Free Consultation - Call: 239-590-0861
Free Consultation - Call: 239-590-0861
Proudly serving families in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Bonita Springs, and surrounding Southwest Florida communities.
A private sitter gives an elderly person one thing that’s hard to find anywhere else: someone whose entire attention belongs to them. Since 1997, Abby Services has helped Southwest Florida families find screened, experienced private sitters — in homes, hospitals, rehab facilities, and anywhere else a loved one needs a watchful, friendly presence.
Private sitters provide companionship and safety oversight for seniors who shouldn’t be alone but don’t necessarily need hands-on medical care. That can look like conversation and activities, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, help getting to appointments, and — above all — a second set of eyes. As mobility issues, memory loss, or chronic conditions make full independence harder, a sitter bridges the gap between doing everything alone and needing full-time care.
For families, the value is often as much about peace of mind as practical help. You can’t be there around the clock. A good sitter means someone is.
Here’s something many families don’t realize: private sitters aren’t just for the home. Hospitals and nursing facilities sometimes require — or families simply want — a dedicated sitter to stay with an elderly patient, often because of fall risk, confusion, or wandering concerns. Facility staff are stretched across many patients; a private sitter is there for one.
Many of the sitters we refer have experience in settings like Lee Health facilities throughout Fort Myers and Cape Coral, rehab centers during recovery, nursing facilities, and even dialysis sessions. Our philosophy is simple: we help wherever home is at the moment — whether that’s a house in Cape Coral or a hospital room at HealthPark. Sitter support also pairs naturally with hospital and rehab discharge transitions, when an extra set of hands and eyes matters most.
The terms overlap, and that’s okay. “Sitter” and “companion” generally describe supervision, company, and light household help — what our companion care page covers. When your loved one needs hands-on assistance with bathing, dressing, transfers, or toileting, that’s personal care, provided by caregivers with the appropriate credentials. Many families start with a sitter and add hands-on support as needs change. If you’re not sure which fits, that’s a normal place to be — our RN is available to help you identify the type of support your loved one needs, and you decide what to request.
Abby Services is a Florida-licensed nurse registry. We don’t employ sitters — we refer independent, self-employed sitters and caregivers who have passed Level 2 background screening and meet Florida’s state requirements. We identify sitters based on the criteria you provide, you set the schedule and direct the services, and you can request a replacement at any time, which keeps arrangements flexible: hourly visits, overnight shifts, or around-the-clock coverage for higher-need situations.
Scheduled services can be cancelled or modified with 24 hours’ notice, and there’s no long-term commitment — the details are in plain English in our guide to in-home care contracts and cancellation. Because sitters are independent and set their own rates, families often find this one of the most affordable ways to arrange one-on-one attention.
We’ve been matching local families with caregivers and sitters since 1997 — we know the area because we live here. When you call, we learn about your loved one’s needs, personality, schedule, and budget, then identify sitters from our registry who could be a good fit. If the first match isn’t quite right, we keep looking; in our experience, you don’t marry the first person you go on a date with.
Start your search here or call us at 239-590-0861 to talk through your situation — whether you need a sitter for a hospital stay next week or ongoing companionship at home.
A private sitter provides one-on-one supervision, companionship, and light assistance for a senior who shouldn’t be left alone — at home, in a hospital, or in a care facility. Sitters focus on safety and company rather than hands-on medical care.
Yes. Families often arrange private sitters for hospital or rehab stays, especially when a patient is a fall risk or experiences confusion. Facility staff cover many patients at once; a private sitter is dedicated to yours. Many sitters referred by Abby Services have experience in local hospitals, rehab centers, and nursing facilities.
Often within about 24 hours. In our experience, the biggest delay isn’t finding a sitter — it’s paperwork. Families who promptly review the client agreement and complete payment information can usually get support in place quickly, which matters when a hospital stay or discharge is already underway.
Scheduled services can be cancelled or modified with at least 24 hours’ notice. There’s no long-term contract, so families can adjust as needs change — adding hours during a rough stretch or scaling back when things stabilize.
A sitter or companion provides supervision, company, and light household help. A caregiver providing personal care assists hands-on with bathing, dressing, transfers, and similar needs, and holds the appropriate credentials. Abby Services can refer both, and many families transition from one to the other as needs evolve.
