Meaningful companionship for your loved one. Greater peace of mind for you.
We personalize our companionship services to meet your loved one’s unique needs, offering attentive home support and meaningful engagement.
Consistent Faces
Familiar faces visiting weekly, create a bond, trust, and friendship for your loved one.
Family Updates
Regular post-visit updates so you are always aware of the routine and any important changes.
100% Family-Owned
Founded and actively operated right here in Waterloo Region by Andy McMurdo and her team.
Flexible Visits
Start comfortably with 1 or 2 visits per week. No rigid long-term lock-in.
When you love an aging parent, the hardest part is what happens between your visits?
We care for our clients as we would for our own family—matching your parent with the same trusted, familiar companion every week.
You may not need clinical nursing.
Most older adults do not require a medical caregiver. What changes everything is having a kind, reliable companion who visits regularly, shares genuine conversation, and helps around the house.
Warming up a reluctant parent.
Proud elders often resist the idea of having a 'caregiver.' We introduce ourselves as a friendly helper coming by for casual conversations, errands, or light housework, allowing trust to develop naturally.
A familiar face every single week.
We believe relationship continuity is everything. Your loved one is matched with the same trusted companion every visit and over time, that builds a familiar trust, bond, and friendship.
How can I catch my breath without feeling guilty?
Sandwich-generation caregivers carry immense guilt. Having dependable weekly companionship restores balance and lets you be a loving son or daughter that can just spend quality time.
Meaningful days at home. Active outings across Waterloo Region.
Every visit is tailored to what your loved one enjoys—blending genuine friendship with practical everyday assistance.
Comfort, Conversation & Nutrition
Unhurried, warm companionship right in your parent's familiar surroundings.
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Meaningful Conversation & Hobbies Sharing life stories, cards, puzzles, listening to music, reminiscing over photo albums, and reading aloud.
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Shared Cooking & Meal Preparation Chopping, baking family recipes together, enjoying lunch, and leaving hearty nutritious meals in the fridge.
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Light Household Tidying & Upkeep Washing dishes, folding laundry, making beds, watering houseplants, and keeping living spaces tidy and safe.
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Gardening & Patio Enjoyment Potting flowers, light weeding, enjoying afternoon tea on the back porch, and getting fresh sunshine.
Fresh Air, Errands & Independence
Safe, attentive accompaniment so your parent stays connected to the community they love.
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Neighbourhood Walks & Park Strolls Gentle, escorted walks through local parks, neighbourhood trails, or climate-controlled walking during winter.
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Grocery Shopping & Local Markets Browsing aisles together, choosing fresh produce, running errands, and picking up prescriptions.
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Medical & Appointment Accompaniment Calm, dependable escorting to dental, medical, or hair appointments so your parent never feels rushed or anxious.
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Social Outings, Coffee & Drives Heading out to a quiet cafe, visiting family friends, attending community events, or scenic countryside drives.
Personal, owner-led care.
Her Helping Hand was founded by Andy McMurdo, a Western University graduate and lifelong caregiver at heart.
Over 30 years ago, when her grandmother passed away, Andy moved in with her grandfather, 'Pops', to help around the house, prepare home-cooked meals, play gin rummy, and keep him company. That experience showed her the quiet power of relationship-first companionship - not clinical routines, but warmth, dignity, and real friendship.
Today, Andy personally conducts every initial family consultation, hand-selects every companion, and stays closely involved in every match across Waterloo Region.
Personal Fit
We learn your loved one's personality, life story, and routines before visits begin.
Face Continuity
We match your loved one with a consistent companion to build a genuine, lasting bond.
Family Updates
Agreed-upon post-visit check-ins keep families informed and reassured.
Reliable Care
Dependable schedules and proactive communication if times ever need to shift.
Trusted by families across Waterloo Region.
Read real stories from our clients.
“Since our father passed away, our mom began to withdraw and show signs of depression. We knew we couldn’t be with her all the time, so we sought out Andy and her team to help sit with Mom for conversation or anything else Mom may need. Mom has dementia and isn’t very welcoming of new people, so we warned Andy and hoped everything would go smoothly. Things went so well indeed that Mom smiles when she talks about that nice lady Andy, who listens to music with me and brings me a coffee. Andy's gentle personality makes it easy to see why people are comforted by her and love having her around. We are so thankful for Andy and her staff; it's such peace of mind knowing Mom is not lonely when Andy and her staff are with her, and we can feel good knowing she is looked after. If you are looking for companionship for your Mom, Dad, or spouse, you are in good hands with Andy’s team at Her Helping Hand.”
“We are a 90 and 85-year-old couple blessed with 6 children and 16 grandchildren, with many of us in the medical profession, mainly living in KW. We are so happy to be living in our home, but we recognized that we could use some help. Andy McMurdo started with a half day/week assisting us in so many ways. After getting to know Andy, we increased her time to 2 mornings a week. Andy is professional, very knowledgeable about the world and our community, knows how to manage a household, and is incredibly efficient. Andy knows how to "get things done" and is always so pleasant, full of life and willing to do anything we ask. She is a very capable, vibrant and engaging woman with an obvious passion for Seniors and our special needs. But the most outstanding attribute Andy possesses is her compassion. We look forward to every visit with Andy.”
“Andy and 'Her Helping Hand' are a gift! Compassion, skill, knowledge, and spirit are the cornerstones of her approach to supporting Mom, and by extension, our whole family. Mom adores Andy and enjoys every single moment that they spend together - shopping, chatting, lunching, playing cards, watching music videos…and that would be enough! However, she can always be found going the extra mile… switching up her schedule to take Mom to a special appointment, making short-notice doctor or lab visits, checking for signs of good eating, or passing on information and ideas about other and better ways to support Mom in her advancing dementia. Simply, Andy is family. We are so very grateful for the day a friend said, "Do you know about Her Helping Hand?"”
“Andy has been seeing my mother on a weekly basis for several months now. She is such a great asset to my mom and to my family. She gives my mom the socialization that she needs, as my mom doesn’t get out much and with our busy lives, we can’t get over to see her as often as we'd like to. Andy has hired people she trusts who have the same compassion and friendly demeanour - they truly enjoy spending time with seniors and making a difference in their lives. When Andy is not available, Marcia from Her Helping Hand spends time with Mom; Marcia is another great "Helping Hand". My mom is very appreciative and happy to see them when they visit – it lifts her spirits and breaks up her days just sitting around by herself. Andy and Marcia have made an impact on my mom’s life, and we are forever grateful for Her Helping Hand.”
Getting started in 5 simple steps.
We make the journey gentle, respectful, and low-pressure for both you and your loved one.
Complimentary Conversation
A relaxed, no-pressure phone call with Andy to discuss your family's situation, schedule preferences, and questions.
Understand the Person
We learn about your loved one's life story, hobbies, favourite foods, and personal preferences to ensure an exceptional companion fit.
Find the Right Match
Andy hand-selects a dedicated local companion with shared interests and complementary personality.
A Gentle First Visit
We introduce the companion over coffee or tea—focused entirely on comfort, dignity, and establishing an easy, natural connection.
Consistent Ongoing Care
Regular weekly visits from the same familiar companion, paired with post-visit updates sent to your family for ongoing peace of mind.
Clear answers to common questions.
Transparency is our foundation. If you have a specific question about your parent's routine, we are always here to talk.
Let's take a breath and figure this out together.
Whether you need two visits a week to give yourself respite, or daily companionship for a parent living alone in Waterloo Region, our team is here to help you navigate with warmth and compassion.
Are you looking to make a meaningful difference in your community?
Working at Her Helping Hand is rewarding, financially, and for your soul.
Flexible 3–15+ Hrs/Week
Visits arranged around your life—ideal for active retirees, mature adults, and nursing or social care students looking for purposeful part-time hours.
Consistent 1-on-1 Matches
Visit the same client family every single week. Build a genuine, lasting friendship rooted in dignity, patience, and warmth.
Owner-Led Care & Support
Direct personal guidance from Andy, competitive hourly compensation, zero clinical tasks, and deep appreciation for your compassion.
Apply to Become a Companion
Complete this quick questionnaire and your details will be delivered directly to Andy at: careers@herhelpinghand.com.