One thing is certain: humans aren’t meant to live in isolation forever. No matter what your personality is – introverted, extroverted, or somewhere in the middle of that, it is important to have people around you that love, care, and support you – throughout all the highs and lows of life.
Unfortunately, for many elderly people, loneliness and isolation is common. The senior years can often bring a lack the companionship and hiring a professional companion can be an incredible gift.
What are the professional responsibilities of a hired companion?
Companion care is a valuable and sometimes necessary non-medical service for senior citizens or people living with disabilities. Companions can sometimes provide personal care services, but the primary goal of companion care is to offer emotional support and socialization.
Companions may also help older adults or those with disabilities with a variety of essential tasks including:
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Meal preparation
- Running errands (post office, dry cleaner, grocery store, etc.)
- Transportation to medical appointments or social activities
- Reading to adult, take walks, play games
- Conversation
- Communication with family members and other care team
Companion caretakers usually have a designated schedule for staying in the home with the person, and that may need to be adjusted in frequency depending on if the person’s specific needs change. Some companions work in the home daily, while others just work part time, visiting or helping around the home for a few hours several days a week. If the person has medical appointments that fluctuate from week to week, that may also impact the number of hours the companion works.
What are the benefits of hiring a companion?
A personal companion can truly transform your loved one’s life and their outlook on life. Here’s how:
Purpose.
Many people can’t wait for the retirement years and look forward to doing all the things they wanted to do or couldn’t do while they were busy working or raising a family. Once they have had the opportunity to do some of those fun things during retirement and they notice that they are starting to slow down, it can feel frustrating and for some people – send them into real despair. For individuals living with a disability, they may lack mobility or cognitive abilities that limit what they can participate in. For each of these people groups, it might feel like they’ve lost their purpose or meaning in life. Bringing in a companion that provides friendship, compassion, and a listening ear can truly bring hope and a positive outlook on your loved one’s life again. New friendships mean they have something that they can nurture in their own way and it’s something that can fill their heart with joy.
Mental and physical inspiration.
For those dealing with a disability or people that are noticing their bodies slowing down during the senior years, physical and mental activity simply might not be what it once was. Having a companion to help encourage them to talk, move, and stay active – mentally and physically – can be life changing. When you’re looking at hiring a companion, consider finding out more about their interests and see if they are similar to those that your loved one has. This could be a great way for the companion and your family member to work together to rekindle the activities that can help stimulate their mind and body once again.
Daily tasks.
If your family member is struggling to complete day-to-day tasks around the home, a companion can help! Maybe it’s cooking a meal, folding and putting away laundry, doing grocery shopping, or keeping the house clean. Companions can help alleviate some of the stress that comes with keeping the household running smoothly and give you peace of mind knowing that the person is safe.
You want your loved one to live a life that is full and rewarding – no matter how old or young they are. In short, a personal companion can not only provide the extra hand that you might need, but they can also give hope. Having someone that truly cares and looks out for that special person in your life is something to be valued and treasured.
At Household Staffing, we place personal companions in homes around the country. We listen closely to what your loved one needs and create a tailored job description so find the best match possible. Contact us today so we can help you find specialized home companion care in as little as 10 days.
