There are countless benefits that seniors can gain by establishing solid age-in-place plans. Choosing to greet the challenges of the golden years at home, in familiar surroundings, and with the help and support of any loved ones who live nearby often allows for significantly higher life qualities overall. Seniors don't have to pay the high costs of staying in long-term live-in facilities, and they can retain more of their autonomy and independence. Best of all, they can also take advantage of a broad range of home care services. Home care is designed to be flexible and adaptable enough to meet varying levels of need. From transportation assistance and housework help to meal preparation and medication management, professional caregivers can streamline their support to optimally suit each client. However, when establishing age-in-place plans, elderly adults and their families should never overlook the need for companionship care. Working with home care companies that supply senior companionship care is one of the easiest ways to avoid problems with senior isolation.
What Senior Isolation Is and Why It Matters
Many seniors spend extended periods of time living in isolation. This is one of the greatest risks of aging in place when seniors don't have a lot of family nearby, and when they're no longer able to drive themselves to visit with relatives or friends. Although elderly people can stay connected with others by using the Internet, web chats and emails cannot replace the benefits of traditional, in-person interactions. Seniors who are socially isolated for days or even weeks at a time tend to have high rates of depression, and they may suffer from depression-related health problems such as decreased immune functioning, insomnia, and fatigue. When isolation is prolonged, self-care, motivation, and even focus can decline. Social isolation is both psychologically and physically detrimental for seniors.
How Senior Companionship Care Works
Companion care helps age-in-place adults continue enjoying exciting, active, and robust social lives. It's perfect for seniors who can no longer drive themselves to the movies, to church, or on other outings. With companionship care, caregivers spend their time listening to their clients, sharing their thoughts and ideas, and engaging in interesting activities. Caregivers can also take their clients to the movies, out to breakfast, dinner, or lunch, or even to meet up with their friends. These services give aging adults something to look forward to, and they help seniors maintain a firm grasp on social boundaries, social skills, and good communication.
Choosing the Right Level of Senior Companionship for Individual Needs
Like all other home care services, senior companionship can be adapted to suit the needs of the individual. Some seniors are always in danger of spending too much time in isolation. Their relatives may be busy taking care of their families or going to work, or they may live far away. As people grow older, most find that many of their close friends are either housebound themselves, or that they've passed away. For homebound seniors, companionship care can involve playing games, watching television together, or engaging in group activities like making puzzles or scrapbooking. For seniors who are still able to get out, these services can be streamlined to perfectly accommodate the needs, preferences, and abilities. There are even moderate companionship care services that provide basic welfare checks. With these, caregivers can check in whenever aging adults have spent long periods of time alone. These are perfect for making sure that aging loved ones are comfortable and safe during times of extreme weather, power outages, and more.
With companionship care, seniors are never at risk of spending too much time on their own, or developing feelings of depression, loneliness, or hopelessness. As a home care worker, you'll have the opportunity to help people make the absolute most of their golden years. To find out how you can help aging adults within your community by providing senior companionship services, contact us today.