Agencies offer client care plans, backup care if regular caregivers cannot work, employee screening and payroll processing as well as insurance and workers’ compensation coverage.
Companions can be an ideal solution for people feeling isolated due to family and friends living far away, providing help with cooking, laundry and housekeeping tasks.
Safety
Home companions can be hired directly, through an agency, or referral service; according to Karpilow, word-of-mouth referral from someone familiar with that specific home care agency may provide the best experience and assessment.
Reputable agencies conduct thorough background checks and have policies in place to address safety issues. Furthermore, they should have an established process for responding to incidents involving elderly theft.
Companion caregivers can offer individuals a sense of security and familiarity by providing daily interactions in their home, according to Miner. This can help reduce feelings of isolation or depression that are commonly experienced among those living with chronic health conditions, she notes.
An effective companion can also assist with housework and daily living activities, particularly for seniors living alone who cannot care for their own pets. Caregivers from a home care agency may walk a pet, clean the litter box or even prepare meals for any family dogs or cats in need.
Emotional support
In-home care companions provide both socialization and emotional support for elderly residents while acting as respite care for family caregivers who might otherwise experience burnout.
Home companions can provide essential reminders for people taking medications and attending doctor’s appointments, helping avoid health complications like forgetting medication or missing an important appointment, which could have serious repercussions.
Home care agencies that offer companion services must conduct background checks and provide training. Furthermore, they should create care plans with input from families as well as having a backup system ready in case a caregiver becomes unavailable.
Home companions differ from nurses or personal care aides in that they do not offer medical assistance such as bathing and dressing; instead they assist with daily activities of living such as running errands or traveling companionship for trips; home companions also often play games or watch television with loved ones to provide companionship or simply offer companionship.
Transportation
Without access to transportation, seniors and their family members can find themselves limited in how and when they move around. Home care companions provide vital assistance by transporting clients to doctor’s appointments, grocery stores and other local destinations.
Companion services also provide seniors with an opportunity to socialize outside of their immediate families and friends, which can provide vital emotional support while lifting mood and relieving loneliness that is common among seniors who may lack much social activity.
There are various methods available for finding a home care companion, from referrals from family and friends to searching online reviews. When seeking recommendations from these sources, speaking directly with someone from within an agency would likely yield the best results.
Professional in-home caregivers can assist with numerous household duties, such as cleaning, laundry and meal preparation. Additionally, they can offer transportation for medical appointments or recreational activities.
Activities of daily living
Home companions differ from nurses or carers in that they focus more on providing emotional and social support and assistance with activities of daily living rather than medical services. This makes them the perfect solution for individuals needing assistance with daily routine but do not require the level of care provided by nursing facilities or long-term care facilities.
Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) encompass tasks like managing finances, grocery shopping and meal preparation as well as housekeeping and laundry duties. If a senior is having difficulty performing these activities independently, having an extra set of eyes available could provide them with all of the support needed to continue living independently. A home companion can provide this additional help and ensure their independence is preserved.
To gain more information about the services provided by home companions, you may wish to visit a local company or speak with friends and family about who could assist. Alternatively, the National Association of Area Boards on Aging offers a directory that connects you with providers in your area; additionally companions may be found through private providers or home health and nursing agencies.