The Companion Aide Program
Through a referral process, The Shepherd’s Center’s Companion Aide Program can help you hire a home health aide. Trained to help those in need who want to continue living independently, home health aides assist clients with activities of daily living; such as bathing, dressing, feeding, housekeeping and driving. Aides can be hired for just a few hours a week or full-time.
The Shepherd’s Center’s Companion Aide Committee screens all home health aides before they are approved for referral. There is no charge for referrals, and the client is the employer. Home health aides typically charge between $10 - $15 per hour.
For more information, please contact Ardith Allen, Director of the Companion Aide Program, 704.365.1995 or aallen@shepherdscharlotte.org
Purpose of the Companion Aide Program
The Home Service Division of Shepherd's Center of Charlotte, Inc. provides several services to enable persons age 55 and over to live comfortably and securely in their own homes as long as possible.
The Companion Aide service provides referral to caregivers who can help care for sick or incapacitated older adults.
Qualifications of an Aide
Prospective Companion Aides are screened by a committee of retired nurses before being placed on the referral list. Aides qualify on the basis of experience, training, maturity and personality. References are checked thoroughly.
Some aides are graduates of home nursing courses offered by Central Piedmont Community College and others; some aides are licensed by the state (CNA’s). Training is not always required but the equivalent in experience is required.
What Does An Aide Do?
Shepherd's Center of Charlotte, Inc. makes every effort to match the skills of the worker to the needs of the patient. Although aides provide primarily non-medical help, they can perform such routine home nursing services as taking temperatures or assisting with medication.
Duties of aides range from keeping the patient company to assisting with bathing and dressing or meeting the greater needs of a bed patient, such as meals and light housekeeping and laundry.
Some aides have cars and are willing to use them to help with transportation and shopping.
When Can Aides Work?
Some Companion Aides are available for a minimum of 4 hours daily, while others can work all day or all night. Aides may take jobs lasting several weeks, several months or even longer, depending on the needs of the employer.
Where Are Aides Available?
Shepherd's Center of Charlotte, Inc. will refer a Companion Aide to any older person or family of an older person in Mecklenburg County. Aides may decline jobs they cannot reach by bus or jobs they feel are too far away.
What Do Aides Cost?
Rates, whether by hour, by shift or by day, are determined between the employer and the aide. The Center will supply employers with information about standard rates for these kinds of services upon request.
The Shepherd's Center does not charge for this referral service, which benefits caregivers, individuals and families in need. The Center relies on and appreciates contributions that support this valuable home service.
How Do You Get An Aide?
Contact The Shepherd's Center, 704.365.1995 or aallen@shepherdscharlotte.org between 9 am and 5 pm weekdays.
Would you like to be a Companion Aide?
- Are you mature and dependable with training and or experience in personal care?
- Contact The Shepherd's Center to receive an application for work.
- Interview with members of the Companion Aide Committee.
- If you successfully complete the interview, and if your references are positive, your name will be put on the referral list and you will be notified when something becomes available.
- When a prospective employer calls you, agree on the terms of your employment: wages, hours, duties, social security.
- Notify Shepherd's Center that you are working.
- Report changes in your employment status to The Center.
- The Shepherd's Center does not employ companion aides. There is no charge to employer or employee for The Center's Companion Aide Service.