Loneliness is far too common for the elderly, affecting their mental and physical health. Many older adults who reside independently in their own homes may eventually have difficulty managing everyday household tasks. Nonetheless, the way to address the challenges and changes that come with aging is companion care, which allows them to remain at home while getting the personalized attention and support they need on two fronts.
In fact, research has shown roughly 70 percent of American seniors are expected to get some form of long-term care while living, and nearly a quarter of them show a feeling of loneliness and a sense of isolation at least some of the time. This is when companion care comes to the rescue as they help older adults with non-medical activities, running errands, like attending appointments, tending to housekeep, preparing meals, exercising, grooming, bathing, and performing other activities of daily living (ADLs).
Companion Care
Companion care may be in the form of a formal or informal basis. There are some older adults who have friends who stop by periodically for a friendly visit and help them manage household tasks. While other companion services are available on a formal, paid basis, offered through various local organizations or independent contractors.
Also, some organizations offer companion care as part of the overall care plan, while others can connect those looking for one with local agencies. The companions usually make regular visits, but the frequency of visits would depend on the care recipient’s unique needs.
Typically, the frequency of visits is weekly, but there are also thrice a week or even daily to help older adults with household chores, such as preparing meals, taking care of laundry, and doing other tasks for them. Schedules may also vary depending on appointments. If there are meetings scheduled outside of older adults’ typical visit hours, the companions may have to adjust their plans to accommodate these needs or make arrangements for other transportation.
What Are The Goals Of Companion Care?
Companion care’s primary goals are emotional support and socialization, although companions may help older adults with a variety of tasks, including:- Running errands such as grocery shopping
- Preparing meals
- Light housekeeping
- Transportation to appointments and other activities
- Planning and scheduling appointments and social activities
- Socialization and entertainment
- Washing clothes or dishes and other household chores
- Help in communicating with family members and other care team professionals, and more.
How Does Companion Care Work?
Why Are The Advantages Of Companion Care?
- Greater Independence – The role of companions here is to empower seniors to stay sharp, pursue their goals and wishes, enjoy the activities that bring them fulfillment and comfort as they become active, self-sufficient, and independent. That said, companion care can safely and securely support them as they enjoy life to the fullest.
- More Opportunities to Be Social – Social connections make seniors live healthier and happier based on research. In addition, they may experience less chronic illness, less anxiety and depression, better cognitive health, and superior mobility.
- A Safer Household – According to research, more than 2 million at-home accidents every year involve seniors. In fact, older adults suffer a fall each year, and this 70% of them usually happens at home based on a study hence companion care can prevent this from happening.
- A More Active and Enriched Lifestyle – A companion can help ensure that seniors play games, enjoy nutritious meals, listen to their favorite music, and commit to healthy habits during quiet days at home. So every day is made up of beautiful moments that will be treasured and remembered forever, including adventures like short trips to a botanical garden or beach.
- More Peace of Mind for Family Caregivers – Caring for senior loved ones is a profound act of love and devotion for family caregivers. Like millions of caregivers who have kids of their own or live in a separate state from their elderly family, companion care could be much of help. As a caregiver, it’s essential to have a vacation on their own to focus on their families and selves for their physical and emotional health.
What Are Types of Companion Care?
- Live-in companion care – This is usually provided by a home care service, which one or more persons with 24-hour shifts. It is ideal for keeping a senior in their home as long as possible and usually involves many kinds of services, such as house cleaning, meal preparation, bathing, grooming, and transportation to appointments, especially for older adults.
- In-home companion care – It typically involves shorter visits with specific goals such as meal prep, bathing assistance, transportation to an appointment, or grocery shopping. Well-person checks also occur when friends, family, or other community members stop in regularly. Nonetheless, this type of support can come from a local church, neighbors, or a paid service.
- Companion hospice care – These are volunteers who stop by to visit and to help. They may run errands for the seniors or help them to appointments. Also, the Hospice provides Home Health Aids for personal needs and respite visits, with a dynamic organization and other senior companions that may include social workers, clergy, and nurses.
- Religious-based companion care- Most often, they are available through many religious groups, such as Christian companion care Catholic companion care, to name a few. If the senior has been part of a religious community, begin the search within that group. Familiar faces make great companions, and most of the time, religious groups are happy to help, and many non–denominational religious groups are also available.
Some of the benefits of using Vitality Home Health’s transportation services:
Gives Your Loved Ones A Renewed Sense Of Freedom.
More Trust & Dependability.
Respite For Family Caregivers.
Improved Emotional Health.
Gives Your Loved Ones A Renewed Sense Of Freedom.
When you can no longer walk or drive, it might feel as though you’re trapped in your own home. Even a short journey to the corner shop becomes difficult, and your world is restricted to just a few rooms. Senior transportation providers allow older adults to reclaim their freedom and sense of independence after they’ve lost it.
More Trust & Dependability.
Alternatives to senior transportation services are often unreliable or cause anxiety. When your loved one needs it, a dependable and qualified senior transportation service will be available to them, run by specialists who understand your needs.
Respite For Family Caregivers.
The responsibilities of driving can fall on the shoulders of a family when an elderly loved one can no longer drive on their own or travel. Family caregivers may be affected in a variety of ways, and can have a negative influence on their job, family life, and social life. You won’t have to worry about these problems if you hire Vitality Home Health’s professional senior transportation service.
Improved Emotional Health.
Senior transportation services can assist elders in
participating in favorite hobbies and activities, experiencing life outside of
their homes, and spending more time with their families. These activities
improve the emotional well-being of older people, making them happier and
healthier than if they were confined at home.
The Bottom Line
Companion care can enable seniors to remain more independent and keep them from going to that next more costly step: assisted living or a nursing home facility. If a loved one wants to age at home or in place, a companion care service is the best way to enable them to remain independent in their own home or a place they prefer. Vitality Home Health’s companion care is like having your own personal assistant, and you can trust that their companions will spend time with your loved ones and provide them with the assistance they require.
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