Seniors often require assistance with activities like gardening or scrapbooking. They may require transportation from home to grocery stores, doctor appointments or church services.
Your loved one may resist the concept of home companion care at first, but it’s worthwhile having a discussion about its advantages. Contact Visiting Angels in your area now for a complimentary consultation and discover its value!
Caregiver Jobs
Home companions can be hired either privately or through an agency. Agencies often screen caregivers who work under the supervision of a case manager and may perform other duties such as assessing a client’s health and safety needs.
An elderly resident with dementia who frequently falls or needs emergency assistance during the night may require the services of a live-in companion who provides around-the-clock assistance. Such caregivers usually live alongside them to provide round-the-clock support.
Home companions typically focus on providing companionship and protection instead of aiding with personal care tasks like bathing or dressing, though if they spend over 20% of their time doing these things they must be paid hourly as employees under FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act). Many agencies require their companions be trained in first aid and CPR.
Personal Care
Home companions may provide assistance with personal care tasks like bathing and grooming, shopping assistance or running errands; however, unlike an aide who is certified to provide hands-on assistance services, companions cannot perform skilled nursing services.
Some individuals opt to hire an independent companion caregiver, while others work with home health agencies in finding suitable providers. Referrals from family, friends or neighbors who have used the services of particular home care agencies and can give an impartial assessment of each caregiver is often beneficial in finding suitable providers. Agencies offer friendly coordinators that are available to schedule a free home consultation appointment as well as tailor a care plan specifically for your loved one’s needs.
Medication Reminders
Many seniors take multiple medications prescribed to them to address health conditions, including heart medication, blood pressure medication or thyroid medication. But for these treatments to work efficiently they must be taken regularly at the right times; missed doses could result in further illness or even lead to death.
Staying on top of medication reminders for an elderly loved one can be daunting, but rest easy knowing that a professional home caregiver has this under control.
There are various methods available for setting medication reminders, from alarm clocks and pill boxes with built in dispensers to audio and vibrational alarms that alert when it is time for your loved one’s medicine. Furthermore, apps exist which provide reminders and even allow users to track their meds.
Transportation
Seniors living alone often feel isolated. Companions can help alleviate this feeling by transporting them to social activities, healthcare appointments and therapy appointments and other places they need to go.
Seniors can also utilize ride services like Lyft and GoGoGrandparent that offer door-to-door rides within minutes, often providing special services tailored specifically to seniors such as concierge service to assist with scheduling and using apps; some even partner with healthcare and assisted living communities.
However, these rides only provide curb-to-curb transportation and do not accompany seniors on their destinations or stay with them until their return home. To address this problem, some long-term care insurance policies cover the costs associated with in-home companion care – an agency or independent companion can be hired if desired.
Socialization
Home companion caregivers frequently engage seniors in conversation, play card or board games with them, take them for walks and participate in other activities that help them feel part of their community. Furthermore, these caregivers may provide transportation for appointments or errands.
Seniors living alone often need extra assistance with grocery shopping, meal prep and other daily tasks that need doing. A private home caregiver is here to provide them with assistance in these areas.
When searching for a home care provider, speaking to friends and family who have used these services can provide invaluable feedback about the experience and recommendations tailored specifically to the needs of your loved one. Furthermore, work with an established staffing agency which thoroughly vets caregivers in order to find those that will best fit.