Companion Care
As a friend and emotional support companion, help keep loneliness at bay for patients of all ages.
In addition to a main caregiver, clients may also qualify for a Home Care Companion. A Companion is there to provide friendship and company to their client, supporting them emotionally with their presence and a listening ear. This position is vital to helping families feel better knowing that someone is attending to their loved one—keeping their loneliness at bay. Companion care jobs may involve escorting clients to appointments, playing games, taking walks, or simply having involved conversations. These roles are non-nursing, and are instead centered around socialization and engaging activities.
Individuals who will perform well in these roles are outgoing, friendly, enthusiastic, and willing to be a friend to anyone in need. You will be expected to get to know your client well and to provide the type of activities and companionship that your client enjoys. Those activities could include gardening, reading, picnics in a park, bingo, sharing a meal together, and more.
No hands-on or medical duties are involved in Companion caretaker jobs. These positions are strictly companionship related, though occasionally, light housekeeping and snack preparation are expected. Transportation to and from activities may also be required.
Educational Requirements
Most states do not require any additional education to become a Home Care Companion. However, some training requirements may be expected based on the individual agency or the client involved in the care. This individual training could include information on cultural awareness, emergency situations, communication, active-listening, and more.
MAS Home Care has many Companion caregiver jobs available in Massachusetts.
| Initial Training | In-Service Training | Supervision | BG Checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-hour orientation recommended by the MA Council, but no training is required. | Based on agency policy, but not required by the MA Council. | Based on agency policy, MA Council recommends in-home supervision at least once every 6 months, but none is required. |
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Job Outlook and Career Ladder
Increasingly, families are choosing to keep their loved ones in the comfort of their own homes, where they can enjoy the perks of living in a familiar environment. As the number of people aged 85+ is expected to triple by 2040, so will the need for caring individuals to assume the role of Home Care Companions. Companion care jobs could even be the starting point of your life-long career in healthcare. However, these jobs are typically part-time and offer schedule flexibility if that is important to you.
Home Care Companions who enjoy engaging with patients as a supportive friend may decide to gain additional training, which would allow them to take care of clients on a deeper level. If this is you, the next step to consider is becoming a Home Health Aide. In this position, you would assist your clients with their personal needs. You could also become certified or licensed as a Nursing Assistant, which would allow you the opportunity to perform some basic medical duties including dressing wounds and reporting on vitals. In either case, Companion care jobs are a great stepping stone to the rest of your life in the healthcare industry.