Smithfield, Virginia

Companion Care for Seniors in Smithfield, VA

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 Smithfield for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

A smiling caregiver with her arm around an older woman in a bright room at home
Local figures

Companion Care in Smithfield, VA: the local picture

1,645
residents 65 or older (19% of Smithfield)
27%
of residents 65+ in households live alone (23% in Isle of Wight County)
3.0%
of residents 5+ speak a language other than English at home
6.0%
of households have no vehicle (4.2% in Isle of Wight County)

About 410 residents of Smithfield aged 65 or older live alone, 27% of older residents in households (23% in Isle of Wight County). They are the people companion care is usually for: mostly independent, but on their own for long stretches of the day.

6.0% of Smithfield households have no vehicle (4.2% in Isle of Wight County). A companion who drives can turn a week at home into appointments, shopping and visits.

Of the 1,645 Smithfield residents aged 65 or older, 188 are 85 or older (11%). 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.

845 Smithfield households headed by someone 65 or older own their home and 88 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 106 older Smithfield residents (6.9%) live below the poverty line (8.0% in Isle of Wight 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 3.0% of Smithfield residents aged 5 and over speak a language other than English at home. The most common are Spanish (116), French, Haitian or Cajun (51), Russian, Polish or other Slavic languages (37). 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.

Smithfield compared with Isle of Wight County and Virginia

Census figureSmithfieldIsle of Wight CountyVirginia
Residents 65+ in households who live alone27%23%27%
Residents 65 or older19%20%17%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home3.0%4.2%17%
Households with no vehicle6.0%4.2%6.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)6.9%8.0%8.8%
Residents 65+ with a disability30%30%31%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$65,688$66,678—

Older residents in towns around Smithfield

TownDistanceResidents 65+Live alone (65+)
Carrollton, VA5.6 mi98322%
Newport News, VA8.8 mi25,91637%
Windsor, VA13 mi55528%
Bethel Manor, VA14 mi50.0%
Portsmouth, VA16 mi15,03735%
Hampton, VA18 mi22,96231%

Hospitals near Smithfield (for rides to appointments)

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
Riverside Regional Medical CenterNewport News, VA10 mi3 of 5(757) 594-2000
Mary Immaculate HospitalNewport News, VA11 mi4 of 5(757) 886-6000
Bon Secours Harbour View Medical CenterSuffolk, VA12 minot rated(757) 673-5917

Straight-line miles from the center of Smithfield. 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 Smithfield

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 23% of the $5,474 monthly median income of Smithfield households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 Consumer directed care in Virginia: how relatives are paid to give care through CCC Plus.

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 Smithfield: common questions

How many seniors live alone in Smithfield?

About 410 residents aged 65 or older, 27% of older residents in households (Census ACS 2020–2024) (23% in Isle of Wight County).

How much does companion care cost in Smithfield?

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 23% of the $5,474 monthly median income of Smithfield households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

What does a companion caregiver do in Smithfield?

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.

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.

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