This glossary article defines elderly sitting services (also called senior sitting or companion care) as a distinct, non-medical form of in-home care. It explains what sitters do and do not do, how this service differs from home health aides and personal care, signs a parent may need a sitter, 2026 costs, how to find and vet a sitter, and payment options.
Elderly sitting services — also called senior sitting or companion care — are a form of non-medical in-home care focused on companionship, safety supervision, and light daily assistance. The core purpose is to provide an older adult with a responsible, trained presence in the home, reducing isolation and preventing accidents, without crossing into the territory of medical or hands-on personal care.
This category of care fills a specific gap: the space between full independence and the need for certified personal care or home health aide services. A senior who can still bathe, dress, and manage their own medications but has become socially isolated, is eating poorly, or has begun to neglect household tasks may not need a nurse or a certified aide. What they need is a companion — someone to share meals with, drive them to appointments, remind them to take their pills, and notice if something is wrong.
The term "elderly sitting" can be misleading — it suggests a passive, babysitting-like role. In practice, a good senior sitter is an engaged, observant presence who builds a genuine relationship with the older adult while providing the family with peace of mind. The service is typically arranged on an hourly or part-time basis, making it distinct from full-time live-in care.
The scope of a senior sitter's responsibilities is defined by what they are trained and legally permitted to do. The table below outlines the typical tasks within a companion's role and the tasks that fall outside it.
| Within Scope (Companion Care) | Outside Scope (Requires Certified Care) |
|---|---|
| Conversation and social engagement | Wound care or dressing changes |
| Light housekeeping (dishes, laundry, tidying) | Administering medications (injections, tube feeding) |
| Meal preparation and grocery shopping | Diagnostic tests or vital sign monitoring |
| Medication reminders (verbal prompts only) | Bathing, dressing, or toileting assistance |
| Transportation to appointments and errands | Transfer assistance (lifting from bed to chair) |
| Observation and reporting changes to family | Any task requiring a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) |
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