Last year, my mom was recovering from hip surgery, and I suddenly found myself spending 15–20 hours a week helping her with meals, meds, light housekeeping, and just keeping her company. I realized something: there are thousands of families in the exact same situation who would happily pay for that kind of help — and I could actually turn it into real part-time income.
Fast-forward three months: I’d earned $4,200 working roughly 12–15 hours a week as a senior-care companion on Care.com — all while wearing yoga pants and working around my own schedule. No certifications, no agency, just me, my reliable car, and a profile that took me about 45 minutes to set up.
Here’s exactly how I did it — beginner-friendly, step-by-step — so you can copy the same system if you enjoy spending time with seniors (or even if you just need flexible cash).
Step 1 – I Signed Up as a Caregiver (Took 12 Minutes)
I went to Care.com and clicked “Become a Caregiver” (here’s the direct link I still use: Care.com
Picked “Individual” (not a company) → Chose “Senior Care” as my main service + added “Housekeeping” and “Errands/Shopping” as extras because those pay extra and most families need them.
Step 2 – I Got the Trust Badges That Actually Matter
Families told me later they only messaged caregivers who had these:
- Completed the full profile (100 %)
- Passed Care.com’s background check ($25 one-time fee — worth every penny)
- Added the “Safety Pledge” and answered the screening questions
Pro tip: Do the background check immediately. I got my first message within 48 hours of the check clearing.
Step 3 – The Profile That Got Me Booked Solid
Most caregivers write one-line bios like “I love helping seniors.” That’s why they get zero messages.
Here’s the exact bio template I used (feel free to copy-paste and tweak):
> “Hi! I’m Sarah — I spent the last year being the primary support person for my own mom after her hip replacement, so I truly understand how overwhelming it can feel. I specialize in companionship, medication reminders, light meal prep, grocery runs, and light housekeeping. I’m patient, fully vaccinated (including flu & COVID booster), background-checked, and I have a perfect driving record. My favorite part of the day is hearing your loved one’s stories — my last client taught me how to make the best apple pie from scratch! Flexible schedule, happy to do recurring visits or one-time respite care. Looking forward to chatting!”
I also uploaded:
- A smiling photo of me with my golden retriever (instant warmth)
- A second photo of me helping my grandma bake cookies (proof I’m comfortable with seniors)
Step 4 – My Pricing Strategy (This Is Where Most People Underearn)
I started at **$28/hour** for companionship only.
Once I had 5 five-star reviews I raised it to **$32–35/hour** and started adding “package deals”:
- 4-hour visit = $120 flat
- Weekly recurring (3+ days) = $30/hour
Families love predictability, and I instantly booked two recurring clients at the higher rate.
Step 5 – How I Landed the First Client in Under a Week
I turned on notifications and replied to job posts within 5–10 minutes with this short message:
> “Hi [Name]! I just read your post about needing companionship and light help for your dad 3 afternoons a week — I’d love to help. I cared for my own mom last year after surgery so I completely understand what you’re going through. I’m background-checked, vaccinated, and available the exact days you need. Happy to hop on a quick call or do a paid meet-and-greet. Looking forward to hearing from you! 😊 – Sarah”
80 % of the families I sent that to replied. I landed my first recurring client (12 hours/week) on day 6.
My Actual Earnings Breakdown (First 3 Months)
- Month 1: $980 (mostly one-time respite jobs while building reviews)
- Month 2: $1,450 (picked up one recurring client)
- Month 3: $1,770 (second recurring client + rate increase)
Total: **$4,200** for ~160 hours of work — all part-time, all on my schedule.
The Best Part?
I now have families who text me directly when they need extra help. I turned down jobs in November because I was fully booked. That never happens on the “first come, first served” apps.
If you’re reliable, kind, and enjoy chatting with older adults, senior care on Care.com is honestly one of the easiest and most rewarding side incomes out there right now.
Ready to try it yourself? → Start your free caregiver account here: Care.com
(It’s 100 % free to sign up and browse jobs — you only pay if you want the background check or premium features.)
You only pay if you want the background check or premium features.)
You don’t need medical training. You just need to be the kind of person a family feels safe letting into their home — and that’s worth its weight in gold (and $30+/hour) these days.
Good luck — I hope your inbox starts blowing up with messages the same way mine did!
