Companionship vs Home Care: What Is the Difference?

If you are arranging help for a parent, you will quickly meet two terms that sound alike: companionship and home care. They are different services, regulated differently, and choosing the right one saves money and stress.

Home care includes personal care

In England, help with intimate everyday tasks such as washing, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, eating or taking medication is called personal care. Any organisation providing it must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which inspects and rates them. Home care agencies, sometimes called domiciliary care agencies, provide this.

Companionship covers everything else that helps someone live well

Companionship is about company, routine and practical help: conversation, hobbies, walks, outings, shopping, cooking, light housekeeping, appointment escorting and keeping the household running. Because it does not include personal care, it does not need CQC registration. It is often more flexible, and many families find it is exactly what an independent parent needs.

A simple way to decide

• Your parent manages washing, dressing and medication themselves but is lonely, no longer drives or finds the house too much: companionship is likely the right fit. See companionship at home.
• They need hands-on help with washing, dressing or medication: you need a CQC-registered home care provider. You can search registered services on the CQC website.
• Both: many families combine a registered agency for short personal care visits with a companion for longer social visits.

Questions to ask any provider

• Will it be the same person each visit?
• How are companions or carers vetted, and do they hold an enhanced DBS check?
• What is the minimum visit length?
• Who do I call if something changes?

The NHS social care and support guide explains the options in more detail, including needs assessments from your local council.