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Author: Ketan Shah

When most families think about professional caregivers, they tend to think about the type of care that offers hands-on help with activities of daily living and similar tasks. But for seniors who don’t need that type of help, there is another option. Companion care at home involves ensuring that seniors get the social connection and emotional support that they might be missing while they age in place.

Why Companions Matter

Companion caregivers are there to offer friendship and conversation, not medical assistance or other types of tasks. As seniors age, they can experience reduced mobility, find it more difficult to socialize, and deal with other causes of anxiety, loneliness, or isolation. When companion caregivers stop by to visit, their presence offers social engagement, comfort, and a solution for their loneliness.

What Companion Care Looks Like

The emotional connection that companion care at home offers is so important for seniors who spend a lot of time alone. Companion caregivers are someone to talk to, laugh with, and engage in all sorts of other activities with. Some seniors might need someone to play games with them, others might want to share the stories of their lives. Each visit might look a little bit different, depending on what seniors need most.

Relieving Anxiety and Boosting Wellness

When seniors spend too much time alone, that can cause anxiety. Emotional wellness is a huge part of overall wellness, so it’s important for aging adults to have an outlet for their social needs. SImply spending time talking with someone else and forging connections can be enough to decrease anxiety for older adults.

Supporting Cognitive Stimulation

Cognitive health is so important for aging adults, particularly if they’re worried about conditions like dementia. Meaningful hobbies like games and puzzles can help, but there are other activities that provide cognitive stimulation, too. Spending time with other people and engaging in conversations stimulates memory and keeps the brain active and engaged. All of this is excellent for memory, mood, and overall mental health.

Preserving a Sense of Purpose

Aging in place is often a choice seniors make when they want to maintain their independence as much as they can. As life continues to slow down a bit, seniors might worry about becoming a burden. When they’re not interacting as much with the outside world, finding a new sense of purpose is important. Spending time with companion caregivers can remind seniors that they aren’t a burden to anyone and that their needs matter.

Offering Peace of Mind for Families

So many family caregivers can’t be with their loved ones every day. When they know that there’s someone who is able to visit more often, it can be a huge relief. Companion caregivers can accurately assess how seniors are doing, as well, keeping family members aware of what’s going on.

Companion care at home is very different from other types of elder care services. It isn’t about managing illnesses or daily living tasks. It’s about forging human connections and helping seniors to get what they need to remain emotionally healthy as they age in place.

If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Cupertino, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers today (408) 317-4969.