As people age, it becomes more difficult to do tasks like housework, driving, cooking, getting up and down stairs, or following a medication regimen. Senior care is when a team or individual assists with fulfilling the needs of an elderly person. They help keep them safe and able to continue living a fulfilling life.

At what age is someone considered a senior?

Someone is normally considered a senior by the time they reach the age of 65. This is mostly because 65 is when many people retire and when government benefits kick in. Most people don't consider themselves or loved ones a senior until they are at least 70 years of age or older.

What services does senior care include?

Senior care can include anything that will benefit the individual needing assistance. This will be decided on a case-by-case basis, but might involve doing laundry, running errands, home organization, housekeeping, transportation, and more. Almost anything that will help the elderly live a productive life can be performed through senior care.

Why should I use a senior care service?

If you or a loved one are suffering from an inability to take care of yourself and your home like you used to, it's time to get help. It is a wonderful thing for family and friends to step in and do what they can, but over time this can become burdensome and may not always be reliable. Hiring a senior care service ensures that help is always readily available when needed without having to rely on other loved ones all the time.

How often do caregivers visit the home?

Every person's needs are different, so you will be the one who decides how often a caregiver is needed. Sometimes they might visit a couple times a week to take care of grocery shopping or other essential duties around the house. Other times you need round-the-clock assistance and would hire a live-in caregiver to be there 24/7. There are many professionals with a range of flexibility who are available when you need them.

What are the qualifications of senior caregivers?

Most of the time, senior caregivers are over the age of 21. Depending on the agency you go with, the requirements they set for their candidates may differ slightly. You are able to set your own criteria for a caregiver and find someone who matches that. Some examples of qualifications include being CNA certified, first-aid certified, passing a company's senior care course, a nursing degree, experience working in a healthcare facility, and others. There is no such thing as a senior care license, so you'll find that the backgrounds and qualifications of candidates vary from person to person.

What is the cost of senior care?

When hiring a caregiver, you will usually be able to choose from a range of professionals with different backgrounds. For experienced caregivers who will be performing regular duties, the cost will be higher than a new CNA looking to get started in their career field. Most senior caregivers come with their own hourly rate, which will play a part in deciding who you choose to hire. It's not uncommon to see hourly rates between $10 and $30.

How do I choose the right senior care service?

Senior care companies make it easy to narrow down the list of available caregivers in your area. Using their online website, you'll be able to choose how soon you need to find a caregiver, your desired qualifications, the hours you need assistance, where you live, what you're willing to pay, and other important factors that will help filter through the pool of candidates. From there you can read bios of different caregivers and get a feel for who would be a good fit for you or your loved one. Some companies let you meet the caregiver or give them a trial run before hiring them on.

Best Senior Care Services for January 2026

Item: The Best Senior Care Services - Summary Reviews
Rating: 5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Sunday, January 18th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2026 Senior Care Service Reviews

Where can you find the best resources for senior care? As the years go by, we discover that our parents need a little more help than they used to. Perhaps an illness has afflicted a beloved family member who wants to stay at home rather than be moved to a care facility. Maybe we are the ones realizing that we're getting older and unable to care for ourselves properly. Whichever the case, finding quality and reputable home care for seniors can be a challenge.

5.0

EXCELLENT

Best Option

Right at Home

Over 700 locations nationwide
Companion care, personal care, nursing, and specialized care offered
Both medical and non-medical care

Read Full Review

EXCELLENT

5.0

On the Right at Home website

For medical and non-medical home care, Right at Home matches you with screened caregivers who are highly trained, insured, and available up to 24 hours a day. With over 700 locations around the United States and worldwide, it is easy to search for a location near you. Setting up a free in-home consultation is the first part of their five-step care plan process. For keeping clients' needs a priority and providing excellent care of all kinds, Right at Home once again tops our list of recommended senior care options.

4.5

GREAT

Great

Visiting Angels

Locations in 49 states plus DC
Non-medical services offered include personal, companion, respite, dementia and Alzheimer's care
24-hour care offered

Read Full Review

GREAT

4.5

On the Visiting Angels website

Located in 49 states, Visiting Angels has over 600 agencies across the country to provide caregivers for non-medical home help. The easy request process helps you to schedule a free consultation for in-home services ranging from light housekeeping to 24-hour care. Screened and trained caregivers are matched with clients to provide the best possible care, making Visiting Angels a top pick for non-medical services.

4.4

GREAT

Great

BrightStar Care

Over 400 locations in 40 states plus DC
Services offered include personal and companion care, memory care, short-term transitional, 24-hour care, and in-home therapy
Both medical and non-medical care

Read Full Review

GREAT

4.4

On the BrightStar Care website

With senior care services of all types, BrightStar Care has locations in 40 states. No-obligation consultations are simple to set up. All caregivers have been screened and trained, and care teams are led by a registered nurse. The 400 independent locations of this company are required by BrightStar Care to earn Joint Commission accreditation, holding them to a higher standard of care, which put them near the top of our list, too.

4.0

VERY GOOD

Very Good

SYNERGY Home Care

Over 500 locations in 42 states
Non-medical services offered including companion care, memory care, hospital transition, and respite care
24-hour care available

Read Full Review

VERY GOOD

4.0

On the SYNERGY Home Care website

With more than 500 locations spread over 42 states, SYNERGY HomeCare offers a strong presence in the nation's home care market for non-medical care. With innovative care options (including robotic therapy pets in some cases), they match screened caregivers to your loved one's preferences. With thousands of reviews from pleased clients, we recommend SYNERGY HomeCare as a solid option for non-medical in-home care.

3.9

VERY GOOD

Very Good

Home Instead

Locations in all 50 states plus DC
Non-medical services offered including personal, companion, meal prep, transportation, end-of-life, and chronic care
Free consultation offered

Read Full Review

VERY GOOD

3.9

On the Home Instead website

With close to 1,200 locations across the United States, Home Instead offers the world's largest home care network. For over 30 years, this company has provided a range of non-medical care options by screened caregivers. However, hundreds of negative reviews keep this company from a higher place on our recommended provider list.

3.5

GOOD

Good

Home Helpers

In 39 states across the country plus DC
Non-medical care services offered include respite, companionship, wellness checks, specialized, live-in 24/7, nutritional meals and planning, and home safety assessments
Free in-home consultation

Read Full Review

GOOD

3.5

On the Home Helpers website

In business since 1997, Home Helpers Home Care provides senior services in 39 states. The non-medical options for in-home care are customized to meet your needs and even includes the option for remote monitoring. These experienced and insured caregivers have earned mostly positive reviews, but their smaller network places them just above average on our list.

3.4

GOOD

Good

Always Best Care

Over 230 locations in 30 states
Both medical and non-skilled services offered including personal care, hospice, memory care, respite care, and private duty nursing
24-hour care available

Read Full Review

GOOD

3.4

On the Always Best Care website

Though Always Best Care has limited locations for in-home care and medical options, the website shows comprehensive lists of services provided. Their complimentary Always in Touch phone program is an added bonus to their senior services, as are the remote monitoring options. With screened caregivers monitored by a dedicated RN and mainly positive reviews, Always Best Care earns a spot just above average on our senior care list.

3.0

AVERAGE

Average

Comfort Keepers

Locations in 45 states
Services offered include personal, companion, respite, end-of-life, in-facility, and private duty nursing
Both medical and non-medical care

Read Full Review

AVERAGE

3.0

On the Comfort Keepers website

Comfort Keepers has a large network of locations over 45 states, providing personal care as well as medical services in most places. However, the small number of reviews with very mixed ratings don't really give an accurate idea of the company's reputation. This puts Comfort Keepers at "just average" as a senior care option.

2.5

FAIR

Fair

TheKey

110 locations in 33 states
Services offered include companion care, help around the home, respite care, memory care, specialized care, end-of-life care, and private duty nursing
Both medical and non-medical care

Read Full Review

FAIR

2.5

On the TheKey website

A smaller worldwide senior care provider, TheKey uses a holistic approach to both their medical and non-medical services. Though they offer private duty nursing, it's only available in certain states, and cancelling services may incur a fee. When combined with the tiny amount of reviews, TheKey ranks just below average for us as a senior care service.

1.5

WEAK

Weak

Great AuPair

Locations vary based on employment listings when you search
Services offered may include certified professionals or inexperienced people who are looking for a job
Both medical and non-medical care may be available

Read Full Review

WEAK

1.5

On the Great AuPair website

For those looking to hire their own private care, Great AuPair provides a job listing website of worldwide candidates able to work for you. Free memberships are available, though features are limited and you may end up needing to pay to find help. Reviews are limited and warn prospective clients away from the platform, which is why we put Great AuPair near the bottom of our list of senior care options.

1.4

WEAK

Weak

Care

Locations vary depending on when you view listings
Services offered may include companion and personal care, memory care, respite care, and live-in care
Screening process for care providers includes a background check

Read Full Review

WEAK

1.4

On the Care website

As a caregiver job listing platform, Care offers a way to connect providers directly with those seeking help. Membership fees are required to contact any of the providers, and poor reviews about the company - as well as a federal lawsuit - place it near the bottom of our list for senior care options.

1.0

POOR

Poor

Sittercity

Locations vary with listings, though the platform is available in all 50 states
Services offered vary with listings, though the website mentions senior companions, rehabilitation care, certified nursing assistants, respite care, hospice care, drop-in care, and medication assistance
Both medical and non-medical care may be available

Read Full Review

POOR

1.0

On the Sittercity website

Sittercity is a care job listing platform with outdated provider profiles. Undisclosed membership fees and a lack of reviews put this senior care option at the bottom of our list. You'll do much better with an eldercare-focused platform - like the ones we've rated highly.

Continued from above...

Where Can You Find the Best Resources for Senior Care?

As the years go by, we discover that our parents need a little more help than they used to. Perhaps an illness has afflicted a beloved family member who wants to stay at home rather than be moved to a care facility. Maybe we are the ones realizing that we're getting older and unable to care for ourselves properly. Whichever the case, finding quality and reputable home care for seniors can be a challenge.

The purpose of senior home care is to keep people in the environment where they are most comfortable and familiar. This "aging in place" is preferred by 9 out of 10 older adults, compared to moving into a senior facility or assisted living. Services exist to help aging individuals to live with dignity as they are treated with respect by caregivers who practice compassionate personal care. They can help by bathing clients, assisting with meal preparation, and reminding them to take medication - all non-medical tasks.

Additionally, these types of companies make it possible for older people to remain independent and mobile with help even just a few hours a week. An estimated 41% of American adults over the age of 75 may be living alone. By providing transportation to appointments, getting groceries, or even playing a game of cards together, home caregivers can offer companionship and assistance to seniors who are isolated from family who may be hundreds of miles away.

Those who are already taking care of a loved one know how hard it can be. To help prevent burnout for caregivers who are often working another job and taking care of their own young families, respite care is an option offered by many companies. The service can be utilized on a one-time or recurring basis to provide a break for the nearly 1 in 5 Americans providing unpaid care for a relative.

And, sometimes professional medical care is required. In-home health care is available from some providers to avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor's office or hospital. If your loved one requires specialized care, be sure to look for nurses and other skilled medical service caregivers.

There are many factors to consider when looking at care for your aging loved one. Here are the top criteria on our list:

Availability in your area. Before going too far in your search, we recommend making sure the company offers care where you need it. Look up the local office and see if they will send caregivers to your location.
Reputation. While you have that office listing in front of you, what do the reviews say about this company? Since many are independently-owned offices, you need to look for reviews about the local provider or franchise before you decide to pursue care.
Care provider screening process. Does the company conduct background checks, drug screenings, or reference checks? It is imperative to make sure you have someone trustworthy in your home or taking care of your loved one.
Rates and contracts. You will have to do some research, because fees vary greatly from state-to-state, based on the services required and frequency of visits. Make certain you are comfortable with the fees, some of which may be covered by health insurance or other programs.
Multiple caregivers. Find out if you will have an assigned care team or be expecting a lot of different people to perform your home care services. Many people find it helpful to get comfortable with one or two people in their home rather than a revolving door of providers.

At Top Consumer Reviews, we want to help you make an informed decision regarding the best care options for your senior loved one (or yourself). To that end, we have reviewed and ranked some of today's most popular services - so you can identify the best home care available in your area and get assistance as soon as possible.