Just How Will ‘Companion Care’ Benefit Your Aging Loved One?

When someone mentions “caregiving,” you most likely think first of medical and personal assistance, and very likely in a senior housing facility of some kind.  However, the reality is that caregiving does not always equate to nursing care…or a nursing home.  For many aging adults, simply having a companion come to their home for a few hours each day or over a week is all that’s required to maintain a comfortable level of independence – at home.

For circumstances like these, professional companion care can help – and can be a much more cost-effective alternative to moving into an independent or assisted living senior facility.  The helpful service on in-home companion care places a caregiver with your loved ones so they can enjoy life with a little extra help around the house or even out and about.

Here are just some of the ways companion care can help your loved ones:

Improved Wellbeing: As adults age and retire, staying socially active becomes more difficult, often leading to diminished emotional health. Research has shown that seniors who maintain interpersonal interactions tend to have lower blood pressure and improved mental health. Having a companion can also help reduce the risk for cardiovascular problems, some cancers, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s and rheumatoid arthritis.

Greater Medication Adherence: More than half of American individuals 65-years-old and older regularly take at least five different prescriptions, yet 57 percent often forget to take their medication. This disconnect with medication adherence is costing the U.S. healthcare system billions of dollars and leading to unnecessary hospitalizations. With companion care services, caregivers are available to help seniors understand the importance of medication adherence, remind them to take their prescriptions as directed and have them refilled as prescribed.

Help Inside and Out: For many seniors, keeping their home clean, their laundry sorted and their pantry stocked can be difficult. Companion care aids those in need with many of the daily errands we often take for granted.

Exercise and Entertainment: Lacking the motivation to get up and get moving isn’t a senior-only trait – it’s something almost every American can relate to. With companion care, your loved ones will get the support they need to get up and be active, whether it’s a walk in the park or a friendly game of Scrabble.

Caregiving is not always of a clinical nature. Companion care can create a culture of care and a personal connection to help your aging loved ones be happier and healthier. To find out more about what companion care can do for your family, contact FirstLight Home Care – South Sound today.