Where can I find a service that would provide someone that would visit an elderly loved on for an hour or two a day?

I think it's a great idea, and I've been thinking about this myself. Let me give you a different slant. Maybe it's not always the elderly person who would pay you but, rather, the adult children who live out of town or can't always be there because of their own family/work commitments. You could even write letters/make appointments with pastors of area churches - they might be plugged in about who needs this type of help. I live halfway across the country from my parents and if my brother and sister weren't in their area, I'd gladly pay for ad hoc-type help for them if I could find someone nice and trustworthy.

I think your heart is in the right place. Most of the private caregiving companies in my area do provide companionship services in addition to regular caregiving. You may want to look in the phone book under senior services etc. They pay fairly well.
Unfortunately, most seniors cannot afford someone who just comes to visit so you may want to consider expanding your services a bit to include some caregiving as well.
Good luck.

Rayof I still think your idea is great you would be giving what elders need someone just to visit with instead of a caregiver who is in a hurry to get : their job done: to get on to the next person-my husband loved to talk about his past and his family that had a lot to do with the circus and if you were in this area and he was still here on earth I would have hired you in a heart beat-have you asked NH's if you could ask some family members if you could provide this service people pay someone to do their hair in a NH why not visiting I do think in the begining the cost should be low-but once you get known you will be so busy by word of mouth some people are sitters for pts. but they usually just sit and do not converse. When I was working I use to love asking older pts. what kind of work they did and I learned so much one lady had been a singer in the USO I was always telling other nurses interesting things about the pts. my charge nurse said how you you know all this stuff -I said I talk to them when I give them a bed bath-I started this after I read a former pts. obit and he had had such an amazing life which I had not knows. You might call your office of the ageing and present your idea-I think you invented the wheel I am to write on your wall.

Pamela, I agree they are much too serious, but costumes and makeup often frighten individuals with dementia.

I'm 53 yrs old, a little (OK maybe a lot) older than you. You gave me an idea that I had a long long time ago of entertainment.

Have you ever thought of "CLOWNING" I mean a real clown like Chucko, or Bozo? Do you even remember them, if not google those two.

Seems to me our elders need to be made to laugh more than anything to make them forget that they are not what they use to be. What better gift can you give other than the gift of laughter.

Just my thought.

Thank you for the responses. I appreciate the feedback. Although I can understand the desire to have a paid nurse for those elderly that need that kind of constant medical attention, I also try to put myself in their shoes and think would I want just another medical person to keep me company when they probably visit the doctors office on a regular basis and would like to talk about something different than their illness or what medications they should be taking. I have many friends in the nursing field and as compassionate as they are they do not go the extra mile to remember their clients birthdays or cheer them up with a little gift made from the heart. They are too caught up in making sure they do everything by the book rather than spend that time chatting it up and engaging in warm conversation.
I also understand the money concern also. I am not looking to open a business just to rake in the dough of some defenseless person. I make $20 dollars a day right now and just look for something to cover my gas and make a little extra so I can quit a job that isn't flexible with staying home with my daughter. I believe that people spend money on way more extravagant purchases than that such as fast food joints, name brand clothing, etc.
But aside from that thank you again 195Austin for your positive encouragement.

If there is a senior center near you I would go in and tell the director of you idea and if they have a bullitin board you could put a note up or at a post office. I think that is a great idea my husband would have loved someone to sit and visit with him and listen to the story of his life it would have made such a difference in his life and he would not have resented me when I went out to activities and had to have my cell phone out all the time-I wish you luck and hope it works out for you good for you it is really a great thing for you to do-what a blessing you will be to people- there are so many elders who will not go to adult day care or wish to make friends I have an 93 yr. old aunt who lives along and I know my family would pay for to have someone on a regular basis to visit and the stories she would tell.

Personally, I feel there are way too many situations out there where it can't be afforded. And if I'm paying someone to stay with my mom they need to be a licensed CNA or Caregiver. To ask for someone to just sit with her or "make new friends" I would just call one of the many local volunteer programs to have someone come over and spend some time with her.. for free..

But this is just in my area. If I were you, I would get in touch with the local office of aging and adult services to see what volunteer programs and paid programs are available to seniors in your area.