“At Home Companion” refer to independent living aides who are residents of a facility, whether they live there full time or part time, providing companionship. They may be skilled in many different tasks including but not limited to cleaning, laundry, errands running, shopping, meals preparation, medication reminders, transportation, companionship, bathing, toileting, companionship, shopping, and errands. As the name implies, these live-in assistants are independent. These live-in companions provide their own personal care in exchange for a small monthly or yearly fee. Some have medical conditions, thus their duties may differ slightly from those of regular residents.
“At Home Companion” refers to companionship provided by individuals, agencies, and/or communities that provide a range of in-home assistance to seniors or those who are disabled. “At Home Companion” services vary greatly. There are agencies and/or communities that provide extensive senior care, in home medical care, or other specific tasks that benefit the elderly or special needs individual. Alternatives to live-in companion services may include professional, partial, or complete care in an assisted living or nursing home.
“Light Housekeeping” refer to housekeeping services provided to seniors in a custodial or assisted living facility. Live-in companions will usually assist with light housekeeping duties including light cleaning of shared spaces such as entryways, dining areas and porches, light gardening, vacuuming, dusting, among other chores. Agencies and facilities may also contract for light housekeeping services. These services are generally performed by trained staff members who are supervised and approved by the company offering the services.
“Live Alone” refer to services provided to seniors when they are alone. Live-in companion services can be provided by a variety of resources including doctors, nurses, dentists, therapists, nurses aids, and others. Senior citizen populations in particular often require live-in home care on a regular basis. Senior citizen populations that may benefit from live-in home care include those who are living alone in their final years of life, or are aging or disabled and need the added support of a live-in companion.
In home medical services refer to medical and surgical treatments that are provided in a medical environment. These services may include medical procedures performed in a nursing home or in a specialized hospital, surgery or other medical procedure administered in an operating room, diagnostic testing services provided in a laboratory, medications administered in a pharmacy, dental services in a dental office, or hearing aids and vision services administered in a vision center or optometrist office. Some of these services may be offered in a variety of locations, depending upon the needs of the senior citizen and their caregiver. These services are commonly referred to as assisted living or geriatric care.
Personal care services are those that fall under the category of direct patient care. This includes, but is not limited to, companionship and personal care given by licensed healthcare providers, such as physicians or nurses. These services are typically used in tandem with other types of services, such as: adult day care, in home medical care, respite care, home health aides, home health maintenance, home health aide programs, and respite services.
Emotional support and counseling services are among the most popular services provided to seniors in assisted living facilities. Senior citizens who are living alone are often struggling to cope with their problems and are often isolated. Counselors can help by providing emotional support, helping them organize and maintain healthy relationships, and learning how to cope with various situations. These services are usually offered by a geriatric rehabilitation service, which provides assistance in dealing with the day-to-day responsibilities associated with assisted living.
Senior citizens who live alone are not alone in their struggles. Many times, elderly individuals tend to isolate themselves because they are unable to overcome some of the challenges associated with old age. Installing a companion for them to rely on can greatly improve the quality of their life and give them a sense of purpose. Many times, elderly companions offer daily companionship to their seniors. This is especially helpful for those who may experience health problems and require extra assistance around the home.