Short answer: Companion care provides older adults in Pennsylvania with socialization, daily support, and help with household tasks like meal preparation and laundry. A senior companion at home keeps your loved one safe when they do not need hands-on medical care.

What companion care includes under PA law

Under Pennsylvania law, companionship services for the elderly in PA include socialization, support, and help with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). A senior companion at home keeps your loved one active and safe. They handle routine tasks so you do not have to do everything yourself.

These services are non-medical. Aides do not give injections, manage wound care, or perform nursing assessments.

Task Type	Examples of Help Provided
Conversation & Activities	Socialization, reading together, playing games, and providing general support.
Accompanying	Going with your loved one to appointments, the pharmacy, the grocery store, or other community errands.
Meal Preparation	Planning meals, cooking, and washing dishes used during meal prep.
Reminders	Reminding your loved one to take self-administered medications on time.
Light Housekeeping	Laundry, tidying up, taking out the trash.

Caregivers are trained to recognize changes in your loved one’s condition and report them. Section 12006 of the 21st Century Cures Act requires states to use Electronic Visit Verification for Medicaid personal care services. For Medicaid-funded visits, aides clock in and out electronically so each visit is recorded.

Companion care vs personal care

Companion care covers non-medical household support and socialization. It does not include hands-on physical assistance. When your loved one needs physical help with daily routines, they need a different level of support.

Service Feature	Companion Care	Personal Care
Hands-on physical help	No	Yes
Bathing, grooming, and dressing	No	Yes
Toileting and incontinence care	No	Yes
Transferring (e.g., bed to chair)	No	Yes
Household tasks and socialization	Yes	Yes

If your loved one requires physical assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), read about our personal care options. Both are part of our broader senior care offerings. Note that home health aide services and skilled nursing are separate services prescribed by a doctor.

Who it fits

This service helps older adults who live alone and need someone to check in on them. More than one out of four older people falls each year. Conditions like Parkinson’s disease cause slowness, balance problems, and freezing in place, which raise fall risk. A companion helps keep the home environment safe and organized.

It is also useful for seniors experiencing early memory changes. Six in 10 people living with dementia will wander at least once. A companion provides supervision and helps maintain a structured daily routine. If your loved one experiences increased confusion in the evening, known as sundowning, a caregiver can keep the home well-lit and engage them in calming activities. You can learn more about our dementia support services.

Companion care also provides relief for family members. If you are a relative caring for a loved one, a companion can stay with them while you take a break. This is known as respite care.

Need a caregiver in Philadelphia? Call 215-974-0000 or fill out our online form. Choose “I am a client” and then “I need services” to get started. Our office staff speak English, Russian, and Ukrainian.

How it’s paid for in Philadelphia

Many families ask how to cover the cost of a home care aide. Funding depends on your loved one’s eligibility for specific programs.

Payer	Covers Companion Care?	Notes
Community HealthChoices (CHC)	Yes (if approved)	Covered when the help is part of Personal Assistance Services (for example, supervision or help with daily tasks) or respite in the plan. The service coordinator sets the hours.
Medicare	No	Medicare does not cover 24-hour care or personal/companion care when that is the only care needed. It only pays for an aide alongside part-time skilled nursing or therapy.
Private Pay	Yes	You pay out of pocket. We explain our rates when you call to set up a schedule.
Veterans Affairs (VA)	Yes (for eligible veterans)	Eligible veterans may use Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care or Veteran-Directed Care. Ask a VA social worker to start.
Long-Term Care Insurance	Varies	Coverage depends entirely on your specific policy rules.

To get services paid through Medicaid, your loved one must apply for the CHC waiver. This requires meeting financial and functional rules. For 2026, the income limit is $2,982 per month. The functional assessment is done by the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA).

Veterans who do not qualify for VA home care programs directly might qualify for a VA pension. Aid and Attendance is an increased pension amount for eligible veterans, and the pension can help pay for care.

Can a family member be the paid caregiver?

Yes. Family members can be paid to provide care through the Pennsylvania CHC waiver. You can work through a licensed agency like New Century Home Care or use the Services My Way program.

The CHC waiver will not pay for services furnished by the participant’s spouse, legal guardian, representative payee, or power of attorney (POA). If you do not hold one of these roles, you may be eligible. Find out how to get paid to care for a relative.

When you work as a caregiver through New Century Home Care, you receive weekly pay, direct deposit, paid sick days, and holiday pay. We also offer a $350 signing bonus, a free health insurance plan (available), free life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan.

How to start with New Century

Setting up services with New Century Home Care takes a few steps.

1. Call 215-974-0000 or submit our online form. We will ask about your loved one’s daily needs, preferred schedule, and payment method.
2. If your loved one uses a CHC plan like Keystone First or AmeriHealth Caritas, tell their service coordinator you choose New Century Home Care. If you are paying privately, we will agree on a schedule directly.
3. We match your loved one with a caregiver. Before hiring, we ensure every worker passes a Pennsylvania criminal history check, provides two references from non-relatives, and meets state competency requirements.

Ready to arrange care? Contact us today. Call 215-974-0000 or fill out the form by selecting “I am a client” followed by “I need services”.

Frequently asked questions

Does Medicare pay for companion care for seniors?

No. Medicare does not cover 24-hour care, personal care, or companion care when that is the only care needed. It only pays for a home health aide when your loved one also receives part-time skilled nursing or therapy services for a homebound condition.

Who pays for companion care?

Payment depends on your eligibility for specific programs. The Pennsylvania Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver pays for services if you meet financial and functional rules. Eligible veterans can use VA programs. Otherwise, families pay out of pocket or use long-term care insurance.

How much does companionship care cost?

Costs vary based on your location and the services required. If you qualify for the CHC waiver or VA benefits, the programs cover the cost of approved hours. For private pay rates in Philadelphia, call us to discuss your schedule.

How many hours of companion care can I schedule?

If you use the CHC waiver, your service coordinator sets your approved hours in your person-centered service plan. If you pay privately, we will agree on a schedule that fits your loved one’s needs, from a few hours a week to daily support.

How do you choose the caregiver?

We match your loved one with an aide based on their needs and schedule. Under Pennsylvania law, every caregiver must pass a criminal history check, provide two non-family references, and meet the state’s competency requirement (exam or training) before they start working.