South Laurel, Maryland

Companion Care for Seniors in South Laurel, MD

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

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Local figures

Companion Care in South Laurel, MD: the local picture

3,443
residents 65 or older (12% of South Laurel)
21%
of residents 65+ in households live alone (26% in Prince George's County)
34%
of residents 5+ speak a language other than English at home
9.3%
of households have no vehicle (9.2% in Prince George's County)

About 693 residents of South Laurel aged 65 or older live alone, 21% of older residents in households (26% in Prince George's County). They are the people companion care is usually for: mostly independent, but on their own for long stretches of the day.

9.3% of South Laurel households have no vehicle (9.2% in Prince George's County). A companion who drives can turn a week at home into appointments, shopping and visits.

Of the 3,443 South Laurel residents aged 65 or older, 254 are 85 or older (7.4%). 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.

1,302 South Laurel households headed by someone 65 or older own their home and 631 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 238 older South Laurel residents (7.2%) live below the poverty line (9.4% in Prince George's 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 34% of South Laurel residents aged 5 and over speak a language other than English at home. The most common are Spanish (4,686), other languages (2,465), French, Haitian or Cajun (767). 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.

South Laurel compared with Prince George's County and Maryland

Census figureSouth LaurelPrince George's CountyMaryland
Residents 65+ in households who live alone21%26%27%
Residents 65 or older12%15%17%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home34%31%21%
Households with no vehicle9.3%9.2%8.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)7.2%9.4%9.5%
Residents 65+ with a disability29%29%30%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$86,595$82,366—

Older residents in towns around South Laurel

TownDistanceResidents 65+Live alone (65+)
Laurel, MD2.5 mi3,41525%
Konterra, MD3.2 mi75332%
Maryland City, MD3.5 mi1,51023%
Beltsville, MD4.3 mi4,16629%
West Laurel, MD4.5 mi7107.1%
North Laurel, MD4.7 mi2,79124%

Hospitals near South Laurel (for rides to appointments)

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Ctr, IncLanham, MD6.5 mi3 of 5(301) 552-8118
Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical CenterSilver Spring, MD8.1 mi3 of 5(240) 637-4000
Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical CenterColumbia, MD11 mi3 of 5(410) 740-7890

Straight-line miles from the center of South Laurel. 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 South Laurel

At the Maryland median aide wage of $18.29 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,585 a month in wages, which is 22% of the $7,216 monthly median income of South Laurel households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maryland's minimum wage is $15.00 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 South Laurel: common questions

How many seniors live alone in South Laurel?

About 693 residents aged 65 or older, 21% of older residents in households (Census ACS 2020–2024) (26% in Prince George's County).

How much does companion care cost in South Laurel?

At the Maryland median aide wage of $18.29 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,585 a month in wages, which is 22% of the $7,216 monthly median income of South Laurel households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maryland's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

What does a companion caregiver do in South Laurel?

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.

Find companion care in South Laurel

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