DeRidder, Louisiana

Companion Care for Seniors in DeRidder, LA

Conversation, outings, meals together and a steady, friendly presence for an older adult who lives alone or spends long days by themselves. Post what you need in DeRidder for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

A younger man supporting an older man's arm as they walk through a bright living room
Local figures

Companion Care in DeRidder, LA: the local picture

1,711
residents 65 or older (18% of DeRidder)
32%
of residents 65+ in households live alone (30% in Beauregard Parish)
4.3%
of residents 5+ speak a language other than English at home
8.3%
of households have no vehicle (5.0% in Beauregard Parish)

About 512 residents of DeRidder aged 65 or older live alone, 32% of older residents in households (30% in Beauregard Parish). They are the people companion care is usually for: mostly independent, but on their own for long stretches of the day.

8.3% of DeRidder households have no vehicle (5.0% in Beauregard Parish). A companion who drives can turn a week at home into appointments, shopping and visits.

Of the 1,711 DeRidder residents aged 65 or older, 183 are 85 or older (11%). 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.

985 DeRidder households headed by someone 65 or older own their home and 217 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 191 older DeRidder residents (12%) live below the poverty line (11% in Beauregard Parish). 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 4.3% of DeRidder residents aged 5 and over speak a language other than English at home. The most common are Spanish (180), German or West Germanic languages (48), other Indo-European languages (46). 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.

DeRidder compared with Beauregard Parish and Louisiana

Census figureDeRidderBeauregard ParishLouisiana
Residents 65+ in households who live alone32%30%31%
Residents 65 or older18%16%17%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home4.3%3.4%8.5%
Households with no vehicle8.3%5.0%8.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)12%11%15%
Residents 65+ with a disability58%50%38%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$56,852$47,849—

Older residents in towns around DeRidder

TownDistanceResidents 65+Live alone (65+)
Fort Polk South, LA15 mi240.0%
Leesville, LA20 mi84442%
Newton, TX27 mi33040%
DeQuincy, LA29 mi80140%
Moss Bluff, LA37 mi2,51024%
Oakdale, LA38 mi1,10436%

Hospitals near DeRidder (for rides to appointments)

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
Beauregard Memorial HospitalDeridder, LA1.9 mi3 of 5(337) 462-7100
Bayne-Jones Ach (Ft Johnson)Fort Johnson, LA15 minot rated(337) 531-3118
Byrd Regional HospitalLeesville, LA21 mi2 of 5(337) 239-9041

Straight-line miles from the center of DeRidder. 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 DeRidder

At the Louisiana median aide wage of $10.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $939 a month in wages, which is 20% of the $4,738 monthly median income of DeRidder households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Louisiana has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 DeRidder: common questions

How many seniors live alone in DeRidder?

About 512 residents aged 65 or older, 32% of older residents in households (Census ACS 2020–2024) (30% in Beauregard Parish).

How much does companion care cost in DeRidder?

At the Louisiana median aide wage of $10.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $939 a month in wages, which is 20% of the $4,738 monthly median income of DeRidder households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Louisiana has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

What does a companion caregiver do in DeRidder?

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.

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.

Find companion care in DeRidder

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