What Does a Companion Do for the Elderly?

If you’re considering partnering with a care companion for yourself or an aging loved one, you probably have a lot of questions. 

Companion care can be a confusing industry to understand without prior exposure or experience. 

But never fear! We’re going to answer some of the most common questions we’ve encountered over our 30 years in business so you can make an informed and confident decision. 

What Is Companion Care? 

Companion care is a popular style of non-medical assistance that provides elderly, injured, chronically ill, and disabled individuals with a wide range of companionship and personal care-based services designed to help them lead happy, healthy, and well-rounded lives. 

What are the Duties of a Companion?

The duties of companion care professionals can vary significantly depending on the service provider that employs them, the state you or your loved one resides in, and the level of companionship care needed. 

However, there are a few universal duties that any high-quality companion would surely provide to their patients. These common duties can be sorted into four distinct yet interconnected categories: companionship, non-medical care, day-to-day support, and lifestyle enhancements. 

• Companionship: At the heart of in-home companion care for seniors is compassionate companionship. Dedicated companions know their top priority is ensuring your loved one never feels alone. To accomplish this, high-quality companions engage in stimulating discussions, participate in enjoyable pastimes, and share in life's simple moments with their patients.

• Non-Medical Care: Personal companions also play a pivotal role in ensuring your loved one's well-being by offering a variety of non-medical care and support. While companions typically tailor their care to the distinct needs and desires of their patients, common examples of non-medical care include:
  • While companions typically tailor their care to the distinct needs and desires of their patients, common examples of non-medical care include:
    • Helping with dressing, personal grooming, and bathing activities
    • Synchronizing care with other home care services
    • Offering punctual reminders for medication intake and exercise routines
    • Facilitating movement and guidance within and outside the home

• Day-to-Day Support: In-home companion care for seniors adds another set of helpful hands to your loved one's household, allowing them to lighten their daily burdens without infringing on their independence.
  • Depending on your loved one's desired level of care, this can include helping seniors at home by:
    • Planning and preparing tasty and nutritious meals
    • Handling light housekeeping duties, like dishes, laundry, or dusting
    • Or organizing overlooked or hard-to-access areas like closets, cabinets, and refrigerators

• Lifestyle Enhancements: We all face different challenges in daily life. Personal companions provide personalized service that ensures you or your loved ones can overcome them with ease.
  • For example, if your loved one's struggles with driving have prevented them from staying active in social groups or hobbies, personal companions can provide chauffeur-style transportation support.
  • If driving is no problem, but they struggle with organization, cleaning, and personal upkeep, a care companion can provide light housekeeping and grooming support to ensure their home stays organized and tidy and hygiene stays in tip-top shape.

What Is the Difference Between a Caregiver and a Companion?

While both caregivers and companions provide essential services to aging adults, their roles and responsibilities rarely overlap. 

Caregivers, like nurses, in-home health aides, doctors, and physical therapists, provide skilled medical care that often requires advanced training, certifications, and licensing. They’re responsible for tasks like medication management, rehabilitation, examinations, and making diagnoses.

Companions, on the other hand, are responsible for the emotional, mental, and domestic well-being of their patients. Instead of providing direct medical care, companions fill the gaps left by skilled providers to ensure you or your loved one enjoy well-rounded and comprehensive care.

What Is the Benefit of Having a Companion?

The benefits of companionship care can't be understated — especially for aging and elderly individuals. 

The rising rates of loneliness, anxiety, isolation, and depression among America's elderly population highlight an urgent need for reliable solutions to address their mental and emotional challenges. Personal care companions solve these alarming issues by providing aging and older adults an essential outlet for socialization, conversation, recreation, and emotional and mental support. 

Care companions can also take the stress out of daily tasks many older adults find challenging, like personal care, housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, and running errands. 

The additional layer of support provided by companion care also removes the onus of caregiving from friends and loved ones while still ensuring the side effects of aging, chronic illnesses, injuries, or mental and physical limitations don't hinder your or your loved one's ability to enjoy a low-stress, fulfilling, and engaging lifestyle.

How Do I Find a Companion for my Elderly Mother? 

Without the right support, finding a companion for your elderly mother can quickly become a stress-filled and overwhelming experience. 

You might spend time:

• Researching providers
• Reading companion care reviews
• Seeking referrals from friends and family
• Vetting resident companion job description

The reality is these activities can only provide so much insight and guidance. 

That’s why we always recommend reaching out to companion providers in your area directly. Ask them about their approach to companion care, their service options, and what they look for when hiring new companions. Use your best judgment to find a provider that aligns with your mother’s needs, desires, and values.

How Senior Home Companions Can Help

Senior Home Companions has been providing personalized, exceptional, and consistent support to aging and elderly individuals for more than three decades. 

If you're interested in exploring the benefits of companionship or simply have questions about how we can improve the lives of you and your loved ones, contact us today.