FBI-vetted, trained, insured. Matched to your loved one's specific needs. Safe, reliable, local.
Call for a Free ConsultationBeyond personal care, a 24-hour caregiver provides constant presence, attention to detail, and peace of mind for both your loved one and your family.
Bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and medication administration. All handled with dignity and professionalism.
Assistance with walking, transfers, and positioning. A trained eye catches fall hazards before they become emergencies.
Nutritious meals tailored to dietary restrictions. Feeding assistance when needed. Hydration monitoring throughout the day.
Conversation, activities, emotional support. Loneliness is a health crisis. A good caregiver prevents it.
Monitoring vital signs, reporting changes to family and doctors. Early detection prevents hospitalizations.
Keeping the environment clean and safe. Light housekeeping, laundry, maintaining routines that your loved one recognizes.
Continuity. Your loved one wakes to the same caregiver every morning. No constant reintroduction. No confusion about who's in the home. This consistency is especially crucial for dementia patients and reduces anxiety for everyone.
Thinking about hiring a caregiver on Craigslist or through a friend? Here's what you need to know.
| Factor | Agency (Golden Age Companions) | Private Hire (Craigslist, Under-the-Table) |
|---|---|---|
| Background Check | FBI clearance, DMV check, verified references | Whatever you verify yourself; often nothing |
| Training | CPR/First Aid, dementia protocols, safety procedures | Varies; may lack critical skills |
| Insurance | Agency covers liability; your home is protected | You're liable if anything happens |
| Backup Coverage | If primary is sick, we provide a substitute immediately | You scramble to find coverage, potential care gaps |
| Employment Issues | We handle taxes, workers comp, payroll | You're an employer; legal obligations fall on you |
| 24/7 Support Line | Call us with any issue; we solve problems | Direct issue resolution; no buffer |
| Quality Control | Regular monitoring, feedback, performance reviews | No oversight; on you to manage quality |
| Cost | $35-$45/hour (all-inclusive) | Cheaper upfront: $25-$35/hour (often cash) |
A private hire saves $200-300/week upfront, but one incident changes everything. Unvetted caregiver steals jewelry. No insurance when your loved one falls. Caregiver abandons you midweek. Medication error lands your loved one in the hospital. Suddenly you're facing $5K-$50K in damages or medical bills, plus the emotional trauma. An agency removes this risk completely. Your loved one's safety is worth the professional overhead.
"We hired someone off Craigslist to save money. She seemed great at first. Three weeks in, we discovered items missing from the house. We had to fire her immediately and scramble for replacement care. The 'savings' evaporated fast. We're with Golden Age Companions now. No more risks." — Janet M., Newport Beach
"Mom fell at night with a private caregiver. The caregiver wasn't trained in fall response. Instead of calling 911 immediately, she tried to help Mom up, making the injury worse. Mom spent a week in the hospital. A trained, certified professional would have known exactly what to do." — Robert T., Irvine
Don't just interview them once. Ask for at least three references. Actually call and ask about strengths and weaknesses. Ask what happened when problems arose. A good agency like Golden Age Companions does this for you — we've already verified everything before you even meet the caregiver.
When you hire through Golden Age Companions, you're not just hiring a caregiver. You're hiring our 15+ years of experience in vetting, training, and managing professional caregivers. We stand behind every person on our team.
We place professional 24-hour caregivers throughout Orange County, including:
Don't settle for uncertainty or unvetted caregivers. Call Golden Age Companions today and speak with a care coordinator about matching your loved one with a professional who will treat them with genuine care and respect.
(949) 630-0487 — Call Now