Live-in Companions

People in need of assistance or help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and/or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) can work with an agency or directly hire a live-in companion to provide Services & Supports in their own home. Individuals can receive 24/7 home care coverage or perhaps just opt to receive night time care. Live-in companions provide a broad range of services to address the specific needs and preferences of the individual.

These live-in companions, also referred to as live-in caregivers, can either live in their own residence or live in the home of the individual they are assisting. In either situation, there should be a room available in the home of the individual in need of care that they can assign to the live-in companion. Live-in companions may work in teams to provide care for an individual, especially if the live-in has a separate residence.

For individuals using an agency for live-in companion services, eligibility is determined by each respective agency.

Live-in companions provide similar services as other forms of home care. These include such services and tasks as:

• Homemaking and cleaning
• Personal care assistance
• Medication monitoring
• Grocery shopping and meal preparation
• Running errands and transportation to local destinations
• Household duties such as feeding pets, bookkeeping and answering the telephone and door
• Arranging for home repairs and maintenance

If trained, live-in companions may also provide skilled nursing care.

Veterans:
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has no formal live-in companion program. However, financial assistance programs offered by the VA can be used to pay for a live-in companion. Read more about Veterans-Directed Home and Community Based Services and Veterans’ Pensions.

Private Pay:
Private pay refers to using personal funds to cover all or a portion of an expense. There are different ways to acquire private pay resources.

Reverse Mortgages:
A reverse mortgage is a type of home loan older homeowners can use to tap accrued equity in their house for cash. Recipients can use the money to pay off debts, supplement other income, or pay healthcare expenses.