Companion Care for Seniors in Opelousas, 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 Opelousas for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Companion Care in Opelousas, LA: the local picture
About 1,018 residents of Opelousas aged 65 or older live alone, 42% of older residents in households (34% in St. Landry Parish). They are the people companion care is usually for: mostly independent, but on their own for long stretches of the day.
22% of Opelousas households have no vehicle (9.9% in St. Landry Parish). A companion who drives can turn a week at home into appointments, shopping and visits.
Of the 2,586 Opelousas residents aged 65 or older, 432 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.
1,361 Opelousas households headed by someone 65 or older own their home and 396 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 854 older Opelousas residents (34%) live below the poverty line (25% in St. Landry 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 4.1% of Opelousas residents aged 5 and over speak a language other than English at home. The most common are French, Haitian or Cajun (318), Spanish (221), Russian, Polish or other Slavic languages (29). 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.
Opelousas compared with St. Landry Parish and Louisiana
| Census figure | Opelousas | St. Landry Parish | Louisiana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 42% | 34% | 31% |
| Residents 65 or older | 17% | 17% | 17% |
| Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home | 4.1% | 8.1% | 8.5% |
| Households with no vehicle | 22% | 9.9% | 8.4% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 34% | 25% | 15% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 35% | 34% | 38% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $26,216 | $33,582 | — |
Older residents in towns around Opelousas
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Live alone (65+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset, LA | 8.3 mi | 285 | 46% |
| Church Point, LA | 12 mi | 816 | 31% |
| Carencro, LA | 15 mi | 1,694 | 28% |
| Ville Platte, LA | 16 mi | 1,120 | 53% |
| Scott, LA | 20 mi | 1,671 | 40% |
| Breaux Bridge, LA | 20 mi | 1,376 | 32% |
Hospitals near Opelousas (for rides to appointments)
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opelousas General Health System | Opelousas, LA | 0.9 mi | 2 of 5 | (337) 948-3011 |
| Acadia St Landry | Church Point, LA | 12 mi | not rated | (337) 684-5435 |
| Mercy Regional Medical Center | Ville Platte, LA | 16 mi | 3 of 5 | (337) 363-5684 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Opelousas. 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 Opelousas
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 43% of the $2,185 monthly median income of Opelousas 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 Opelousas: common questions
How many seniors live alone in Opelousas?
About 1,018 residents aged 65 or older, 42% of older residents in households (Census ACS 2020–2024) (34% in St. Landry Parish).
How much does companion care cost in Opelousas?
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 43% of the $2,185 monthly median income of Opelousas 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 Opelousas?
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 Opelousas
Companion Care in nearby cities
- Companion Care in Sunset, LA
- Companion Care in Church Point, LA
- Companion Care in Carencro, LA
- Companion Care in Ville Platte, LA
- Companion Care in Scott, LA
- Companion Care in Breaux Bridge, LA
- Companion Care in Eunice, LA
- Companion Care in Mamou, LA
- Companion Care in Lafayette, LA
- Companion Care in Rayne, LA
- Companion Care in Crowley, LA
- Companion Care in Broussard, LA
- Companion Care in Milton, LA
- Companion Care in Maurice, LA
- Companion Care in Youngsville, LA
- Companion Care in Bunkie, LA
Other care in Opelousas
- Dementia Care in Opelousas
- Respite Care in Opelousas
- Live-In Caregivers in Opelousas
- Post-Surgery Care in Opelousas
- Senior Transportation in Opelousas
- Home Health Aides in Opelousas
- Nursing Assistants in Opelousas
- Personal Care in Opelousas
- Overnight Caregivers in Opelousas
- 24-Hour Home Care in Opelousas
- Mobility Assistance in Opelousas
- Parkinson’s Care in Opelousas
- Stroke Recovery Support in Opelousas
- Disability Care for Adults in Opelousas
- Hospice Support in Opelousas
- Senior Meal Preparation in Opelousas
- Senior Housekeeping in Opelousas
- Medication Reminders in Opelousas
- Veterans’ Home Care in Opelousas
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 Opelousas
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