Companion Care in Jersey Shore, PA for Seniors

Local figures

Companion Care in Jersey Shore, PA: the local picture

567

residents 65 or older (14% of Jersey Shore)

41%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (31% in Lycoming County)

0.0%

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

11%

of households have no vehicle (9.7% in Lycoming County)

About 191 residents of Jersey Shore aged 65 or older live alone, 41% of older residents in households (31% in Lycoming County). They are the people companion care is usually for: mostly independent, but on their own for long stretches of the day.

11% of Jersey Shore households have no vehicle (9.7% in Lycoming County). A companion who drives can turn a week at home into appointments, shopping and visits.

Of the 567 Jersey Shore residents aged 65 or older, 138 are 85 or older (24%). 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.

122 Jersey Shore households headed by someone 65 or older own their home and 207 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 54 older Jersey Shore residents (12%) live below the poverty line (9.0% in Lycoming 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.

Jersey Shore compared with Lycoming County and Pennsylvania

Census figure	Jersey Shore	Lycoming County	Pennsylvania
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	41%	31%	30%
Residents 65 or older	14%	21%	19%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	0.0%	3.2%	12%
Households with no vehicle	11%	9.7%	10%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	9.0%	9.9%
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	35%	32%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$34,360	$45,160	—

Older residents in towns around Jersey Shore

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Lock Haven, PA	11 mi	1,272	46%
Garden View, PA	12 mi	667	43%
Williamsport, PA	12 mi	3,699	41%
South Williamsport, PA	14 mi	1,221	31%
Kenmar, PA	17 mi	1,465	38%
Montoursville, PA	18 mi	1,164	62%

Hospitals near Jersey Shore (for rides to appointments)

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital	Jersey Shore, PA	3.2 mi	3 of 5	(570) 398-3101
Upmc Williamsport	Williamsport, PA	14 mi	3 of 5	(570) 321-1000
Wellspan Evangelical Community Hospital	Lewisburg, PA	25 mi	4 of 5	(570) 522-2000

Straight-line miles from the center of Jersey Shore. 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 Jersey Shore

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $2,863 monthly median income of Jersey Shore households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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 Jersey Shore: common questions

How many seniors live alone in Jersey Shore?

About 191 residents aged 65 or older, 41% of older residents in households (Census ACS 2020–2024) (31% in Lycoming County).

How much does companion care cost in Jersey Shore?

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $2,863 monthly median income of Jersey Shore households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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 Jersey Shore?

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 Jersey Shore

More senior care near Jersey Shore

Companion Care in nearby cities

Other care in Jersey Shore

More for Jersey Shore 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 Jersey Shore, PA