Companion Care in Clifton Forge, VA for Seniors

Local figures

Companion Care in Clifton Forge, VA: the local picture

862

residents 65 or older (25% of Clifton Forge)

53%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (36% in Alleghany County)

4.6%

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

17%

of households have no vehicle (6.0% in Alleghany County)

About 395 residents of Clifton Forge aged 65 or older live alone, 53% of older residents in households (36% in Alleghany County). They are the people companion care is usually for: mostly independent, but on their own for long stretches of the day.

17% of Clifton Forge households have no vehicle (6.0% in Alleghany County). A companion who drives can turn a week at home into appointments, shopping and visits.

Of the 862 Clifton Forge residents aged 65 or older, 130 are 85 or older (15%). Before the first visit with someone in that oldest group, ask the family about hearing, eyesight, walking and any memory changes, so the visit is planned around them.

394 Clifton Forge households headed by someone 65 or older own their home and 145 rent. A companion visiting a house may also help with mail, light chores and keeping an eye on things; in an apartment building, ask whether visitors sign in.

About 180 older Clifton Forge residents (24%) live below the poverty line (20% in Alleghany County). For them, Medicaid home and community-based services or the local Area Agency on Aging may cover some companion or homemaker hours, depending on the state program; private pay is not the only route.

About 4.6% of Clifton Forge residents aged 5 and over speak a language other than English at home. The most common are Spanish (104), Russian, Polish or other Slavic languages (27), French, Haitian or Cajun (9). If the person you care for is more at ease in one of these languages, say so in your posting; many caregivers list the languages they speak.

Clifton Forge compared with Alleghany County and Virginia

Census figure	Clifton Forge	Alleghany County	Virginia
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	53%	36%	27%
Residents 65 or older	25%	26%	17%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	4.6%	1.5%	17%
Households with no vehicle	17%	6.0%	6.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	24%	20%	8.8%
Residents 65+ with a disability	39%	31%	31%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$25,945	$32,401	—

Older residents in towns around Clifton Forge

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Covington, VA	9.2 mi	1,125	45%
Lexington, VA	21 mi	1,273	20%
White Sulphur Springs, WV	26 mi	609	38%
Buena Vista, VA	26 mi	1,240	26%
Daleville, VA	29 mi	1,221	24%
Blue Ridge, VA	31 mi	516	28%

Hospitals near Clifton Forge (for rides to appointments)

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Lewisgale Hospital Alleghany	Low Moor, VA	4.0 mi	4 of 5	(540) 862-6200
Bath Community Hospital	Hot Springs, VA	10 mi	not rated	(540) 839-7000
Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital	Lexington, VA	20 mi	3 of 5	(540) 458-3300

Straight-line miles from the center of Clifton Forge. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

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 Clifton Forge

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 58% of the $2,162 monthly median income of Clifton Forge households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 Consumer directed care in Virginia: how relatives are paid to give care through CCC Plus.

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 Clifton Forge: common questions

How many seniors live alone in Clifton Forge?

About 395 residents aged 65 or older, 53% of older residents in households (Census ACS 2020–2024) (36% in Alleghany County).

How much does companion care cost in Clifton Forge?

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 58% of the $2,162 monthly median income of Clifton Forge households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

What does a companion caregiver do in Clifton Forge?

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 Clifton Forge

More senior care near Clifton Forge

Companion Care in nearby cities

Other care in Clifton Forge

More for Clifton Forge 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 Clifton Forge, VA