LoLo Care, a home care marketplace and coordination platform serving North Carolina's Triangle Region, has launched its Care Assistance Program, which provides non-medical home care at $23 per hour to approved applicants facing limited incomes or financial hardship. The program lowers LoLo Care's own fee, and participating local caregivers help make the reduced rate possible, according to the company.
The announcement matters because the median cost for a non-medical caregiver in North Carolina is $30 per hour, or $15,600 annually for 10 hours of weekly care, according to CareScout's cost of care data. For people on fixed incomes, even minimal assistance can strain a budget. LoLo Care's program aims to bridge that gap by offering a lower hourly rate for those who qualify.
The company's platform simplifies the application process, allowing families to apply effortlessly without needing a LoLo Care account. Whether applying for oneself or a loved one, there is no obligation to book care immediately. Each application is reviewed by a dedicated LoLo Care team member, typically within five business days.
"Many of the families we hear from need a few hours of help with meals or company, and the hourly price is what holds them back," said Charles Petrini-Poli, Co-Founder and CEO of LoLo Care. "We reduced our fee for this program so more people in our community can get that help at home."
At the program rate, a two-hour visit costs $46. Services include companionship, meal preparation, daily routines assistance, errands, rides, light housekeeping, and family caregiver support. Each family's circumstances stay private throughout the review.
The Care Assistance Program is available to approved applicants in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval, and care still depends on caregiver availability. Approval does not reserve a caregiver or confirm a booking. LoLo Care is currently only available to families in North Carolina.
Independent caregivers who join the program will receive a Community Care Partner badge on their LoLo Care profile, which they can share on social media. The badge recognizes a caregiver's part in making care more affordable in the local community. It reflects community involvement and is not a safety certification.
"The caregivers who take part are choosing to give some of their time back to the community they live in," said Thibaud Peverelli, Co-Founder & CTO of LoLo Care.
Families can apply at LoLo Care without needing an account or payment.
For HR vendors, the move signals a potential shift in how home care marketplaces compete: not just on technology or caregiver supply, but on affordability and community engagement. The program's badge system also introduces a reputational incentive for caregivers, which could influence recruitment and retention strategies in a sector where labor shortages are common. As more HR technology providers look to differentiate in the care benefits space, LoLo Care's model may serve as a test case for balancing low consumer prices with caregiver participation—a dynamic worth watching for vendors serving employers with caregiving workforces.
