Blog · 5 min read
Non-Medical Companionship vs. Home Healthcare: Choosing the Right Support
Families often use "home care" to mean two very different things: hands-on help with daily living, and simple human company. Knowing which one your parent needs, or whether they need both, keeps you from paying for the wrong thing.
When a Senior Needs Physical Help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Activities of daily living include bathing, dressing, eating, mobility and managing medication. If your parent struggles with these, they need a personal support worker or a nurse, not a companion.
EverHello is a non-medical companionship service. We do not provide nursing or personal care, and we will say so plainly if a family needs more than we offer.
When Social Isolation Is the Core Challenge: The Dignity of Phone Calls
Some parents manage the practical side of life well but spend most days with little conversation. For them, the missing piece is company, not care.
A phone call asks nothing of the home or the person's appearance. It respects their independence, and it works on the landline they already have. See how this looks in practice with our companion care in Ottawa.
Cost Comparisons: $35/hr Agency Home Care vs. Accessible Weekly Calls
Agency home care is commonly quoted at around $35 an hour, and rates vary by region and service. At that price, a few hours a week adds up quickly.
A weekly companion call is a different kind of service at a different price point, and we are open about what it does and does not cover. If conversation is the need, it can be a far more accessible way to meet it.
Combining In-Person Family Visits with Virtual Mid-Week Check-Ins
The two work well together. Weekend visits cover groceries and errands, and a mid-week companion call fills the quiet middle of the week.
If you would like to talk it through, our team can help you work out the right mix. You can also apply to become a companion yourself.