Companion Care in Winston-Salem, NC for Seniors

Local figures

Companion Care in Winston-Salem, NC: the local picture

38,688

residents 65 or older (15% of Winston-Salem)

34%

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

20%

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

8.2%

of households have no vehicle (6.2% in Forsyth County)

About 12,972 residents of Winston-Salem aged 65 or older live alone, 34% of older residents in households (31% in Forsyth County). They are the people companion care is usually for: mostly independent, but on their own for long stretches of the day.

8.2% of Winston-Salem households have no vehicle (6.2% in Forsyth County). A companion who drives can turn a week at home into appointments, shopping and visits.

Of the 38,688 Winston-Salem residents aged 65 or older, 4,894 are 85 or older (13%). 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.

18,874 Winston-Salem households headed by someone 65 or older own their home and 7,743 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 4,738 older Winston-Salem residents (13%) live below the poverty line (10% in Forsyth 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 20% of Winston-Salem residents aged 5 and over speak a language other than English at home. The most common are Spanish (35,720), other Indo-European languages (2,339), other languages (1,355). 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.

Winston-Salem compared with Forsyth County and North Carolina

Census figure	Winston-Salem	Forsyth County	North Carolina
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	31%	28%
Residents 65 or older	15%	17%	17%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	20%	16%	13%
Households with no vehicle	8.2%	6.2%	5.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	13%	10%	11%
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	30%	33%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$47,562	$50,508	—

Older residents in towns around Winston-Salem

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Walkertown, NC	6.1 mi	1,077	18%
Wallburg, NC	8.1 mi	704	14%
Clemmons, NC	8.5 mi	4,153	25%
Rural Hall, NC	8.6 mi	689	37%
Midway, NC	9.1 mi	1,029	23%
Lewisville, NC	9.1 mi	2,226	24%

Hospitals near Winston-Salem (for rides to appointments)

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center	Winston-Salem, NC	3.4 mi	4 of 5	(336) 718-5000
North Carolina Baptist Hospital	Winston-Salem, NC	6.0 mi	4 of 5	(336) 716-2011
High Point Regional Health System	High Point, NC	13 mi	2 of 5	(336) 878-6000

Straight-line miles from the center of Winston-Salem. 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 Winston-Salem

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 33% of the $3,964 monthly median income of Winston-Salem 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.

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 Winston-Salem: common questions

How many seniors live alone in Winston-Salem?

About 12,972 residents aged 65 or older, 34% of older residents in households (Census ACS 2020–2024) (31% in Forsyth County).

How much does companion care cost in Winston-Salem?

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 33% of the $3,964 monthly median income of Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem?

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 Winston-Salem

More senior care near Winston-Salem

Companion Care in nearby cities

Other care in Winston-Salem

More for Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem, NC