Accompaniment in the care of the elderly | elderly care services (2023)

Companion care is primarily emotional support and companionship for generally healthy seniors who wish to remain independent at home. However, it can also include a range of non-medical services that help make a senior's life more manageable. These services can include light cleaning, assistance witheveryday activities(ADLs), medication reminders and more. Although companion care is focused on older people in their homes, this can be catered forthose in nursing homeseElderly assisted living. Companion care also falls under the headings of personal care assistants and homemaker services.

What is companion care?

The role of the companion changes according to the elderly and their needs. It is a service that can be used at home, in a home hospice, or in an assisted living situation. In general, companion care includes the social and physical care of an elderly person or couple. The aim of accompanying care as a service is:

• give emotional support
• Improving the quality of life of older people
• Offer seniors companionship

Companion care may also include physical care, such as B. Grocery shopping, house cleaning, and tasks that support or maintain an older person's or couple's independence. Accompanying care should enable the elderly to enjoy life.

Senior companions are people, some paid and othersare volunteersthat provide a necessary and constant presence in the life of an older person. The role of the elderly caregiver is to maintain the connection between the elderly and the rest of society. They work in ways that offer emotional support and, in some cases, provide physical nurturing while alleviating the stresses that come with aging, loss of mobility and mental decline. Geriatric nurses don't need to be medically trained or certified, and their role can be as simple as grocery shopping or going to a doctor's appointment. It can also be easy to sit down and talk to an older person on a regular basis.

What are the benefits of the Senior Companion?

The greatest benefit of the senior companion is that it improves the quality of life of the elderly. camaraderie goesmore than caringand it is a symbiotic relationship that allows older people to thrive. On a social level, having friends and companions allows people to talk about challenges, express grief, and find resources to solve problems. On a personal level, a good companion is someone the senior not only looks forward to visiting and hanging out with, but also someone they can trust. Older people worry about many of their challenges that might be very small for you and me, like going to the supermarket orTransportation there and backdoctor appointments. Companionship helps relieve worry and stress so seniors can focus on quality living.

The impact of being a caregiver to the elderly is often a longer, healthier life with greater well-being. When we are alone we suffer and are at greater risk of dementia and forgetfulness. It lacks ambition and can be associated with depression and loss of will to live. The worst of criminals are isolated as punishment. Accompanying older people is so important because it is the fuel that gives meaning back to their lives and with it the desire to do more.

What forms of companion care are there?

• Accompanying care– The inpatient accompanying care is usually provided by a home care service. contains24 hour shiftsby one or more people. This type of service is ideal for keeping an elderly person in your home for as long as possible and usually includes many types of service, from meal preparation and house cleaning to hygiene, bathing and transportation to appointments.
• companion at home– This type of service usually includesshorter visitswith specific purposes such as meal preparation, bath assistance, or transportation to an appointment or grocery shopping. There are also personal checks that take place when friends, family or other community members come to visit regularly. This support can come from a local church, neighbors, or a paid ministry.
• Concomitant palliative care–The hospice offers accompanying carethrough a variety of means. A hospice has volunteers who come by to visit and help. A hospice volunteer can run errands for the senior or help with appointments. Hospice also offers home healthcare products for personal needs and temporary visits. The hospice is a dynamic organization and other senior caregivers include social workers, clergy and nurses.
• Religion-based companion care, which is usually available viamany religious communitiesas Christian companionship, Catholic companionship, etc. If the senior is a member of a religious community, begin your search within that group. Familiar faces are great companions. If not, most religious groups are happy to help, and there are many non-denominational religious groups available as well.

escort service

At its core, companionship is exactly what the name suggests – companionship and someone to share personal experiences and stories with. This personal connection can be crucial for seniors who live alone and may be isolated from others.
Seniors who speak andplay games(Bridge, Scrabble, etc.) with a partner retain an edge in their mental acuity. Studies show that this type of stimulation can help delay the effects of dementia.or Alzheimer's.

Other services include:

• medicinesticky notes
• Helpcomdaily routinelike getting out of bed and getting in and out of the car.
• performance lightcleaning serviceobligations
• prepare andculinarymeals
• TransportGrocery help, doctor appointments and errands.
• help withplanning,schedulingeseekTerm.
• encourage andplanning social activities. This can include local attractions, movies, shopping, visiting family and friends, and anything that keeps the customer busy and enjoying life.
• A practiceto keep body, mind and soul healthy. This could include walking around the neighborhood, swimming in the local pool, and anything that keeps them active.
• Lustigwith hobbies, games etc.
• interaction with familymembers to update them on the condition of their loved ones.
• Some providers may havedementia careTraining and experience to help seniors showing signs of the disease.

Who Provides Aftercare?

• Certified home care and palliative care agencies provide both medical and non-medical services. These agencies are strictly regulated by the federal government.
• Uncertified (and unlicensed) agencies provide non-medical home services.
• Independent contractors are self-employed and hired directly from the family. These supervisors are usually not licensed.

Selection of care services for companions

Consider these questions as you begin to narrow down your choice of escorts.

• Does the agency offer additional services, e.g. B. Home care if my loved one's condition requires it?
• Is the agency referred by a hospital, social worker, doctor or similar professional?
• Does the agency conduct background checks on staff?
• Does the employee have professional recommendations to give?
• Does the employee have any certifications or special skills (e.g. dementia care, nutrition, etc.)?
• Does the agency offer free home safety assessments?
• Does the agency offer 24/7 service?
• How does the agency monitor the caregiver?
• How does the agency develop the customer service plan?
• Is the family involved in the caregiving process?
• Is the client involved in your care process and plan?
• If the caregiver is unable to work on a particular day, who will take over? How much notification do you get?
• Will the reference person always be the same person?
• How long does a nurse stay in the agency on average?
• What payment options are there? Is there a payment plan?
• Any additional fees, deposits, etc. not included in the listed cost?
• Are public holidays and weekends chargeable?

costs for accompanying persons

The costs varydepending on the degree of care and the training of the caregiver. Other factors may include the local market and the reputation of the provider. after aGenworth Cost of Care Finance Inquiry, is the national average for licensed companion care services$18 per hour and most services require a minimum of 4 hours. The study defines this service as “housekeeping services, which is a service that enables people to live in or return to their own homes and helps them complete household chores that they cannot do on their own. Domestic help can clean houses, cook meals or run errands.”

Health insurance doesn't payfor the care of the companion. Most people in need of care or their families pay out of their own pockets. SomeLong Term Care Insurance (LTC)may cover care services for companions. Additionally, some states offer housing benefits based on the financial needs of their residents. YourArea Agency for AgingIt's a good starting point for finding out what's out there where you live.

How do I find companions for the elderly?

There are several sources for older companions, and some of them are free. Begin by defining the senior's needs, then match the caregiver's skills to the senior's needs.

home care company– Accredited and non-accredited home care businesses provide companion support. They want to research all potential partners and the company employing them. Home care services are charged per visit or per hour. Sometimes the support is free. You can start looking for a compatible companion care by:

• local church
• Through community services like Senior Corps, which provides volunteers to assist seniors with tasks like grocery shopping or transportation to a doctor's appointment.
• Social workers who may have information about local programs
• State Department of Social Services or Health. Many states have programs for seniors and can provide information to help you find the perfect senior companion.

Many assisted living centers also offer companion support as part of their service offerings.

Is there follow-up for companions near me?

Most likely there is! Senior escorts are easy to find in most major communities. In smaller communities, the role of elder caregiver can include a variety of people, e.g. B. Neighbors, friends, church friends and paid services of a care provider. There are also national organizations that provide senior caregivers through volunteers.

Learn more about finding a senior caregiver in your areaSociety for National and Civil Service. You can also useour directoryto search for escorts in your area, read reviews and get information about escort prices.

Summary

Companion care can allow seniors to remain more independent and prevent them from moving on to the next, more expensive step: assisted living or a nursing home.