In Marin, many older adults have spent decades walking the same trails and meeting friends at the same cafés. When driving gets harder or a spouse needs more care, the world can shrink to the house and the view from the deck. Since 2009, we've matched thousands of older adults with companions who share their interests: birdwatching, art, books, music, politics or a long walk with a good conversation.
We provide companionship, not home care. Our Activity Specialists don't help with bathing, dressing or medications. Many of our clients already have a caregiver at home, and we add the conversation and outings that caregivers rarely have time for. For a spouse who is doing the caregiving, a few hours a week can also be a real break. Ben Lewis, our founder, meets every family himself and is in Marin often.
Where we visit in Marin County
We visit people at home, in assisted living and memory care, and in board-and-care homes in Sausalito, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Belvedere, Corte Madera, Larkspur, Kentfield, Ross, San Anselmo, Fairfax, San Rafael and Novato.
Whether someone lives in the house they've owned for fifty years or has just moved into a senior community, we can visit them where they live or take them out.
Marin outings our companions love
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Point Reyes and Tomales Bay: a slow drive west for the light on the water and lunch with a view.
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Marin County Civic Center: the Frank Lloyd Wright building, the lagoon and the Sunday farmers market.
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Mill Valley Library: a reading room among the redwoods, with a café nearby.
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Las Gallinas ponds: an easy, flat loop in San Rafael with herons, egrets and plenty of ducks.
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Bay Model Visitor Center: a Sausalito favorite for anyone who loves maps, boats or how things work.
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Downtown in Marin: Bridgeway in Sausalito, Fourth Street in San Rafael or Grant Avenue in Novato, where the best outing is often their usual order and a good conversation.
A Marin story
Ruth, 82, Mill Valley. Ruth taught art history for thirty years and walked the Dipsea steps until her knees said no. After her husband moved into memory care, she stopped going out, and her son in Portland noticed she had stopped mentioning anything she'd seen or read. We matched her with a painter who teaches studio classes. Their first visit was tea and a stack of exhibition catalogs at Ruth's kitchen table. Now they spend Tuesday mornings sketching by the Civic Center lagoon, and Ruth critiques everyone's work, including her own.
This is a composite story drawn from our work. Names and details have been changed to protect privacy.
What Marin families say
“The time my wife spends with his highly qualified team has provided me with a much needed respite from my caregiving duties. Ben clearly cares about both the person suffering from dementia as well as the caregiver.”
Stephen M. / San Rafael
“After about a year of outings, my wife loves that companion as a dear friend, almost a sister. They go out for weekly adventures tailored to my wife's likes and abilities. She returns elated.”
David B. / Sausalito
Rated 5.0 stars on Google and Yelp by more than 50 families and professionals.
How it works
It starts with a free call with Ben, our founder. He then visits for an in-home assessment to learn the person's story, humor and interests, chooses an Activity Specialist, and makes the first introduction himself. Visits are usually once or twice a week, for two hours or more.
A note after every visit
After each visit you get a short note about what they did, what they talked about and how the person seemed. Any change in mood, health or safety is reported the same day. For families who live farther away, these notes are often how they stay close.
Who our Activity Specialists are
Educators, graduate students, artists, musicians and retired professionals. Each one is interviewed in person by Ben, reference-checked and background-checked. They are employees of Engage As You Age, insured, bonded and trained by our staff.
Common Questions
Which Marin towns do you serve?
Sausalito to Novato, including Mill Valley, Tiburon, Corte Madera, Larkspur, Kentfield, San Anselmo, Fairfax and San Rafael.
Can a companion drive my father to outings?
Yes. Outings by car or on foot are planned around what he enjoys and how far he can comfortably go.
My mother lives in a senior community in Marin. Can you visit her there?
Yes. We visit people in assisted living, memory care and board-and-care homes throughout Marin County, and we often take them out for a change of scene.
Will Ben meet us in person?
Yes. Ben meets every family himself, at home or over coffee, and he's in Marin often.
Is this home care?
No. Our Activity Specialists don't help with bathing, dressing or medications. They focus on conversation, activities and getting out into the world, alongside any care already in place.
What People Say About Us
“Ben and his team are masters in connecting a senior with a companion who shares their interests and values. I have seen magic connections for many of the people in my care who have brought Ben and his team in for support. Can’t recommend their services strongly enough!”
Dr. Catherine Madison / Neurologist, San Francisco
“As her trustee and POA, I’ve been overseeing her housing and care in a memory care community … Ben has been able to match my friend with the perfect companions, and has been wonderful in communicating any observations or concerns, or just fun adventures, often with photos.”
Doug M. / Trustee