San Francisco can be a lonely place to grow older. Families are spread out, friends move away, and the hills and the fog make it easy to stay inside. Since 2009, we've matched thousands of older adults with companions who share their interests: opera, the Giants, painting, gardening or a good argument about politics.
We provide companionship, not home care. Our Activity Specialists don't help with bathing, dressing or medications. Many of our San Francisco clients already have a caregiver at home, and we add the conversation and outings that caregivers rarely have time for. Ben Lewis, our founder, lives in the city and meets every family himself.
Where we visit in San Francisco
We visit people at home, in assisted living and memory care, and in board-and-care homes in every neighborhood: the Richmond, the Sunset, West Portal, St. Francis Wood, Noe Valley, Glen Park, Bernal Heights, the Mission, Pacific Heights, the Marina, Russian Hill, Nob Hill and everywhere in between.
We can visit residents of any senior community in the city, including The Sequoias San Francisco, Coterie Cathedral Hill and The Ivy at Golden Gate.
San Francisco outings our companions love
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Golden Gate Park: the de Young, the Conservatory of Flowers and a slow loop of the Japanese Tea Garden, with a bench whenever it's needed.
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Legion of Honor and Lands End: an hour with the Rodin sculptures, then the view of the Golden Gate.
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Stern Grove: free summer concerts among the eucalyptus, and quiet walks in the grove the rest of the year.
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San Francisco Botanical Garden: level paths and plenty to talk about for anyone who used to garden.
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The Ferry Building: coffee, the Saturday farmers market and the ferries coming in along the Embarcadero.
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The neighborhood café: on West Portal, Clement Street or 24th Street, sometimes the best outing is their usual order and a good conversation.
A San Francisco story
Walter, 86, Inner Sunset. Walter rode the N Judah to work for forty years and hadn't been downtown since his wife died. His daughter in Seattle called us because he had stopped answering the phone. We matched him with a graduate student in urban planning who wanted to hear how the city used to be. Their first visit was coffee on Irving Street. Now they ride the N to a different stop every Thursday, and Walter does most of the talking.
This is a composite story drawn from our work. Names and details have been changed to protect privacy.
What San Francisco families say
“Engage As You Age has been like finding a diamond in a field of weeds. It’s given me such a feeling of relief. My mother feels so blessed to have someone interested in her. It’s a friendship.”
Carol S., San Francisco
“I was remote in Boston, while my mom lived in S.F. … I always felt Ben was a great pair of eyes that I could trust to share how she was feeling and acting.”
Dan K., son of a San Francisco client
Rated 5.0 stars on Google by 29 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 outside the city, 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
Do you visit every neighborhood in San Francisco?
Yes. We have Activity Specialists across the city, and there are no travel fees.
Can a companion take my father out on Muni or by car?
Yes. Outings by Muni, on foot or by car are planned around what he enjoys and how far he can comfortably go.
My mother lives in a senior community in the city. Can you visit her there?
Yes. We visit people in assisted living, memory care and board-and-care homes throughout San Francisco, and we often take them out for a change of scene.
We live out of state. How will we know how visits are going?
You'll get a short note after every visit, and Ben is your single point of contact. Many of our San Francisco families live elsewhere.
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