Companion Care for Seniors in Jena, 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 Jena for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Companion Care in Jena, LA: the local picture
About 127 residents of Jena aged 65 or older live alone, 22% of older residents in households (24% in LaSalle Parish). They are the people companion care is usually for: mostly independent, but on their own for long stretches of the day.
2.1% of Jena households have no vehicle (6.7% in LaSalle Parish). A companion who drives can turn a week at home into appointments, shopping and visits.
Of the 623 Jena residents aged 65 or older, 11 are 85 or older (1.8%). 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.
376 Jena households headed by someone 65 or older own their home and 6 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 47 older Jena residents (8.1%) live below the poverty line (12% in LaSalle 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 6.0% of Jena residents aged 5 and over speak a language other than English at home. The most common are Spanish (125), other Asian and Pacific Island languages (64), Chinese (20). 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.
Jena compared with LaSalle Parish and Louisiana
| Census figure | Jena | LaSalle Parish | Louisiana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 22% | 24% | 31% |
| Residents 65 or older | 15% | 17% | 17% |
| Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home | 6.0% | 6.0% | 8.5% |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.1% | 6.7% | 8.4% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 8.1% | 12% | 15% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 43% | 48% | 38% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $53,263 | $45,727 | — |
Older residents in towns around Jena
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Live alone (65+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball, LA | 25 mi | 389 | 24% |
| Pineville, LA | 29 mi | 2,456 | 45% |
| Ferriday, LA | 34 mi | 424 | 23% |
| Alexandria, LA | 34 mi | 7,531 | 35% |
| Winnfield, LA | 34 mi | 440 | 45% |
| Marksville, LA | 39 mi | 766 | 45% |
Hospitals near Jena (for rides to appointments)
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardtner Medical Center | Olla, LA | 14 mi | not rated | (318) 495-3131 |
| Citizens Medical Center | Columbia, LA | 29 mi | 3 of 5 | (318) 649-6106 |
| Winn Parish Medical Center | Winnfield, LA | 34 mi | not rated | (318) 648-3000 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Jena. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What companion care costs in Jena
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 21% of the $4,439 monthly median income of Jena 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.
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.
Companion Care in Jena: common questions
How many seniors live alone in Jena?
About 127 residents aged 65 or older, 22% of older residents in households (Census ACS 2020–2024) (24% in LaSalle Parish).
How much does companion care cost in Jena?
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 21% of the $4,439 monthly median income of Jena 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 Jena?
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 senior care near Jena
Companion Care in nearby cities
- Companion Care in Ball, LA
- Companion Care in Pineville, LA
- Companion Care in Ferriday, LA
- Companion Care in Alexandria, LA
- Companion Care in Winnfield, LA
- Companion Care in Marksville, LA
- Companion Care in Winnsboro, LA
- Companion Care in Vidalia, LA
- Companion Care in Natchez, MS
- Companion Care in Jonesboro, LA
- Companion Care in Bunkie, LA
- Companion Care in Richwood, LA
- Companion Care in Bawcomville, LA
- Companion Care in Brownsville, LA
- Companion Care in West Monroe, LA
- Companion Care in Natchitoches, LA
Other care in Jena
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 Jena
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