Companion Care for Seniors in Empire, MN

About 46 residents of Empire aged 65 or older live alone, 11% of older residents in households (28% in Dakota County). They are the people companion care is usually for: mostly independent, but on their own for long stretches of the day.

0.0% of Empire households have no vehicle (4.9% in Dakota County). A companion who drives can turn a week at home into appointments, shopping and visits.

Of the 440 Empire residents aged 65 or older, 43 are 85 or older (9.8%). 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.

222 Empire households headed by someone 65 or older own their home and 0 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 1 older Empire residents (0.2%) live below the poverty line (6.6% in Dakota 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.

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 18% of the $8,912 monthly median income of Empire households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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.