Keep life moving with adult care

Adult care refers to support services provided to individuals who need help with daily activities due to aging, illness, injury, or disability. These services are designed to maintain independence and improve quality of life. They may include:
• Personal care: Assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming, and mobility
• Companionship: Social interaction, emotional support, and conversation to prevent loneliness
• Post-surgery care: Support with movement, errands, transportation and more to aid in recovery after a procedure
• Meal preparation: Nutritious meals tailored to dietary needs and preferences
• Transportation: Help getting to appointments, shopping, or social events
• Medication reminders: Support in taking medications on time and as prescribed
• Specialized care: Personalized assistance for individuals with conditions such as memory impairment or mobility challenges

Finding the right caregiver depends on your loved one's specific needs and preferences. Here's how to get started:
• Assess the needs: Determine whether personal care, companionship, or specialized support is required
• Browse caregiver profiles: On Care.com, you can search for caregivers by experience, certifications, and availability
• Check references and reviews: Read reviews from other families and assess the caregiver's reliability
• Schedule interviews: Speak with potential caregivers to ensure they're a good match for your situation

The right caregiver should have relevant experience and skills for your specific care needs. Key qualifications to look for include:
• Experience: Especially with adults or individuals with disabilities
• CPR and first aid training: Important for emergency situations
• Specialized training: For conditions like memory impairment or limited mobility
• Strong references: From past clients or employers
• Supplemental background checks: Learn more about supplemental background checks at our Safety Center

Companion care and personal care serve different levels of need:
• Companion care: Focuses on emotional support, social interaction, and help with light housekeeping, errands, and transportation. Best for individuals who are mostly independent but benefit from company or basic assistance.
• Personal care: Involves hands-on help with activities like bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility. Ideal for those who need daily physical support due to health needs or disability support.

Yes. Many caregivers can provide medication reminders to help individuals stay on schedule and follow their prescribed plans. However, unless a caregiver is licensed, they typically cannot administer medications. Always confirm what responsibilities a caregiver can take on before hiring.

Your loved one may need additional support if they are:
• Struggling with mobility or experiencing frequent falls
• Showing signs of memory loss or confusion
• Losing weight or skipping meals due to difficulty preparing food
• Unable to manage hygiene without assistance
• Becoming socially withdrawn or isolated
If these signs are present, personal care or specialized care may be a better fit than companion care alone.

Yes. Many adult caregivers on Care.com offer overnight care. This is helpful if your loved one needs support during the night—whether it's for toileting, repositioning, or safety monitoring. Some caregivers are also available for extended overnight shifts or 24-hour care.