Geriatric aide vs companion

The differences between geriatric aides and companions can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a geriatric aide has an average salary of $29,936, which is higher than the $29,246 average annual salary of a companion.

The top three skills for a geriatric aide include ADL, patient care and vital signs. The most important skills for a companion are companionship, patients, and home health.

Geriatric aide vs companion overview

	Geriatric Aide	Companion
Yearly salary	$29,936	$29,246
Hourly rate	$14.39	$14.06
Growth rate	36%	36%
Number of jobs	44,150	75,753
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	High School Diploma, 28%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	-	-

Geriatric aide vs companion salary

Geriatric aides and companions have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Geriatric Aide	Companion
Average salary	$29,936	$29,246
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $39,000	Between $22,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	-	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Merck
Best paying industry	-	Non Profits

Differences between geriatric aide and companion education

There are a few differences between a geriatric aide and a companion in terms of educational background:

	Geriatric Aide	Companion
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	High School Diploma, 28%
Most common major	Psychology	Nursing
Most common college	-	-

Geriatric aide vs companion demographics

Here are the differences between geriatric aides' and companions' demographics:

	Geriatric Aide	Companion
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 8.8% Female, 91.3%	Male, 12.1% Female, 87.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 13.6% White, 47.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 7.7% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between geriatric aide and companion duties and responsibilities

Geriatric aide example responsibilities.

Sit with residents and assist with food trays.
Provide companionship on a daily basis by lending an ear or a shoulder to lean on.
Conduct individual exercise instruction as prescribed by supervising therapist, significantly resulting in improving the overall well being of many patients.
Conduct qualifying assessments for prospective GED exam candidates.

Companion example responsibilities.

Assist residents with use of bedpans, urinals, commode, and bathroom and assist with routine catheter care.
Experience with wind care, colostomy, fluid and electrolyte balance; assist with ambulation, ADL's and medication administration.
Provide companionship to elderly patients which also include feeding and light bathing
Perform first aid, knowledgeable with CPR.
Display empathy, compassion, care, and love.
Used skills as: compassion, listening, problem solving.

Geriatric aide vs companion skills

Common geriatric aide skills

ADL, 86%
Patient Care, 8%
Vital Signs, 4%
Body Mechanics, 1%
Individual Treatment Plan, 1%
Companionship, 0%

Common companion skills

Companionship, 20%
Patients, 16%
Home Health, 7%
Provide Emotional Support, 7%
Patient Care, 7%
Meal Prep, 5%