Resident care aide vs companion

The differences between resident care aides and companions can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a companion has an average salary of $29,246, which is higher than the $28,846 average annual salary of a resident care aide.

The top three skills for a resident care aide include CPR, home health and assist residents. The most important skills for a companion are companionship, patients, and home health.

Resident care aide vs companion overview

	Resident Care Aide	Companion
Yearly salary	$28,846	$29,246
Hourly rate	$13.87	$14.06
Growth rate	36%	36%
Number of jobs	164,696	75,753
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	High School Diploma, 28%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	-	-

Resident care aide vs companion salary

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

	Resident Care Aide	Companion
Average salary	$28,846	$29,246
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $37,000	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 resident care aide and companion education

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

	Resident Care Aide	Companion
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	High School Diploma, 28%
Most common major	Nursing	Nursing
Most common college	-	-

Resident care aide vs companion demographics

Here are the differences between resident care aides' and companions' demographics:

	Resident Care Aide	Companion
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 13.9% Female, 86.1%	Male, 12.1% Female, 87.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 8.1% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	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 resident care aide and companion duties and responsibilities

Resident care aide example responsibilities.

Recognize by physicians for ability to meticulously prepare patient's chest and attach leads to obtain excellent quality EKG tracings.
Operate medical devices (hoyer, sit to stand, walkers, wheelchairs) [].
Take care of residents per ADL's (dressing, basic hygiene, toileting, medication reminders and ambulation).
Perform wound, catheter, and colostomy care.
Escort residents to meals with walkers or wheel chairs.
Assist in emptying a catheter as well as providing the daily peri-care.

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.

Resident care aide vs companion skills

Common resident care aide skills

CPR, 18%
Home Health, 15%
Assist Residents, 12%
Patients, 11%
Vital Signs, 6%
RCA, 5%

Common companion skills

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