Companion Care in Boone, IA: Senior Companions at Home

Local figures

Companion Care in Boone, IA: the local picture

2,272

residents 65 or older (18% of Boone)

40%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (32% in Boone County)

1.9%

of residents 5+ speak a language other than English at home

6.9%

of households have no vehicle (5.5% in Boone County)

About 830 residents of Boone aged 65 or older live alone, 40% of older residents in households (32% in Boone County). They are the people companion care is usually for: mostly independent, but on their own for long stretches of the day.

6.9% of Boone households have no vehicle (5.5% in Boone County). A companion who drives can turn a week at home into appointments, shopping and visits.

Boone compared with Boone County and Iowa

Census figure	Boone	Boone County	Iowa
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	40%	32%	31%
Residents 65 or older	18%	20%	18%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	1.9%	2.6%	9.1%
Households with no vehicle	6.9%	5.5%	5.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.1%	4.2%	8.4%
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	32%	30%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$43,667	$53,801	—

Older residents in towns around Boone

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Madrid, IA	12 mi	566	30%
Ames, IA	13 mi	7,494	31%
Story City, IA	17 mi	722	46%
Huxley, IA	18 mi	525	23%
Perry, IA	18 mi	1,200	35%
Polk City, IA	20 mi	874	14%

What it covers

What a companion caregiver can help with

Conversation, cards, puzzles and shared hobbies
Walks and outings to the park, library or senior center
Company at meals, and help preparing them
Rides or escort to appointments, church and visits

Cost

What companion care costs in Boone

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $3,639 monthly median income of Boone households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a companion caregiver

Isolation is a health risk, not only a mood. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that nearly one in four Americans aged 65 and older living in the community is socially isolated, and linked isolation to higher risks of dementia, heart disease and early death (2020 report).

Questions worth asking: What do you enjoy doing with the people you care for? Are you comfortable driving, and is your car insured for passengers? How do you handle a client who does not want company at first? More in our companion care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Companion Care in Boone: common questions

How many seniors live alone in Boone?

About 830 residents aged 65 or older, 40% of older residents in households (Census ACS 2020–2024) (32% in Boone County).

How much does companion care cost in Boone?

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $3,639 monthly median income of Boone households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

What does a companion caregiver do in Boone?

A companion keeps an older adult company and helps around the visit: conversation, activities, walks, meals, errands, rides and reminders. It suits someone who is mostly independent but lonely, or a family that wants someone to check in on weekdays.

More near Boone

More senior care near Boone

Companion Care in nearby cities

Other care in Boone

More for Boone families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Companion Care for Seniors in Boone, IA