A family's guide
Which care level is right for us?
There's no single right answer — only the right answer for your family this month. Here's how we help families think it through, in the same plain language we use at the kitchen table.
Use this guide to determine which level of in-home memory care fits your loved one today: Companion Care for supervision and engagement, Memory Care Essentials for daily personal and dementia-trained care, or Comprehensive 24/7 in-home care for advanced needs. The 2-minute care quiz at the bottom gives a personalized recommendation.
Last updated: May 2026
Start here
Three honest questions before you pick a level
- 01
Is there a memory or cognition piece?
If yes — repeated questions, sundowning, a diagnosis — start at Memory Care, even if the physical needs are small.
- 02
Is there a hands-on physical piece?
Bathing, transfers, mobility, recent falls → Personal Care. Otherwise → Companion Care.
- 03
When is the hardest part of the day?
Nights → Overnight Care. All hours → 24-Hour Care. Just the family caregiver burning out → Respite Care.
2-Minute Care Assessment
Not sure what level of care your family needs?
Eight honest questions, two minutes, a personalized recommendation. No obligation, no pressure — just clarity.
Used by 200+ Oakland, Macomb & Wayne County families
The levels, side by side
A clear picture of each level — and when it's the right one
Read the "pick this if" lines first. If three or more sound like the last few weeks at your house, you're in the right neighborhood.
Companion Care
An independent older adult who is mostly safe at home but lonely, isolated, or starting to lose structure in the day.
Pick this if…
- Meals are getting skipped or repetitive
- The phone calls home are getting shorter and quieter
- You notice small things slipping — mail, hobbies, plans with friends
- Mom or Dad just needs a familiar face a few times a week
Probably not the right fit if…
There's hands-on bathing, transferring, or memory-related safety risk — that's personal care or memory care.
Typical hours: 4–20 hours/week is typical
Read the Companion Care page →Personal Care
An older adult who needs hands-on help with bathing, dressing, grooming, or moving safely around the house.
Pick this if…
- Bathing has become unsafe — or it's stopped happening
- You see signs of wear: same clothes, skipped grooming
- Getting up from the chair or bed has become a two-person job
- There's been a recent fall, or a near-miss
Probably not the right fit if…
The need is mostly company and engagement — start with companion care first.
Typical hours: 8–40 hours/week is typical
Read the Personal Care page →Memory Care
Anyone with a dementia diagnosis or clear cognitive decline — even if they're still physically capable.
Pick this if…
- Repeating questions, sundowning, or 4 p.m. agitation
- A previous caregiver was 'fired' or refused
- The spouse or family caregiver hasn't slept through the night in months
- Wandering, accusations, or unsafe moments are starting to scare you
Probably not the right fit if…
There's no cognitive component — companion or personal care is usually a better fit and a lower cost.
Typical hours: Often pairs with overnight or 24-hour care
Read the Memory Care page →Overnight Care
Families where the nights are the hardest part — wandering, bathroom trips, sundowning, or post-surgical worry.
Pick this if…
- You're afraid to fall asleep in case something happens
- There have been overnight falls or wandering episodes
- Sundowning means the evening is the worst part of the day
- A spouse caregiver is depleted from broken sleep
Probably not the right fit if…
Daytime is the harder shift — start with daytime companion or personal care.
Typical hours: 8–10 hour awake shifts, typically 10 p.m.–6 a.m.
Read the Overnight Care page →24-Hour & Live-In Care
Late-stage dementia, post-stroke recovery, or any situation where someone genuinely cannot be alone.
Pick this if…
- A move to assisted living or memory care is being considered
- The spouse needs to stay home but can no longer be the sole caregiver
- Hospital readmissions or near-misses are happening monthly
- The current patchwork of family help is breaking down
Probably not the right fit if…
Coverage gaps are only a few hours a day — daytime + overnight separately is often more affordable.
Typical hours: Two awake 12-hour shifts, every day
Read the 24-Hour & Live-In Care page →Respite Care
Family caregivers who need a regular break — an afternoon, a weekend, a vacation, or just a full night's sleep.
Pick this if…
- You haven't had a real day off in months
- You're snapping at people you love and it's not who you are
- A trip is coming up and you don't know what you'll do
- Your own health appointments are being skipped
Probably not the right fit if…
The need is permanent and growing — go straight to ongoing companion, personal, or memory care.
Typical hours: From a single 4-hour visit to multi-week trip coverage
Read the Respite Care page →Hospital-to-Home
The first 2–6 weeks after a hospital stay, surgery, or rehab discharge — when readmission risk is highest.
Pick this if…
- A discharge date is on the whiteboard and the home isn't ready
- There's a new diagnosis, new equipment, or new medications
- The family lives out of town and can't be there for recovery
- There's a history of bouncing back to the hospital
Probably not the right fit if…
Long-term ongoing support is needed — start here, then transition to companion or personal care.
Typical hours: Often starts at 8–12 hours/day, tapers down weekly
Read the Hospital-to-Home page →Pair with any level
Specific support that layers onto the care plan
These aren't usually the whole care plan — they're the practical pieces you add once you've chosen a level above.
Medication Support
Pairs with any care level when meds are getting missed or doubled.
Meals & Nutrition
Add when appetite is dropping or the same three foods are on repeat.
Light Housekeeping
Add when the lived-in spaces are slipping but a deep clean isn't the issue.
Transportation & Errands
Add for door-through-door appointments, pharmacy runs, and weekly errands.
Hospice & Palliative
Add alongside hospice for the daily presence between clinical visits.
Most families pick the wrong level the first time — and that's okay.
The free in-home assessment is the real answer. We sit at the kitchen table for about an hour, ask the right questions, and tell you honestly what we'd do if it were our parent. No pressure, no contracts, no obligation to start.
What care looks like at home
Real conversations, real kitchens, real comfort — across every level of care.
When you're ready, we're here.
Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne County families have trusted EverCare with the hardest seasons of caregiving. We'd be honored to help with yours.