In Santa Clara County, many older adults helped build the valley as engineers, teachers, nurses and orchard families. When friends move away and driving gets harder, a sharp mind can go days without a real conversation. Since 2009, we've matched thousands of older adults with companions who share their interests: science, technology, history, music, chess or a good conversation about the news.
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. Ben Lewis, our founder, meets every family himself and is often on the Peninsula, happy to meet for coffee.
Where we visit in Santa Clara County
We visit people at home, in assisted living and memory care, and in board-and-care homes in Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Campbell and San Jose.
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.
South Bay outings our companions love
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Computer History Museum: a favorite in Mountain View for anyone who remembers punch cards, or helped invent what came next.
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Stanford: the Cantor Arts Center, the Rodin sculpture garden and a slow loop around the Main Quad.
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Hakone Gardens: the Japanese gardens in Saratoga, quiet and shaded.
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Shoreline Park and the Baylands: flat paths, open sky and plenty of birds.
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Los Gatos: a stroll along North Santa Cruz Avenue and a bench in Town Plaza Park.
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Downtown in the South Bay: University Avenue, Castro Street or Murphy Avenue, where the best outing is often their usual order and a good conversation.
A South Bay story
Ed, 87, Los Altos. Ed spent thirty years designing circuits and still read every technical journal he could find. After a mild stroke, he stopped driving and stopped going out, and his daughter in Chicago noticed he had started repeating the same few stories on their calls. We matched him with a graduate student in electrical engineering. Their first visit was coffee at Ed's dining room table, with old schematics spread out between the cups. Now they spend Friday afternoons at the Computer History Museum, and Ed has a new audience for every story.
This is a composite story drawn from our work. Names and details have been changed to protect privacy.
What families say
“My 87-year-old father has become more engaged with others in his assisted living community. It is wonderful to have someone come and listen to his stories with a fresh ear and perspective.”
Nancy R. / Palo Alto
“My concerns for my husband and Ben's responses to them are thoughtful, sensitive, nuanced. There is nothing on autopilot.”
Ilya K. / wife of a client
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 South Bay towns do you serve?
Palo Alto to San Jose, including Los Altos, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Los Gatos and Campbell.
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 the South Bay. Can you visit her there?
Yes. We visit people in assisted living, memory care and board-and-care homes throughout Santa Clara 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 often on the Peninsula.
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