Companionship · Respite Care

Connection matters as much as care.

Loneliness affects health as seriously as any physical condition. Our trained companions in Colombo, Kandy, Galle and across Sri Lanka provide meaningful social engagement, practical day-to-day support, and planned respite care for family carers — so everyone in the picture gets the care they need.

Social engagement Transport & errands Light housekeeping Family respite care
Trained Companions
Flexible Scheduling
96% Match Success

What we offer

Two services, one caring team.

Companionship care
Social Wellbeing

Companionship & Support

Meaningful social engagement, transport assistance, and light housekeeping — keeping your loved one connected, active, and engaged with life in Colombo, Kandy, Galle, or wherever they live across Sri Lanka. Our companions are matched on personality and shared interests, not just availability.

Friendly conversation
Transport to appointments
Shopping & errands
Light housekeeping
Recreational activities
Technology help (WhatsApp, video calls)
Book a companion
Respite care for family carers
Family Support

Respite & Family Relief

A planned break for family carers — we step in so you can recharge, knowing your loved one is in safe, trusted hands. Particularly valuable for Sri Lankan families with members abroad in Australia, the UK, or the Middle East who need a reliable companion caring for their parents back home in Colombo or across Sri Lanka.

Planned family breaks
Emergency relief cover
Overnight sitting
Weekend respite
Social outings during relief
Full care handover briefing
Arrange respite care

Why companionship matters

Loneliness is a health issue.

Research consistently shows that chronic loneliness has the same impact on health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. For elderly Sri Lankans living alone or with limited social contact, meaningful connection is not a nice-to-have — it's essential to their physical and mental wellbeing.

Our companions are trained to build genuine relationships — not just to fill time. They share meals, take walks, play games, help with video calls to family abroad, and provide the kind of warm, consistent presence that no app or device can replace.

Better mood

Regular social engagement significantly reduces rates of depression and anxiety in elderly individuals.

Sharper mind

Active conversation and mental stimulation help slow cognitive decline and keep the mind engaged.

Safer at home

Companions notice early signs of physical or mental change — catching problems before they become crises.

The loneliness effect

15×

more impact than you think

Chronic loneliness carries the same health risk as smoking 15 cigarettes daily — yet it's routinely overlooked as a care need.

Elderly man playing chess
Mental engagement
Playing cards together
Social activities
Walking together outdoors
Mobility support
Joyful elderly care
Quality of life

Transparent pricing

Companionship, priced simply.

One annual membership covers coordination, payroll, and unlimited caregiver replacements. After that you pay a flat daily rate for the level of companionship and support your loved one needs.

Step one

BetterHands Annual Membership

LKR 20,000

One-time annual registration fee

  • Unlimited caregiver replacements at no additional cost if you are not satisfied
  • Payroll management and caregiver administration
  • Ongoing coordination and support from the BetterHands team
  • Access to all services covered under the BetterHands membership

Step two — daily service rates

Duties below are what each role normally provides — your care plan is tailored during the free assessment.

Caregiver

Daily living support and companionship

LKR 4,500/day

Most families start here — a parent who is managing, but should not be alone all day.

  • Friendly conversation and companionship
  • Bathing and personal care assistance (if required)
  • Medication reminders and general supervision
  • Simple meals and refreshments
  • Short walks and light activities (if appropriate)
  • Day-to-day assistance and emotional support
Most Requested

Nursing Assistant

Personal care plus basic clinical support

LKR 6,000/day

Common where diabetes, blood pressure or early-stage dementia needs daily monitoring.

  • Everything in the caregiver role
  • Vital signs monitoring (BP, blood sugar, SpO₂)
  • Medication reminders and administration support
  • Basic wound and continence care

Professional Nurse

Complex medical and post-operative needs

LKR 9,000/day

Usually after a hospital discharge, a stroke, or where wounds and IV care are involved.

  • Everything in the nursing assistant role
  • PHSRC-registered clinical nursing
  • Wound care, injections, and IV therapy
  • Catheter, NG tube, and post-operative care

Daily rates are charged in addition to the one-time annual registration fee of LKR 20,000. The same daily rates apply to day care, night care and live-in support — no shift premiums, no travel supplements for any district. Hospital bystander cover is priced by shift length instead — see that service page for its packages. A free care assessment is provided before any commitment.

A one-way transfer for the caregiver is arranged at the start of placement.

Trained

Companion Training

Before first placement

48h

Background Checks

Reference verified

96%

First-Match Success

Matched on 50+ factors

72 Hours

Placement Guarantee

We don't stop until you're matched

Client stories

What families say.

My grandfather was very lonely after being discharged from hospital. His BetterHands companion has become a true friend — he is happier and more engaged than he's been in years.

Priya N.

Kandy

Companionship
Our mother lives alone in Wellawatte while we work overseas. Her BetterHands companion visits daily and calls us every week. For the first time in years, we are not constantly worried.

Nimal & Kumari J.

Wellawatte, Colombo 06

Companionship
My father has early dementia and the BetterHands companion in Battaramulla keeps him engaged with chess and morning walks. The consistency of the same companion every day has made a real difference to his mood.

Shirani P.

Battaramulla

Companionship

FAQs

Common questions.

Everything about companion care and respite at home.

A caregiver assists with physical tasks like bathing and medication. A companion focuses on social and emotional wellbeing — conversation, activities, outings, transport, and household support. Many of our clients receive both, and we tailor the blend to what's needed.

It depends on how much social contact your loved one currently has and how isolated they feel. Some families book 2–3 visits a week; others want daily companionship. We'll assess your loved one's situation and recommend a schedule that genuinely makes a difference.

Yes. Our companions provide transport to medical appointments, outings, shops, and social events — using their own vehicles where available, or accompanying your loved one via taxi or tuk-tuk. We confirm transport arrangements during your care assessment.

Yes — consistency is central to how we work. We match your loved one with a specific companion and ensure the same person visits every time. Changing companions frequently undermines the trust and connection that makes companionship genuinely beneficial.

Respite care gives family members who are primary carers a planned break — for a few hours, a day, or longer. We step in and provide the same quality of care so you can rest, attend to your own needs, or simply recharge. It's not a luxury; it's essential for sustainable family caring.

This is very common, especially with elderly clients who value their independence. We introduce the companion gradually and frame early visits as informal check-ins rather than formal care. In our experience, most clients warm up quickly once they realise the companion is there to enrich their day — not to take over.

BetterHands operates on a membership model. A one-time annual registration fee of LKR 20,000 covers unlimited caregiver replacements, payroll management, caregiver administration, and ongoing coordination from our team. Daily service rates are then LKR 4,500 per day for a caregiver, LKR 6,000 per day for a nursing assistant, and LKR 9,000 per day for a professional nurse. The same daily rates apply to day care, night care and live-in support — there are no shift premiums and no travel supplements for any district. Hospital bystander cover is priced separately by shift length, from LKR 4,500 per shift. A free care assessment is provided before any commitment.

Companion care, city by city.

Who is still around, what there is to go and do, and which conversations quietly stopped — none of that is the same from one town to the next. Every page below is written around what company actually means where your parents live.

Explore more

Care across Sri Lanka.

Same standard. Same guarantee. Every district.

Matched in 72 hours, guaranteed

Ready to arrange
companion care?

Book a free assessment and we'll match your loved one with the right companion — someone who genuinely fits their personality, interests, and daily routine.

1,000+

Caregiver profiles

96%

First-match success

Trained

Caregiver training

72

Hours to placement

No lock-in contracts
Cancel anytime
Free first consultation

Join the movement

#BetterCareAtHome

Because great care belongs at home — not in a hospital corridor.