Private Duty and Companion Care
“Private Duty Care” and “Companion Care” are services intended to help your loved one to safely get through day-to-day activities such as personal care, preparing meals, housecleaning, and offering companionship. These services can also offer a break for caregivers, who can use the time to be on their own.
Private Duty care services can be medical or non-medical. The term is typically used to signify services that are not covered by Medicare or Medicare replacement insurance. However, some Long-term Care Insurance DOES pay for private duty care. Other kinds of services include "Companion Care," which is a non-medical, private-pay service, and "Home health," which is a term reserved for those services covered by Medicare or Medicare replacement insurance, and can include medical or non-medical services.
Consult with your insurance provider, the organizations you are interested in, and your NAN Navigator for the specifics of what services are offered, and which are covered by insurance.
Here is a list of recommended local private duty and companion care companies that might be useful in your caregiving journey. Please keep in mind that prices and availability fluctuate, so you should call to confirm the details for each company. Also keep in mind that NAN has no affiliation with any of these companies. Companies are listed in alphabetical order and have been updated as of August 2022.
This content was made possible through the contributions of Pat DeAngelis, RN.
CNA = Certified Nursing Assistant (licensed)
HHA = Home Health Aid (certificate)
Alternative Home Care of Florida
Contact name and number: No specific contact name — 954-622-0588
Services: Nursing, CNA’s and HHA’s (all personnel are employees)
Minimum hours: None
Cost: $25 per hour for 4 hours or more; $35 per hour for fewer than 4 hours
Covered territory: Tamarac and surrounding area, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Pembroke Pines
Training for dementia caregivers: Agency training required for dementia and cognitive disorders. HHA’s are directly supervised by nursing staff.
Current availability: Good
Website: https://www.alternativehomehealth.com
Better Healthcare LLC, Sunrise, FL office
Contact name and number: No specific contact name — 954-473-4008
Services: Nurse Registry: Has RN, LPN, CNA and HHA services
Minimum hours: 24 hours per week
Cost: $22 per hour base price
Covered territory: All Broward County
Training for dementia caregivers: No training offered. Background and license check prior to hire as contract employee.
Current availability: Adequate
Website: http://www.betterhealthcarellc.com
Classic Home Care
Contact name and number: Jennifer — 954-929-4888
Services: Custodial Care CNA’s and HHA’s; includes light housework and meal preparation
Minimum hours: 4 hrs. a day, three days a week depending on needs
Cost: $24-$30 per hour depending on needs
Covered territory: Broward County, excluding Deerfield Beach
Training for dementia caregivers: No special training available. FL license or HHA Certificate required
Current availability: Good
Website: http://www.classichomecare.care/
Home Instead
Contact name and number: Dianah Pickett, Owner — 954-505-7957 or Hannah Cooke, General manager — 954-283-0311
Services: CNA and HHA caregivers
Minimum hours: 4-hour shifts, 12 hours per week
Cost: $23-$26 per hour companion; $25-$28 includes personal care
Covered territory: All Broward County
Training for dementia caregivers: Required and provided by the agency. All have Life Training, Alzheimer’s Training and Emergency Care Training including current CPR.
Current availability: Adequate
Website: https://www.homeinstead.com
Preferred Care at Home
Contact name and number: Isaac Hoza, Owner — 954-678-4770
Services: CNA and HHA custodial caregivers; includes light housework, meal preparation, transportation
Minimum hours: 4 hours per day, 3 days per week
Cost: $28-$30 per hour
Covered territory: Mostly Fort Lauderdale area. Five offices in Broward County, so this office should be able to refer to appropriate office for service.
Training for dementia caregivers: Agency provides dementia education; all caregivers are employees of agency. Agency monitors required State Dementia Care Annual certificate.
Current availability: Service usually within a week.
Website: https://preferhome.com/florida/fort-lauderdale
Right At Home
Contact name and number: Miriam Jurabe — 954-530-3840
Services: CNA and HHA custodial caregivers; includes light housework and meal preparation; respite care for a day or a weekend; some live-in is also available.
Minimum hours: 4 hours
Cost: $26 per hour, personal care only, with a per visit four-hour minimum time limit. Homemaker companion is $24-$26 per hour depending on client needs, also with a four-hour minimum time limit. Bath visit or “well” check-in visit available for a $60 flat rate.
Covered territory: Tamarac, Plantation, Pembroke Pines, Lauderhill
Training for dementia caregivers: Some classes offered plus the yearly requirement for licensed employees. Home Health Aides with a certificate are required to have 6 months experience for hire.
Current availability: Fair to Good
Website: https://www.rightathome.net/
Seniors Helping Seniors
Contact name and number: Diana Cabassi, Owner — 954-202-5200
Services: Non-medical (no hands-on care)
Minimum hours: 3 hours
Cost: $20-$22 per hour (no increase for weekends)
Covered territory: Tamarac, Plantation, Hallandale Beach, West Park, Pembroke Pines, Lauderhill (Pompano Beach office may also cover)
Training for dementia caregivers: All caregivers are independent caregivers, no agency training. Caregivers are “companions only”; not all are licensed.
Current availability: Adequate
Website: https://seniorshelpingseniors.com/
