Companion Care for Seniors in Oak Ridge, NC
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 Oak Ridge for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Companion Care in Oak Ridge, NC: the local picture
About 213 residents of Oak Ridge aged 65 or older live alone, 22% of older residents in households (31% in Guilford County). They are the people companion care is usually for: mostly independent, but on their own for long stretches of the day.
2.2% of Oak Ridge households have no vehicle (6.7% in Guilford County). A companion who drives can turn a week at home into appointments, shopping and visits.
Of the 971 Oak Ridge residents aged 65 or older, 169 are 85 or older (17%). 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.
476 Oak Ridge households headed by someone 65 or older own their home and 90 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 139 older Oak Ridge residents (14%) live below the poverty line (11% in Guilford 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 15% of Oak Ridge residents aged 5 and over speak a language other than English at home. The most common are other Asian and Pacific Island languages (285), Spanish (255), Chinese (253). 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.
Oak Ridge compared with Guilford County and North Carolina
| Census figure | Oak Ridge | Guilford County | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 22% | 31% | 28% |
| Residents 65 or older | 13% | 16% | 17% |
| Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home | 15% | 17% | 13% |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.2% | 6.7% | 5.3% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 14% | 11% | 11% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 25% | 32% | 33% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $59,250 | $52,917 | — |
Older residents in towns around Oak Ridge
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Live alone (65+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stokesdale, NC | 3.8 mi | 1,061 | 8.0% |
| Summerfield, NC | 5.5 mi | 1,688 | 10% |
| Kernersville, NC | 6.9 mi | 4,907 | 38% |
| Walkertown, NC | 10 mi | 1,077 | 18% |
| Greensboro, NC | 11 mi | 43,449 | 38% |
| Jamestown, NC | 13 mi | 984 | 18% |
Hospitals near Oak Ridge (for rides to appointments)
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Point Regional Health System | High Point, NC | 6.7 mi | 2 of 5 | (336) 878-6000 |
| Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, The | Greensboro, NC | 14 mi | 3 of 5 | (336) 832-7000 |
| North Carolina Baptist Hospital | Winston-Salem, NC | 16 mi | 4 of 5 | (336) 716-2011 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Oak Ridge. 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 Oak Ridge
At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 26% of the $4,938 monthly median income of Oak Ridge households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina'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.
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 Oak Ridge: common questions
How many seniors live alone in Oak Ridge?
About 213 residents aged 65 or older, 22% of older residents in households (Census ACS 2020–2024) (31% in Guilford County).
How much does companion care cost in Oak Ridge?
At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 26% of the $4,938 monthly median income of Oak Ridge households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina'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 Oak Ridge?
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 Oak Ridge
Companion Care in nearby cities
- Companion Care in Stokesdale, NC
- Companion Care in Summerfield, NC
- Companion Care in Kernersville, NC
- Companion Care in Walkertown, NC
- Companion Care in Greensboro, NC
- Companion Care in Jamestown, NC
- Companion Care in High Point, NC
- Companion Care in Wallburg, NC
- Companion Care in Winston-Salem, NC
- Companion Care in Rural Hall, NC
- Companion Care in Archdale, NC
- Companion Care in Midway, NC
- Companion Care in Pleasant Garden, NC
- Companion Care in Forest Oaks, NC
- Companion Care in Wentworth, NC
- Companion Care in Trinity, NC
Other care in Oak Ridge
- Dementia Care in Oak Ridge
- Respite Care in Oak Ridge
- Live-In Caregivers in Oak Ridge
- Post-Surgery Care in Oak Ridge
- Senior Transportation in Oak Ridge
- Home Health Aides in Oak Ridge
- Nursing Assistants in Oak Ridge
- Personal Care in Oak Ridge
- Overnight Caregivers in Oak Ridge
- 24-Hour Home Care in Oak Ridge
- Mobility Assistance in Oak Ridge
- Parkinson’s Care in Oak Ridge
- Stroke Recovery Support in Oak Ridge
- Disability Care for Adults in Oak Ridge
- Hospice Support in Oak Ridge
- Senior Meal Preparation in Oak Ridge
- Senior Housekeeping in Oak Ridge
- Medication Reminders in Oak Ridge
- Veterans’ Home Care in Oak Ridge
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 Oak Ridge
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