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Companion Care Services in Philadelphia & Bucks County | A-Team Home Care

Companion care services from A-Team Home Care keep seniors and adults in Philadelphia and Bucks County safely connected at home. Care includes conversation, light housekeeping, errands, meal preparation, and aging-in-place support that protects against the health risks of social isolation. ACHC-accredited. RN-supervised. Pennsylvania Medicaid CHC, long-term care insurance, and private pay.

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⭐ Family Caregiver Program ⭐

Already Providing Companion Care? You Can Get Paid For It.

If you're an adult family member already keeping mom or dad company, running errands, or helping around the house for a loved one on Pennsylvania Medicaid — you may qualify to be paid as a Direct Care Worker.

PA Community HealthChoices PCA Philadelphia OPTIONS JFCS Enrollment State-Provided DCW Training Included Spouses & POA holders excluded by state rule
See If You Qualify → Free · No obligation · 5-minute call

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Definition · Companion Care

What Is Companion Care? (Definition & Who It's For)

Companion care is non-medical, non-hands-on in-home care that keeps a senior or adult safe, engaged, and socially connected at home. A companion caregiver provides conversation, supervision, light housekeeping, errands, transportation, meal preparation, and medication reminders. These are the things a healthy older adult typically does for themselves, but increasingly can't or shouldn't do alone.

Companion care is the category of home care built around Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) like meal preparation, housekeeping, transportation, medication management, and communication. It is not hands-on Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and toileting. Families typically choose companion care when an aging parent is physically capable but should not spend the day alone.

At A-Team Home Care, companion care services are delivered by state-trained Direct Care Workers under the supervision of a registered nurse, with care plans built around the client's actual day. We serve companion care in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester counties.

Companion Care Services · 8 Categories

Companion Care Services A-Team Provides

A-Team companion care services are organized around the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living that keep an older adult independent at home. Every visit is built around the client's day, not a fixed checklist.

Friendly Conversation

One-on-one talk, reading aloud, life-story sharing, puzzles, card games, and music. This is the human contact that lowers the clinical risk of social isolation.

Light Housekeeping

Vacuuming, dusting, tidying living areas, laundry, linen changes, and dishwashing. Housekeeping is the IADL most seniors first struggle with.

Errands & Shopping

Grocery runs, pharmacy pickup, bank trips, and dry cleaning. Community-mobility IADL support that keeps a senior connected to their neighborhood.

Transportation to Appointments

Door-to-door rides to doctors, dialysis, dentists, the salon, the senior center, or church. The caregiver stays through the visit when needed.

Meal Preparation

Grocery list help, cooking simple meals, plating, and cleanup. The companion follows the client's dietary needs and physician restrictions (low-sodium, diabetic, cardiac).

Medication Reminders

Verbal reminders, water and water-glass setup, and schedule cues. A-Team companions do not administer medication, but make sure the client takes what their physician has prescribed on time.

Social Engagement

Walks around the block, garden time, calls to family, outings to the senior center, church, or a friend's home. The point is to preserve the social rhythm of daily life.

Reading & Activities

Books, newspapers, photo albums, puzzles, gentle stretching, and hobby work. Cognitive and physical engagement matched to the client's interests.

Companion Care for Seniors

Companion Care for Seniors: Signs Your Parent Needs a Companion

Families don't usually start companion care after one big event. They start it after they notice a pattern. These are the four most common patterns we see in Greater Philadelphia.

Living Alone After a Loss

A recently widowed parent who used to share every meal and conversation, now sitting through long, quiet afternoons. Companion home care brings a steady presence back into the day without forcing them to move.

Adult Child Working Full-Time

An aging parent who is mostly fine but increasingly forgets meals, leaves the stove on, or skips medications. A companion fills the hours you can't be there, and texts you when something changes.

Early-Stage Cognitive Decline

Mild memory issues, repeated questions, slight disorientation. A familiar companion provides routine, redirection, and gentle stimulation. That daily structure frequently slows the day-to-day decline associated with dementia.

Recovery From Illness or Surgery

Not bed-bound, but not fully independent. A companion caregiver helps with meals, light housekeeping, transportation to follow-up appointments, and the supervised activity that keeps recovery on track.

Comparison · Companion vs Personal Care

Companion Care vs. Personal Care: What's the Difference?

The simplest distinction: companion care supports the household and the person's day; personal care physically supports the person's body. Most A-Team families end up needing some of both.

What's Covered Companion Care Personal Care
Conversation, supervision, social engagement
Light housekeeping, laundry, dishwashing
Meal preparation
Errands, shopping, transportation
Medication reminders (verbal cues)
Bathing, showering, personal hygiene
Dressing assistance
Toileting, incontinence care
Transfers, mobility assistance
Hands-on physical care

A-Team often pairs a morning personal care visit (for the bathing and dressing routine) with daytime companion care, all under one care plan, one RN supervisor, one agency. No coordination across two companies.

Pricing · Pennsylvania

How Much Does Companion Care Cost in Philadelphia?

Companion care cost in Philadelphia depends on three things: how the care is paid for, how many hours per week, and whether the client also needs personal care or skilled nursing. Here's how A-Team handles each.

Pennsylvania Medicaid CHC (Community HealthChoices)

For adults age 21+ enrolled in Community HealthChoices through Keystone First, UPMC, or PA Health & Wellness, companion-level home care is generally covered with no out-of-pocket cost. A-Team is in-network with all three CHC managed-care organizations.

Long-Term Care Insurance

Most long-term care insurance policies reimburse for in-home companion care. A-Team's billing team handles claim submission, supporting documentation, and the assessment your policy may require.

Private Pay

Private-pay companion care in the Philadelphia market typically falls in line with the Genworth Cost of Care Survey range for Pennsylvania home care. A-Team provides a flat hourly rate disclosed in writing before care starts, with no overtime surcharges and no weekend premium for standard daytime shifts.

Veterans Benefits (Aid & Attendance)

The VA Aid & Attendance and Housebound benefits help cover home care for eligible wartime veterans and surviving spouses. A-Team's Veterans Assist Program walks families through the application.

A free phone consultation tells you in 10 minutes which payer route fits your situation. Call (215) 490-9994.

Pennsylvania Medicaid · CHC

Companion Care and Pennsylvania Medicaid (Community HealthChoices)

Community HealthChoices (CHC) is Pennsylvania's Medicaid managed-care program for adults age 21 and older who need long-term services and supports at home. It is the primary payer for companion home care across Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester counties.

A-Team is in-network with all three PA CHC plans

  • Keystone First Community HealthChoices, administered by AmeriHealth Caritas
  • UPMC Community HealthChoices, administered by UPMC Health Plan
  • PA Health & Wellness Community HealthChoices, administered by Centene

How to qualify

Eligibility is established by the Pennsylvania Independent Enrollment Broker (IEB) at 1-877-550-4227, or through your local Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) office. A-Team can walk a family through the intake at no charge. Most CHC applications take 60 to 90 days from first call to first authorized visit.

What CHC covers

Companion care, personal care, and home-health-aide hours are all part of the CHC service package. The exact authorized hour count is set by an assessment that scores the client's Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental ADLs, plus medical complexity. A-Team's RN participates in that assessment and writes the care plan.

Why It Matters · Clinical Risk

Social Isolation Is a Clinical Risk for Seniors, Not Just Sadness

The U.S. Surgeon General's 2023 advisory on loneliness classified social isolation as a public health crisis. The CDC associates chronic social isolation and loneliness with increased risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression and anxiety, dementia, and earlier death.

Roughly one in four people over 60 in high-income countries reports feeling lonely, rising to one in three among adults over 75 (BBC Loneliness Experiment). The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing found loneliness raises dementia risk by about one-third, and nearly one in five lonely older adults develops signs of clinical depression within a year.

Companion care is a direct intervention against that risk. Steady human contact, conversation, shared meals, walks, and structured daily routine are what the public-health literature consistently identifies as protective. A companion caregiver is not a cure. They are the daily presence that prevents isolation from becoming the next clinical diagnosis.

Process · 4 Steps

How A-Team Companion Care Services Work

From the first phone call to the first scheduled visit usually takes 24 to 48 hours for private pay, and 7 to 14 days when we're billing Medicaid CHC.

1. Free Phone Consultation

Call (215) 490-9994 or request online. A care coordinator listens to what's actually happening at home and tells you which payer route fits.

2. In-Home RN Assessment

An A-Team registered nurse visits the home, typically within 48 hours, to assess Activities of Daily Living, the home environment, medications, and family preferences. The RN writes the care plan.

3. Companion Caregiver Match

We match a state-trained Direct Care Worker to the client based on language, schedule, personality, and care needs. If the first match isn't right, we replace at no charge, no debate.

4. Care Begins & Adjusts

The RN re-evaluates the care plan at the regulatory interval and any time circumstances change. Hours scale up or down as the client's needs evolve, and personal care can be added without changing agencies.

A-Team in Action

See How A-Team Companion Care Works in Greater Philadelphia

A 90-second look at why Bucks County and Greater Philadelphia families trust A-Team to keep their loved ones engaged and safe at home.

A-Team Home Care · Greater Philadelphia & Bucks County · 90-second overview

Family caregiver providing companion care for elderly parent at home — A-Team Family Caregiver Program in Greater Philadelphia

Already Providing Companion Care Yourself?

If you're an adult family member already providing the companionship, the errand runs, the meal prep, and the medication reminders for a parent, sibling, or adult child on Pennsylvania Medicaid — you may qualify to be paid for that work as a Direct Care Worker through A-Team's Family Caregiver Program. Spouses and POA holders are excluded by state rule.

See If You Qualify →
Quick Reference · 4 Tabs

Companion Care at Home — Service Snapshot

Everything a family member, hospital discharge planner, or referral partner needs to know — at a glance.

TermDefinition · Reference
Companion CareNon-hands-on support — conversation, light housekeeping, errands, meal prep, and social engagement — for clients who don't need physical assistance. Learn more
Loneliness / Social IsolationChronic loneliness is associated with cognitive decline, depression, and premature mortality — companion care is a direct clinical intervention. Learn more
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)Complex daily tasks — managing finances, grocery shopping, transportation, medication management — that companion care supports. Learn more
Aging in PlaceThe goal of remaining in one's home safely as one ages — companion care is a foundational service supporting this. Learn more
Dementia (early stage)Early-stage dementia clients often benefit from companion care before needing hands-on personal care — familiar faces, routine, and cognitive stimulation. Learn more
Light HousekeepingTidying, laundry, dishwashing, vacuuming — non-clinical home maintenance tasks included in companion care visits.
TaskWhat A-Team Companion Care at Home Includes
Conversation & CompanionshipOne-on-one conversation, life-story sharing, reading aloud, discussing current events, puzzles, and card games
Light HousekeepingVacuuming, dusting, tidying living areas, laundry, linen changes, dishwashing
Meal PreparationGrocery list help, cooking simple meals, plating, cleanup — following dietary preferences and restrictions
Medication RemindersVerbal reminders to take medications on schedule — does not include hands-on administration
Errands & AccompanimentGrocery runs, pharmacy pickups, post office, drive to appointments, escort to social outings
Cognitive StimulationBrain games, reminiscence therapy, reading, crafts, gardening, music — supporting mental engagement
Technology AssistanceVideo calls with family, email, smartphone basics — reducing digital isolation
Wellness ObservationReporting changes in mood, appetite, mobility, or cognition to the supervising RN for care plan adjustment
AudienceWhen Companion Care at Home Is the Right Fit
Senior Living AloneParent or grandparent who lives independently but is increasingly isolated — companion care provides daily human contact
Early-Stage DementiaClient with early cognitive decline who is safe at home but benefits from routine, familiar faces, and gentle stimulation
Adult Child at WorkFamily caregiver who works during the day and needs trusted coverage while they're not home
Post-Hospital RecoveryPatient recovering from surgery or illness who is physically capable but needs someone present during recovery
Active Senior Needing RidesSenior who can no longer drive and needs a companion for errands, appointments, and social outings
Caregiver RespiteFamily member who provides primary care but needs a few hours each week for their own wellbeing
Payer / SourceCompanion Care at Home Coverage Details
PA Medicaid (CHC)Pennsylvania Community HealthChoices via Keystone First, UPMC, and PA Health & Wellness — covers care for eligible adults
Medicare Part AHome health aide visits when patient is also receiving skilled nursing or therapy and is homebound — short-term only
Long-Term Care InsuranceMost LTC policies reimburse home care · A-Team intake handles verification, claim submission, and care logs
VetAssist (VA Aid & Attendance)Wartime veterans & surviving spouses — A-Team is an authorized VetAssist provider
JFCS EnrollmentJewish Family and Children's Service partnership — open to all faiths · sliding fee available
Family Caregiver ProgramAdult family members (not spouses or POA holders) can be paid as Direct Care Workers if loved one is on PA Medicaid
Private PayAvailable · rate provided at free in-home assessment · no long-term contract
Coverage · 5 Counties · 2 Offices

Companion Home Care in Philadelphia & Surrounding Counties

A-Team's two offices, in Philadelphia and Feasterville-Trevose, anchor companion home care across five Pennsylvania counties. Every township in the service area is reachable within a standard caregiver commute.

Philadelphia County

Companion care across all Philadelphia neighborhoods, including Center City, the Northeast, Northwest, South, West, and the river wards. PCA Medicaid CHC enrollees are served from the 2751 N. 5th Street office.

Bucks County

Lower, Central, and Upper Bucks served from the Feasterville-Trevose office at 2 Park Lane. Coverage includes Levittown, Bensalem, Newtown, Doylestown, Yardley, Quakertown, and surrounding townships.

Montgomery County

Companion home care across Montgomery County, including Norristown, King of Prussia, Pottstown, Abington, Cheltenham, Lansdale, and the Main Line.

Delaware County

Companion care across Delaware County, including Media, Upper Darby, Chester, Springfield, Havertown, Drexel Hill, and surrounding boroughs.

Chester County

Companion home care across West Chester, Phoenixville, Coatesville, Kennett Square, and surrounding Chester County communities.

Full Service Area Map

See every township A-Team currently serves and the office that anchors each region.

Why A-Team for Companion Care

Why Greater Philadelphia & Bucks Families Choose A-Team for Companion Care

ACHC-accredited companion care with RN-supervised care plans, same-agency escalation, and the only companion care in the region that covers the Family Caregiver Program.

ACHC Accredited

Hospital-grade home-health accreditation applied to every companion care client. Most companion agencies don't carry ACHC. A-Team does — and it shows in the care plans.

RN-Supervised Care Plans

Every companion care client gets a registered-nurse home assessment and written care plan — not just a list of tasks. RN supervision is standard at A-Team, not an upgrade.

State-Trained Companions

Every A-Team companion completes Pennsylvania state-provided Direct Care Worker (DCW) training before the first shift. No on-the-job learning at a client's expense.

PA Medicaid CHC In-Network

In-network with all three Pennsylvania CHC plans: Keystone First, UPMC, and PA Health & Wellness. Companion care for eligible clients starts at $0 out-of-pocket.

Family Caregiver Program

Unique to A-Team in this region: qualifying family members can be paid to provide companion care for their loved one under CHC Medicaid. Learn more →

Same-Agency Escalation to Personal Care

When companion care needs escalate to hands-on personal care, A-Team adjusts the care plan without a new agency, new intake, or disruption in relationship.

American Multilingual Staff

Local Americans who speak English, Spanish, Russian, or Ukrainian. Clients matched by language preference — because genuine companionship requires shared language.

24–48 Hour Match

Most companion care clients are matched within 24 to 48 hours of the first call — including the in-home RN assessment and written care plan.

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Companion Care FAQ

The most common questions Greater Philadelphia and Bucks County families ask before starting companion care services.

What is companion care?
Companion care is non-medical, non-hands-on in-home care that keeps a senior or adult safely engaged at home. It includes friendly conversation, light housekeeping, errands, meal preparation, medication reminders, transportation, reading, games, and social engagement. These are the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living a healthy adult typically does for themselves. Companion caregiving is for clients who do not need a bathing aide but should not be alone all day.
What's the difference between companion care and personal care?
Companion care is non-hands-on. It covers conversation, housekeeping, errands, and social engagement. Personal care involves hands-on physical assistance such as bathing, dressing, transfers, and toileting, and requires a trained home health aide. Many A-Team clients receive both: personal care in the morning for the bath and dressing routine, then companion care during the day.
What are companion care services?
Companion care services cover the full set of supportive home activities a senior may not safely handle alone: conversation and supervision, light housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, medication reminders, errands, grocery shopping, transportation to appointments, and structured social engagement. A-Team builds the schedule around the client's day, not a fixed checklist.
How much does companion care cost in Philadelphia?
Cost depends on payer. For Pennsylvania Community HealthChoices (CHC) Medicaid enrollees, companion care is generally covered with no out-of-pocket cost. Long-term care insurance reimburses most policies. Private-pay rates fall in line with the Genworth Cost of Care Survey range for Pennsylvania home care. A-Team provides a flat hourly rate in writing before care begins, with no overtime surcharges on standard daytime shifts.
Does Pennsylvania Medicaid cover companion care?
Yes. Pennsylvania Community HealthChoices (CHC) Medicaid covers companion-level in-home care for eligible adults age 21+. A-Team is in-network with all three CHC plans: Keystone First CHC, UPMC CHC, and PA Health & Wellness CHC. We also accept private pay, long-term care insurance, and VA Aid & Attendance.
What is a companion caregiver?
A companion caregiver, also called a Direct Care Worker (DCW), is a state-trained, agency-employed home care worker who provides non-medical, non-hands-on support to a senior or adult client. At A-Team, every companion caregiver is background-checked, state-trained, and works under the supervision of a registered nurse who writes and updates the care plan.
Who is companion care for?
Companion care for seniors and adults is appropriate when a client is physically capable but should not spend the day alone. Most common situations: seniors living alone after the loss of a spouse, adult children working full-time with an aging parent at home, clients with early-stage dementia or cognitive decline, and recovery from minor surgery or illness. Companion care is also widely used by veterans, people with disabilities, and adults with chronic conditions.
Can a family member be paid to provide companion care?
Yes, through A-Team's Family Caregiver Program. Adult family members (other than spouses or anyone holding power of attorney) can be paid as Direct Care Workers through PA Community HealthChoices, the PCA Philadelphia OPTIONS Program, or JFCS enrollment. All paid family caregivers complete state-provided DCW training. Family Caregiver Program →
How many hours per week of companion care does a senior typically need?
It depends on the client and the payer. A common starting point is 20 hours per week (for example, 4 hours per weekday), which covers a daily lunch visit, light housekeeping, and an afternoon outing. CHC Medicaid authorizations frequently fall between 15 and 35 hours per week. Private-pay clients can schedule anything from a few hours per week up to 24-hour companion home care.
Is A-Team Home Care accredited?
Yes. A-Team Home Care is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) and is in-network with all three Pennsylvania Community HealthChoices managed-care organizations. A registered nurse supervises every care plan, and every caregiver is state-trained and background-checked.
How quickly can companion care services start?
For private pay or long-term care insurance, A-Team typically matches a companion caregiver and begins care within 24 to 48 hours of the initial RN assessment. For Pennsylvania Medicaid CHC, the timeline depends on the enrollment broker and the managed-care plan, but most new authorizations are active within 7 to 14 days.
What if the companion caregiver isn't a good fit?
A-Team will replace the caregiver. No charge, no negotiation, no questions about whose fault it is. The match process is built around language, schedule, and personality, and the only way to know whether a match works is the first week of care. If something is off, the care coordinator on file will line up an alternate caregiver for the next scheduled visit.

Two Offices · Five Counties

A-Team provides companion care in Philadelphia and Bucks County. Local intake, local care coordinators, local supervision. Seniors managing nausea or appetite changes at home may benefit from our caregiver guide: How to Help Seniors with Nausea at Home.

A-Team — Philadelphia

2751 N. 5th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19133
(215) 490-9994

A-Team — Bucks County

2 Park Lane, Suite 106
Feasterville-Trevose, PA 19053
(215) 490-9994

Medical disclaimer: The information on this page is general guidance about home care services. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for consultation with your physician, nurse, or licensed care coordinator. A-Team Home Care's clinical decisions are made by RN-supervised care teams under physician orders where applicable. Always consult your healthcare provider for advice specific to you or your loved one's medical situation. ACHC-accredited · PA Department of Health licensed · Medicare-certified.

Contact Us

Call us today at (215) 490-9994 to book a free in-home consultation with a member of our dedicated staff and discover all the ways A-Team Home Care can support you or your loved ones.

Irina Rabovetsky, CEO of A-Team Home Care

Irina Rabovetsky

CEO, A-Team Home Care

Our team is here to listen, answer your questions, and help you build the right care plan for your loved one — whether you need care now or are just exploring options.

Companion Care That Keeps Your Loved One Connected and Safe at Home.

ACHC-accredited. RN-supervised. PA Medicaid CHC, private pay, and long-term care insurance. Most clients matched with a companion within 24 to 48 hours.