What Is Senior Companion Care?
Did you know that 24% of all Americans over 65 feel lonely or socially isolated during their daily life?
Many people live far away from their loved ones and can’t be there to provide emotional support and companionship. Companion care is a great option to consider if you have an elderly loved one in this situation.
To learn more about companion care and how it can help your family member, you’ll need to keep reading this guide to learn everything you need to know!
What Is Senior Companion Care?
Companion care for seniors is a form of care that’s focused on providing friendship and emotional support to older adults. This type of senior care is primarily focused on helping with activities of daily living and not the medical aspects of caregiving.
In contrast to at-home nursing care, companion care can give your loved one support throughout the day and significantly help with feelings of loneliness. These caregivers offer daily support, such as:
- Conversation and emotional support
- Play games and help with different hobbies
- Transportation services to doctor’s appointments or social events
- Help with grocery shopping and picking up prescriptions
- Assistance with preparing and serving meals
- Help with housekeeping like light cleaning and laundry
- Reminders to take daily medications and of upcoming appointments
- Help with gardening tasks
- Provide company for daily walks and help with exercise routines
This type of elderly care typically doesn’t provide help for activities like bathing, toileting, oral hygiene, or other personal hygiene needs.
How to Hire a Senior Companion Caregiver
The hourly rate for companion care can vary, depending on who you choose for the role. You can find companion care in different ways, which include:
Hire Directly
Your first option is to hire a trusted friend or family member. You can also look on sites like Care.com and social media or get recommendations from friends and family.
Volunteers or Social Workers
Finding volunteers is a great option to consider. You can often find volunteers through community centers, local churches, or colleges.
If your loved one has a social worker from a recent hospital stay, you can use them as a resource to connect with caregivers right in your community.
Hiring an Agency
The most common way to find in-home senior services is through various home care or nursing agencies. The hourly rates vary greatly depending on where you live, but the average rate in the US is around $14.00 per hour.
You’ll also need to be aware that many agencies require a minimum amount of hours. This amount can range from 4 to 6 hours each day.
To start your search, you can check out the Senior Helpers homepage to see what types of services would be best for your loved one.
Find Companion Care For Your Loved One
Now that you know more about companion care, you’ll feel more comfortable considering this option for your loved one.
Remember to take your time and do your research on the different options available. If you’re hiring someone directly, make sure to thoroughly check their background to get a good idea of their overall experience.
For more health and lifestyle tips, make sure to check out the rest of our blog today!
