What Does Companion Care Really Mean?

According to one survey, nearly 90% of older adults say that they would prefer to age in place at home, for as long as possible. At the same time, research has shown that roughly 70 percent of American seniors can expect to use some form of long-term care during their lives – and that nearly a quarter of all seniors say they feel lonely or isolated at least some of the time. 

Companion care is a way to address the challenges and changes that come with aging, allowing older adults to remain at home while getting the personalized attention and support they need on two fronts. 

On the one hand, companion care can help older adults get practical help with everyday non-medical activities, like attending appointments, running errands, tending to housekeeping, preparing meals, exercising, grooming, bathing, and performing other activities of daily living (ADLs). On the other side of the coin, companion care also focuses on providing older adults with emotional support and friendship. For seniors, a companion can be a friend and confidant, helping them to nurture meaningful relationships and remain connected to their community. In addition to providing daily support, a companion is a friendly face who can join a senior to play games, share meals, swap stories, take a walk around the block, or simply sit and enjoy time together. 

In a nutshell, that’s what companion care is – but for millions of seniors around the country, having a reliable, trustworthy senior companion means so much more than that. 

On a day to day level, companion care is about getting seniors the practical help and emotional support they need to truly thrive. 

For seniors, companion care means more freedom, more laughs, more nutritious meals, more adventures, more living life to the fullest. It’s a proven path to better health and greater longevity, at a fraction of the cost of institutionalized long-term care options. It is flexible, convenient, and empowering, letting seniors make their own choices and enjoy life from the comfort and safety of home. 

Companion care is about getting seniors – and their loving family members – the assistance and connections they need. Companion care really means… 

More Opportunities to Be Social

For older adults, maintaining relationships is one of the keys to better health and longevity. In fact, studies have shown that seniors who maintain their social connections are healthier and happier – and experience less chronic illness, less anxiety and depression, better cognitive health, and superior mobility. 

For seniors, companion care means never having to feel like you’re all alone. 

A companion can be there to provide meaningful conversation and friendship, from as little as a few hours a week to as much as 24 hours a day. Companions can also make it easier for seniors to host friends and family at home, or go out into the community to attend religious services, group meet-ups, or local events in the neighborhood. 

Greater Independence

It can be frightening and frustrating to uproot from your home and move into an unfamiliar care setting. For many older adults, this transition feels like it’s designed to take away their independence. Aging in place is a way for older adults to remain active, self-sufficient, and independent – and companion care is a way for them to do this safely, securely, and with the support they need to enjoy life to the fullest. 

A companion can empower seniors to pursue their goals and wishes, stay sharp, and enjoy the activities that bring them fulfillment and comfort. 

A Safer Household

According to research, seniors are involved in more than 2 million at-home accidents every year. Nearly a third of all older adults suffer a fall each year, and 70% of those falls happen at home. In many cases, these incidents can be prevented. A senior companion can help older adults keep their spaces organized and tidy, to help reduce risks and promote a safer living environment. Meanwhile, a companion can provide assistance with routine ADLs, like sitting and standing, moving from room to room, and using the restroom. A companion can also provide support to seniors during and after a hospital stay, and provide regular reports and updates to concerned family caregivers. 

A More Active and Enriched Lifestyle

Life is about the little moments – and a senior companion can help make sure that older adults get the chance to enjoy every single one! 

A companion can help provide reliable driving services, so seniors never have to worry about being housebound and missing family reunions, fitness classes, doctor’s appointments, or community events. Companions can also help seniors go on outings and adventures, like taking a day trip to a local botanical garden or a nearby beach. During quiet days at home, a companion can help ensure that seniors are able to play games, enjoy nutritious meals, listen to their favorite music, and commit to healthy habits – so every day is made up of wonderful moments that will be treasured and remembered forever. 

More Peace of Mind for Family Caregivers

For family caregivers, taking care of senior loved ones is a profound act of love and devotion – but it can also be a lot to tackle alone, particularly for the millions of caregivers who have kids of their own, or live in a separate state from their elderly family. As a caregiver, it’s important to carve out time for yourself, so you can focus on recharging your batteries, taking care of your own health and well-being, and getting the chance to rest. Companion care is sometimes called “respite care,” for just this reason – because it gives family members a well-deserved opportunity to take a breather, and come back to caregiving with clear eyes and more energy down the road. 

Companions for Seniors Is Here to Help

At Companions for Seniors, our mission is to help seniors live independently and with dignity in the safety of their own home. We’re locally owned in the Chicago area, with clients in the city and suburbs.

Our companions are trained and bonded, and can help provide a variety of services designed to help your loved one remain in the comfort of their own home, while ensuring that their needs are met. Our companions are available on a full- or part-time basis, and can offer driving services in the comfort of a company car.

Our services are flexible, convenient, and it’s easy to get started. Companions for Seniors provides a free in-home assessment of your senior family’s current situation, and in most cases we can be up and running in just a few days. 

We understand that every situation is unique, so we provide a personalized care plan that’s modified to meet each client’s specific needs. As a client’s situation changes, so does our plan of care.

Do you have a senior loved one who could benefit from some extra help around the house – or even a little bit of company and companionship? Have any more questions about senior care? We’d love to help out in any way we can! Don’t hesitate to reach out online today to get the conversation started, or give us a call at 866-910-9020.