfort, safety, and well-being (wellness visits)
• Support for routines — the steady rhythm that helps someone feel settled and safe

What companion care is not

Companion caregivers do not provide medical care, administer medication, or perform hands-on personal care such as bathing, toileting, or transfers requiring clinical training. Those needs call for personal care aides or licensed medical professionals. Haven Grove provides private-pay companion care only — not home health, skilled nursing, hospice, or insurance-based care. If a medical need arises, we'll help you understand the difference and point you toward the right resource.

Companion care vs. personal care vs. home health

These three terms are often confused, and knowing the difference saves families time and money:

Many families use companion care for the majority of the week and bring in personal or medical care only for the specific tasks that require it. Our companion care vs. personal care comparison and senior care options guide map the full spectrum.

Who benefits from companion care?

• Older adults who want to keep living in their own home (see aging-in-place support)
• People recovering from an illness, surgery, or a hospital stay (see coming home from the hospital)
• Those experiencing loneliness, or early memory changes (see memory companionship)
• Family caregivers who need a dependable break (see respite care)
• Long-distance families who want trusted eyes and ears locally

The benefits families notice most

Less isolation. Regular company and conversation support emotional well-being, which is closely tied to healthier aging. More safety. A caregiver notices hazards, keeps routines on track, and flags changes early. Real relief. Family caregivers get to rest and be family again. Dignity. Help is delivered with warmth and respect, on your loved one's terms.

Signs it may be time

Any one of these is worth a conversation: growing isolation or low mood, missed meals or medications, a less-tidy home, unopened mail or unpaid bills, giving up driving, recent falls or unsteadiness, weight loss, or a family caregiver who is stretched thin. You don't have to wait for a crisis — starting early, with just a few hours a week, is often the easiest transition. Not sure? Take our free Family Peace of Mind Assessment or read the signs a parent needs help.

What a typical week looks like

There's no single template, but a common start is a few visits a week: perhaps a caregiver who prepares lunch and shares conversation on some days, drives to a Tuesday appointment, tidies up and does laundry, and provides a reassuring check-in over the weekend. As comfort and trust grow, many families add hours, evenings, or overnight support.

Companion care in Central Ohio

Haven Grove Home Care is based in Columbus and serves families across Central Ohio, including New Albany, Dublin, Upper Arlington, Powell, Worthington, Westerville, Hilliard, and Gahanna. See all service areas.

What does companion care cost?

Companion care is typically billed hourly, and the total depends on the number of hours, the schedule, and the level of support. It's usually private-pay, sometimes helped by long-term care insurance or veterans' benefits. Our cost of companion care guide and guide to paying for home care walk through every option.

How to get started

1. A short conversation about your loved one's needs
2. A free in-home consultation
3. A personalized care plan
4. A thoughtful caregiver match
5. The first visit — with ongoing check-ins to make sure it's working

Read how to choose a provider and the questions to ask first, or explore how we approach trust and safety.

Common questions

Is companion care the same as home health care?

No — companion care is non-medical daily support and company; home health is clinical care from licensed professionals. See our full FAQ.

How many hours do most families start with?

It varies — many begin with a few hours a couple of days a week and adjust over time.

Will my loved one have the same caregiver?

Consistency matters, especially for memory changes, so we aim to keep a dependable caregiver relationship steady over time.

Related: Cost of companion care · Respite care · Memory companionship · Aging in place · FAQ · Education Center