Establishing Home Health Care

Caring for an aging family member can be a difficult task. Throw in work demands and other family care duties, and you may feel like you're constantly drowning in your responsibilities. If you're struggling to provide your family member with the best care, read on to learn more about the benefits of hiring a companion.

What Is Companion Care?

Many elderly individuals receive in-home medical visits. From nurses to physical therapists, your loved one may be seeing medical personnel on a daily basis. While the services they provide for your loved one are invaluable, they may not have as much time to spend with them as they'd (and you'd) like.

A companion is an individual who may have a medical background of their own but who primarily provides companionship services to the bedridden and elderly. They can provide basic acts of care and help with daily needs, such as cleaning, shopping, and meal preparation, but they also act as a friend and companion.

Who Can Benefit from Companion Care?

Whether your family member is fairly independent or needs more intensive daily care, a companion can usually be matched to fit their needs. When working with an elderly companion company, it's important to be as honest about your loved one's needs as possible. This ensures they match the right companion with your loved one to provide only the best care.

The tasks performed by companions will be determined by the needs of your loved one. They may only need help with more-involved housework, such as laundry, or perhaps they need someone to drive them around to run errands and attend necessary appointments. Even if the majority of your loved one's needs are met by you or other medical professionals, a companion can be a great addition to the care team. Your loved one can never be surrounded by too many caring people who take the time to interact with them and enjoy their company.

When Is Companion Care Right For Your Loved One?

Companions can be a great addition to the support team at any point in time. Your loved one may have recently suffered a setback that leaves them needing more help around the home, or they may have been in decline for a while now. Even if your loved one shows no signs of slowing down, a companion can offer support you didn't even know your loved one needed.

To get a better idea of the companion care services offered in your area, call around. The services offered may range in complexity, and it's always good to know what supports can be called in, even if not immediately needed.