How much does companionship cost in Scotland?
Cost is usually the second question families ask, right after whether we cover their area. It deserves a straight answer, so here is how pricing works and what to watch for when comparing providers.
What changes the price
Three things move the number more than anything else: how long each visit lasts, how often it happens, and how far the companion travels. A short weekly visit close to home sits at the lower end. A long visit at short notice in an outlying village sits higher.
Watch for extras that are easy to miss. Some providers charge separately for mileage, for bank holidays, or for changing a visit at short notice. Ask for the full picture in writing before you agree to anything.
Our approach
We quote after a free, no obligation phone conversation, because a price given before we understand the situation is a guess. There are no joining fees. Our companions are paid the real Living Wage, which is part of why the same person keeps turning up week after week.
A lower cost option
If a visit is more than the budget allows, regular phone companionship is a genuine alternative rather than a poor substitute. Our one off call is £17 and additional 30 minutes are £15. For many people who mainly miss conversation, a scheduled call two or three times a week changes the whole rhythm of the week.
Help with the cost
Ask your local council about Self Directed Support. It lets some people choose and arrange their own support rather than being placed with a set service. Attendance Allowance may also be relevant for older people who need help, and it is not means tested.
Local carer centres can help you apply and will not charge you for the advice. Even if you are fairly sure you will not qualify, an hour spent asking is rarely wasted.
Comparing fairly
When you compare two quotes, line up the length of the visit, whether the same companion comes each time, what happens when they are on holiday, and whether travel is included. The cheapest hourly rate is not always the cheapest year.
If you would like a clear price for your situation, book a free callback and choose a time that suits you, or call 01236 359027.
Keep reading
Help paying for support in Scotland: benefits and funding families often miss
Attendance Allowance, Pension Age Disability Payment, Carer Support Payment, council contributions and Council Tax reductions, explained in plain English.
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Companionship services in Glasgow: a family guide
What companionship actually covers, what it costs, and how families in Glasgow arrange it without a long wait.
Read article →Phone companionship: what a friendly weekly call really does for older adults
A short, regular phone call can lift mood, steady sleep and shrink the day's small worries. Here is what phone companionship is, who it suits, and how it works at Niamz.
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