Last reviewed October 2026 by the Family Lantern team against the sources listed below. Programs and rates change; confirm details with the program or provider.
There is no standard number. The right schedule comes from the person’s actual day: which tasks are hard, when they happen, and whether the person is safe alone in between.
Map the day first
Write down a typical day hour by hour: getting up, bathing, meals, medicines, appointments, and bedtime. Mark the tasks where help is needed and the times they happen.
Many needs cluster in the morning and evening. A morning visit for bathing and breakfast and an evening visit for dinner and getting ready for bed can cover more than a single long shift.
Common schedules
A few visits a week can cover companionship, errands, light housekeeping, and bathing help. Daily visits of several hours suit someone who needs help with several daily tasks. Overnight or live-in care is for people who are not safe alone at night.
Ask providers about their minimum visit length, since some require several hours per visit.
Check safety between visits
The key question is what happens when no one is there. Can the person get to the bathroom, handle a fall, and remember medicines? If not, the gaps may need more coverage, family help, or a different setting.
Revisit the schedule
Needs change. Start with a schedule you can sustain, and review it after a few weeks with the caregiver and the provider. Increasing or reducing hours is normal.