SeniorsList Rating: 4.5 / 5
Papa is a different animal from every other service on our home care page, so let’s set expectations right away. Papa Pals are not caregivers — they can’t help your parent bathe, get dressed, or manage medications. What they can do is show up, keep your parent company, drive them to a doctor’s appointment, toss in a load of laundry, and play cards for a couple hours. For a lot of seniors who are lonely and just need another person around, that’s actually exactly what’s missing.
Here’s the part that surprises people: if your parent has the right Medicare Advantage plan, Papa visits are completely free. No copay, no hourly charge, nothing. A reader’s mother in Georgia had Papa as a plan benefit for six months before the family even knew about it. Once they started booking visits, her daughter said the change in her mom’s mood was noticeable within weeks. She went from watching TV alone all day to having someone to talk to twice a week.
We do want to flag that Papa went through some rough patches in 2023 — layoffs, restructuring — and some families in certain areas reported longer wait times. Before you count on it, call your insurance plan and confirm that Papa is still a covered benefit and that there are Pals available in your area. If you’re trying to figure out whether your parent’s plan includes Papa, email us at [email protected] and we can walk you through how to check.
Papa Pals: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Flexible scheduling: Papa requires no contracts or weekly minimums. Visits can be booked as needed, whenever the client wants them — a stark contrast to traditional agency requirements.
- Free through qualifying plans: Seniors enrolled in participating Medicare Advantage or employer benefit plans pay nothing for visits. Compare that to companion care from traditional agencies, which typically runs $25 to $45 per hour.
- Verified transportation: Papa confirms the auto insurance of all Pals before they can drive clients, allowing them to safely transport members to appointments, errands, or social outings.
- Nationwide availability: Papa operates in all 50 states.
Cons
- Access requires a qualifying plan: You cannot hire a Papa Pal directly. Service is available only through health insurance plans or employer benefit programs that have partnered with Papa. This limits access for families whose plans don’t include the benefit.
- No personal or medical care: Papa Pals are not certified caregivers. They cannot assist with bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding, or mobility, and they provide no medical services. Families whose loved ones need hands-on personal care will need a traditional agency or independent caregiver.
About Papa
Papa started as a platform connecting college students with seniors for companionship. The company has since evolved into a nationwide care benefit offered through hundreds of health plans and employer programs. Members connect with Papa Pals through a mobile app or phone, booking visits for companionship, household help, or transportation.
Important note: In 2023, Papa underwent significant layoffs and corporate restructuring, which may have affected service availability and response times in some areas. If you are considering Papa, we recommend verifying current availability and coverage through your health plan before relying on the service.
Each Papa Pal completes a background check and attends an onboarding session before taking visits. Their training is focused on understanding the boundaries of the role — what they can do, what they cannot, and how to engage supportively with older adults.
What Papa Pals Do
A typical Papa visit runs two to four hours. During that time, a Pal can help with:
- Companionship: Conversation, watching television together, playing cards or board games, and providing uplifting social engagement.
- Household tasks: Laundry, light cleaning, food preparation, and pet care.
- Transportation and errands: Driving clients to appointments, running errands, or accompanying them inside stores and offices.
- Exercise support: Walking together, light stretching, or other activity that a client is capable of and wants to do.
- Medication reminders: Pals cannot administer medications, but they can remind clients to take prescribed doses on schedule.
Papa Pals vs. Personal Caregivers
| Papa Pals | Personal Caregivers | |
|---|---|---|
| Services | Companionship, transportation, household tasks | Personal care, mobility, hygiene, feeding, medical support |
| Certification | Background check; no caregiver training required | Certified or trained (CNA, HHA) |
| Cost | Free through qualifying plans | $30–$37/hr depending on location |
| Commitment | No contracts or minimums | Agency contracts often required |
| Scheduling | Flexible, on-demand | Usually scheduled in advance |
How Much Does Papa Cost?
For members of qualifying health plans, Papa visits are free. For those paying directly, costs average $25 to $30 per hour depending on location.
The flexibility advantage is significant: Papa can be booked on demand with no minimum commitment. Traditional home care agencies typically require shift minimums of four hours and weekly hour commitments — Papa has neither.
How to Access Papa
Papa is available exclusively through health insurance plans and employer benefits. To find out if you qualify, contact your health insurance provider or HR department and ask whether your plan includes a Papa benefit. If it does, enrollment is handled through the Papa app or by phone. Once enrolled, you can browse available Pals, select a date and visit length, and note the types of assistance you need.
Our Assessment
Papa fills a genuine gap in the care landscape. For seniors who are lonely, need occasional household help, or want a reliable ride to appointments, Papa delivers real value — and when it’s covered through a Medicare Advantage plan, the cost barrier disappears entirely.
The service is not a substitute for certified caregivers. Families whose loved ones need assistance with bathing, toileting, or medical care will need a licensed home care agency. But for companionship and light support, Papa is one of the most accessible and affordable options available today.
If your loved one has a Medicare Advantage plan, checking for a Papa benefit is a worthwhile first step.