Through illness, injury or other aspects of aging, some older adults become less socially and physically active over time. Resulting feelings of isolation can lead to increased mental and physical health risks, such as high blood pressure, obesity, anxiety, depression and cognitive decline, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Fortunately, companion care may be a helpful option for those faced with isolation or declining activity levels.
According to the Department of Labor, a companion is someone who provides care for an older adult or disabled younger person by providing “fellowship,” which means engaging them in social, physical or mental activities, and “protection,” which means monitoring their safety inside and outside of the home. While the companion may also assist the client with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as dressing or bathing, they spend most of their time keeping them company or making sure they’re safe in their home.
There’s no specific training or certification for companions, but individuals hired through home care agencies may receive first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. Home care agencies are generally regulated by the state, and there may be regulations specific to your locale regarding training. Additionally, some home care agencies may provide specialized training on topics like dementia. Family members or clients hiring independent companions can use their companions’ first shifts to make sure they know what’s expected of them, including the client’s routines and what to do in case of an emergency.
While a companion’s specific duties depend on their client’s individual preferences and needs, there are several tasks they might perform, including:
Live-in companion care is usually provided by a home care service. It involves 24-hour shifts by one or more person. This type of service is ideal for keeping a senior in their home as long as possible and usually involves many types of services from meal preparation and house cleaning to grooming, bathing, and transportation to appointments.
This type of service typically involves shorter visits with specific goals such as meal prep, assistance with bathing, or transportation to an appointment or for grocery shopping. There is also well-person checks that occur when friends, family, or other members of the community stop in on a regular basis. Such support can come from a local church, neighbors, or from a paid service.
Hospice provides companion care through a variety of means. A hospice has volunteers who stop by to visit and to help. A hospice volunteer might run errands for the senior or help them to appointments. Hospice also provides Home Health Aids for personal needs and respite visits. Hospice is a dynamic organization and other senior companions include social workers, clergy, and nurses.
which is often available through many religious groups such as Christian companion care, Catholic companion care, etc. If the senior has been part of a religious community, begin the search within that group. Familiar faces make great companions. If not, most religious groups are happy to help and many non-denominational religious groups are available too.
The biggest benefit of senior companionship is that it improves the quality of life of seniors. Companionship goes beyond just caregiving and is a symbiotic relationship that enables the senior to thrive. On a social level having friends and companions enables people to talk about challenges, express grief, and to find resources to solve problems. On a personal level, a quality companion is someone that the senior not only looks forward to visiting with, doing things with but also is someone on which they can rely. Older people worry about many of their challenges that for you and I might be very small such as going to the grocery store or transportation to and from doctors appointments. Companionship helps to remove the worry and burden, so that seniors can focus on living a quality life.
The impact of a senior companion for seniors is often a longer and healthier life with improved wellbeing. When we are alone, we suffer and are at higher risk of dementia and forgetfulness. There is a lack of ambition and it can be associated with depression and the loss of the will to live. The worst of all criminals are placed in isolation as a punishment. Companionship for the elderly is so important because it is the fuel that brings meaning back to their lives and with that comes the willingness to do more.
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