The Perks of Hiring a Companionship Care Professional for the Elderly
Are you wondering what assistance to provide for your senior loved ones? Not sure what kind of help to bet on? Are you looking for professional help for seniors in your life? Find out what companion care for the elderly is. Learn about the key benefits of employing an elderly companion and how such assistance can help combat the feelings of isolation and loneliness that so often affect seniors. We have a wealth of important information for you, so without further ado, let’s dive into this.
Companionship care for the elderly – what is it?
Companion care for the elderly is a form of home care including the provision of non-medical services to ailing or disabled seniors. Companion care differs from personal medical care only in that personal care assistants and home health aides, in addition to providing the services included in companionship care, also include cooking, bathing, dressing and medication management services, depending on the person’s specific requirements. However, the main purpose of companionship care is primarily to provide emotional support, social engagement, entertainment and socialisation.
What can an elderly companion do in addition to mental support?
The primary duty of an elderly companion is mental support, but their services may also include:
- Housekeeping duties, such as washing clothes and dishes,
- Running errands, such as grocery shopping and cleaning,
- Planning and scheduling appointments and social and developmental activities,
- Carrying out transport to appointments, medical appointments and other activities
- Preparing balanced meals for the seniors,
- Providing entertainment ideas and socialising,
- Communicating with family members, doctors, etc.
Loneliness in the elderly and companionship care
With seniors ceasing to work and withdrawing from social life, their loved ones often passing away or moving to care homes, and older people often having less strength and problems with health and mobility, the elderly and retired are particularly susceptible to prolonged feelings of loneliness. This, in turn, can lead to apathy, general mental deterioration, depression and even suicide. All of these problems are very widespread among older people.
Live-in companionship care can be a very good way out of this situation. By hiring such a professional, in addition to ensuring that the senior enjoys good health and has all his or her basic needs taken care of, you also offer him or her a person with whom he or she will establish a genuine relationship. Live-in companions are not just home help or a nurse, but comprehensive mental and physical support. With such services, a senior close to you will have someone to talk to and someone who will listen to them. A relationship close to friendship is often formed between the elderly companion and the guests.
Main benefits of hiring a companionship professional for an elderly
Below you will find the most significant advantages and benefits of hiring a companionship home care professional for your parents and elderly relatives.
Quality companionship
Companions provide many beneficial services that make life easier for older people, but by far the most important is the provision of quality companionship. This is particularly significant for seniors who live alone and have difficulty getting around. Older people living alone often experience feelings of loneliness and isolation, leading to apathy, depression and general dissatisfaction with life.
The answer to this problem is to employ live-in companions who engage seniors in conversation, go on walks with their mentees, play board games and provide access to developmental and socialisation activities.
Reliable transportation
Companionship home care professionals can also provide proven transportation for seniors. An Elderly companion can drive the senior to activities, medical and therapy appointments and other activities, the companions will help them stay active and engaged in the community and keep them safe through this. This is an invaluable aid and a breath of relief for seniors’ loved ones.
Housekeeping support
Elderly and disabled people often also struggle to get around their own homes. Often their physical abilities make it difficult to carry out daily tasks such as cooking, washing dishes or laundry. Companionship home care professionals relieve their residents of the burden of daily housekeeping duties, resulting in a higher quality of life and health.
Health monitoring
Companionship home care professionals also monitor the health of their residents. A professional elderly companion will remind the senior about taking medication, visiting specialists, as well as monitoring the elderly person’s general health and reacting if it deteriorates. This is the ultimate safeguard for your loved ones.
Companionship care for the elderly – conclusions
In summary, the provision of companionship care for the elderly is the best way to ensure the safety of loved ones, a means of transport and assistance with daily chores. However, the biggest advantage of employing an elderly companion is psychological support. This ensures that your loved one does not feel socially isolated and lonely. It is, therefore, the best option to help you and your family.