A higher standard of care
Why families choose Guiding Sidekicks over the typical agency
Many agencies run on volume: whoever is free gets sent, and families are left calling a switchboard. We built Guiding Sidekicks to do the opposite.
| Typical agency | Guiding Sidekicks | |
|---|---|---|
| Who shows up | Whoever is available that day | ✓ One hand-picked caregiver, matched by personality |
| When they're out | A stranger fills in, or the visit is missed | ✓ A backup who already knows your loved one |
| When you call | A call center or voicemail | ✓ The owner, directly |
| Staying informed | Little visibility between visits | ✓ A Family Portal with schedules, verified visits and notes |
| 24-hour care | One caregiver stretched around the clock | ✓ Rested caregivers on 12- or 8-hour shifts |
| In an emergency | Scrambling for medications and contacts | ✓ Emergency Info Packet ready for paramedics |
| Memory care | Often basic training only, reacting once a crisis hits | ✓ Sensitive, stage-by-stage care and a plan for what comes next |
| Visit minimum | High minimums, often several hours per visit, even for a quick task | ✓ Just 1 hour: a shower, a pharmacy run or a check-in, handled in one visit hour |
| Your rate | Can change by task, day or holiday | ✓ One fixed level rate, quoted up front |
| Who runs it | Distant corporate management | ✓ Locally owned and run by a founder who's been a caregiver himself |
See the difference for yourself, at no cost.
Fixed-rate care
One fixed rate. Billed the same every time.
Your hourly rate is set by your care level and never changes from visit to visit. Everything on your care plan is included, with no extra fees. The only exception is emergency or short-notice care.
Built for budgeting.
Many families plan care around a fixed monthly budget, and a few surprise dollars can make a real difference. No holiday surcharges or extra-person fees: the same hours bring the same invoice every week. Mileage applies only when our caregiver drives your loved one in their own car.
No insurance. No hassle.
We're simple private pay, so there are no claims, pre-approvals, insurance paperwork or surprise denials. You get one clear, easy-to-read invoice, straight from the care actually given.
LEVEL 1
Companion Care
$35 / hour
For seniors who are mostly independent but need company and a helping hand.
- ✓ Companionship and activities
- ✓ Meal planning and preparation
- ✓ Light housekeeping and laundry
- ✓ Errands, shopping and rides
- ✓ Medication reminders
LEVEL 2
Personal Care
$37 / hour
For seniors who need hands-on help with daily living.
- ✓ Everything in Level 1
- ✓ Bathing, dressing and grooming
- ✓ Toileting and incontinence care
- ✓ Walking help and transfers
- ✓ Fall-prevention support
Level 3 · Most chosen
Advanced Care
$40 / hour
For more complex needs that call for extra skill and attention.
- ✓ Everything in Level 2
- ✓ Dementia and memory care support
- ✓ Wandering and sundowning support
- ✓ Heavy transfer and bed-bound care
- ✓ Hospital-to-home recovery help
Book any visit length you need, from a quick 1-hour check-in to a full day. Where many agencies require several hours per visit, our minimum is just 1 hour, and longer visits are billed by actual time. Your level rate stays the same for every hour.
Around-the-clock care
24-hour coverage with rested, alert caregivers
Instead of one exhausted caregiver trying to stay up all day and night, we cover every 24 hours with shifts that keep caregivers fresh. Choose two caregivers on 12-hour shifts or three caregivers on 8-hour shifts. Either way, your loved one always has someone awake, alert and at their best, and our caregivers get the rest they need to give great care.
- ✓ A small, dedicated group of caregivers who knows your loved one
- ✓ Awake overnight, not just on call
- ✓ Hand-off notes at every shift change
- ✓ Trained backups for every shift, so care never stops
Option 1 · Two 12-hour shifts
Option 2 · Three 8-hour shifts
Your same level rate for every hour, around the clock
When you need us fast
On-call and urgent visits are available
Life doesn't always run on a schedule. Coming home from the hospital, a family caregiver who suddenly can't make it, a fall scare or a rough night: call us and we'll get a familiar caregiver to your door as quickly as we can, often the same day.
Emergency or short-notice care: your level rate + $20 / hour. Apart from mileage on rides in a caregiver's car, this is our only extra charge. Rides never carry a rush fee: even on short notice, a ride is your level rate plus mileage.
We provide non-medical care. For a medical emergency, always call 911 first.
Rides & errands
Appointments, errands and outings, with a caregiver at their side
Our caregivers don't just drop off at the curb. They help your loved one out the door, drive to the appointment, wait, take notes for the family, and help them settle back in at home.
Already a Guiding Sidekicks client?
Add a ride to any visit. Driving and waiting time are billed at your care level rate.
- ✓ In your car: no extra charge
- ✓ In our caregiver's car: 76¢ per mile (the IRS rate)
- ✓ Parking and tolls at cost, receipt included
Looking for a caregiver who drives?
Our Caregiver-Driver plan pairs you with a vetted caregiver for rides and errands, at your level rate with a 1-hour minimum.
- ✓ Sidekick Rides Pass: $260 for 8 hours a month ($32.50 / hour)
- ✓ Mileage at 76¢ per mile (the IRS rate) in our caregiver's car
- ✓ Every ride with someone you already know
Need a ride on short notice? Call us. We'll fit it in whenever we can, at your regular rate with no rush fee.
We set your care level together at your free in-home visit. Your rate stays the same every visit after that.
Easy online payments
Pay your invoice in a minute.
Pay by Zelle today using the amount and invoice number from your invoice. Card payments are coming soon.
Card · Coming soon
Credit or debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay through secure Stripe checkout, with an emailed receipt. Starting soon.
Zelle
Send to John Martinez at (805) 640-5651. Please put your invoice number in the memo.
Card payments coming soon
Questions about a bill? Call your local contact.
Let's talk about your family
No pressure, no contracts to sign on the first call. Just a conversation about what would help.
