How do you begin determining the in-home care for an elderly loved one? The National Institute on Aging (NIH) found in a 2019 study that simply providing a companion to the elderly could make all the difference. In fact, loneliness and social isolation can lead to adverse health, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and Alzheimer's. Social interaction when lonely no matter a person's age leads to:
- Extending life expectancy
- Boosting mood
- Enhancing cognitive function
- Improving the quality of life
Hiring a trained individual to provide engaging and routine in-home care visits to a senior citizen facing social isolation and loneliness also:
- Allows seniors to stay in their own homes where they are most comfortable
- Takes the burden off of family members to provide care or gives a caretaker time off for personal business
- Determines if an elderly loved one needs additional assistance through observation and interaction
According to the NIH, there are an estimated 13.8 million people who live alone in the United States. Not all who live alone are lonely. However, some find distress in social isolation, leading to loneliness, especially after retirement, losing a spouse/partner or a friend, or decreasing mobility and transportation options.
What is Companion Care?
While in-home care for the elderly can help with routine tasks like bathing, house cleaning, meal preparation, transportation to an appointment, or help following surgery, home care aides can also be hired to provide enhanced services. These include scheduling routine visits to talk with the client or doing an activity together like scrapbooking, gardening, a game, or a puzzle, or watching a sports event or movie.
Visits are structured to meet the individualized needs of the client. Staff are trained to partner with the elderly. It is through this established trust that senior loved ones may share where they need more help. This can open the door for further conversations with a senior loved one's family to proactively start to provide the care that is needed and/or requested.
How to Start Companion Care
This is where Senior Helpers Hattiesburg can help. Senior Helpers begin the process of determining new client care with an in-home assessment. From there a tailored plan using the Senior Helpers LIFE Profile is developed to meet the individual client's needs. This may mean a visit is scheduled twice a month to check in with a client and help with routine tasks, or a daily visit is made by an experienced Senior Helpers aide while a senior loved one is home alone and needs a watchful eye for assistance. Aides with Senior Helpers are also trained in assessing safety concerns during visits and offering resources to families to help.
Costs of Companion Care
Senior Helpers works with many families to find affordable ways to fund companion care. Long-term care insurance, veteran's pension, life insurance, reverse mortgage, government assistance, and private pay are all options that can be explored if you decide on elderly companion care.
Senior Helpers Hattiesburg Companion Care and Wellness Watch
Senior Helpers Hattiesburg serves the entire region, including Laurel, Waynesboro, Collins, Poplarville, Wiggins, Sumrall, Ellisville, and New Augusta. Learn more about the in-home care services Senior Helpers Hattiesburg provides, including Companion Care and Wellness Watch, on their website.