Many seniors receive home companion services from family and friends. Others find these services through agencies like Visiting Angels.
Agencies typically conduct background checks on employees as part of employee screening and payroll services, and may provide backup care if their scheduled caregiver becomes sick or cannot work as scheduled.
Religious houses, retirement communities and community service organizations may offer senior home companion services. Their caregivers may or may not be licensed but may undergo background checks before becoming available to care for seniors at home.
Socialization
Home companion services provide much-needed companionship for seniors living alone or who don’t have family nearby, helping prevent loneliness and depression while simultaneously keeping the brain active and healthy, decreasing dementia risks such as Alzheimer’s.
When seeking out home companions to assist an aging loved one, seeking referrals from people you trust is always beneficial. Whether they utilized an agency companion service or hired their own, these people can give an honest account of how each individual performed.
Other options for volunteering could include checking with local programs like AmeriCorps Senior Companion Program. Volunteers in this program provide frail elders assistance at area adult day programs and in their homes; qualifying volunteers receive an hourly non-taxable stipend. You could also reach out to community services and social workers to see if there are programs in your area.
Transportation
Engaging and including elderly loved ones in their community can improve mental and emotional health while alleviating feelings of isolation or loneliness. Reliable transportation options exist that can support this effort.
Local senior and social service centers typically arrange group trips for seniors to places like grocery stores, libraries and medical facilities. They may also provide public transit instruction programs so seniors can practice using public transit systems with the guidance of an instructor until they feel more at ease using them on their own.
Private ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft provide door-through-door service at a competitive rate, picking up and dropping off riders within minutes depending on where you live. There are also concierge services such as GoGoGrandparent that specialize in providing on-demand ride services for seniors – typically at slightly more cost than ride-hailing services themselves.
Meal Preparation
Healthy and nutritious meals are an integral component of senior home care services, with caregivers creating meals tailored specifically to senior preferences, nutritional requirements, and any dietary restrictions they have.
Some seniors rely on meal delivery services, but those meals often don’t taste as fresh and tasty as home-cooked meals from a caregiver. A caregiver will prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks throughout the day so as to ensure seniors remain well nourished throughout their day.
Meal preparation assistance can take many forms. From simply helping your senior with their grocery shopping to planning and cooking a full meal from scratch. A home care agency will evaluate their medical needs and dietary restrictions to assess what level of assistance is required before assigning a caregiver that matches this need – helping keep their senior safe, healthy, and happy.
Housekeeping
Home companion services provide valuable assistance for elderly loved ones needing help with housekeeping tasks. A caregiver can perform routine vacuuming, sweeping and mopping of floors; dusting; cleaning sinks and appliances; taking out trash; folding laundry; straightening rooms. Some services even offer shopping/errand assistance or meal delivery or prescription pickup.
Companion services should be an integral component of your loved one’s overall healthcare plan. Loneliness can be a serious risk for seniors, and an in-home caregiver can provide much-needed socialization as well as the physical assistance required to stay safe and comfortable at home.
Find a qualified home companion by asking friends and family for recommendations or consulting the local directory. Agencies usually conduct background checks on applicants to ensure they are caring, respectful, dependable, punctual and punctual; additionally it would be prudent to request work references as well as conduct your own background check on them – the cost may depend on what kind of assistance is needed by your loved one.