The Benefits of Home Companion Care
Home Companion Care is a growing trend in senior home care across the United States. Companion care encompasses a range of services that improve the quality of life for older adults. Companion care agencies, private independent caregiver contracting companies, and local community organizations provide skilled in home companion care services for older adults who receive minimal or no medical attention from family members or friends. Many elderly individuals live alone, isolated from the world. They may require assistance with basic tasks such as bathing, dressing, moving to chair, or shopping. Senior home care agencies and private caregivers provide trained and licensed personnel to provide these tasks and more for their clients.
Live-in Care is provided by licensed and skilled in home care aides who live in the same home as the client. A variety of services are provided including but not limited to: grooming, laundry, meal preparation assistance, transportation, medication reminders to doctor’s appointments and medication, shopping, light housekeeping, companionship, medication education and reminder systems, medical information exchange, medical scheduling, medication stocking, companionship, medical records management, physical therapy, home health maintenance, transportation and exercise teaching. Companion care providers are licensed and bonded and follow federal, state and local laws. Many also participate in state and local Alzheimer’s Association programs and services. Most live-in care agencies are in the business of placing their clients in loving, safe environments.
There are many options for in-home companion care. There are many agencies and caregivers who specialize in several areas of care. Specialty areas include: Alzheimer’s disease treatment, dementia and Alzheimer’s care, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, geriatric, orthopedics, Parkinson’s disease, sleep disorders and severe cognitive impairment, specialty care for mentally challenged in communities or assisted living communities, women, men, children, senior citizens and pets, geriatric, heart problems and cardiac care. Many providers work with a network of family, friends and professionals to provide comprehensive in-home care services. There is care provided in residential, assisted living and long-term care facilities.
Shopping can be a stressful activity for the aging senior. Many seniors find that the most difficult aspect of caring for themselves is shopping. With in-home companion care, the senior can focus on more enjoyable activities. In addition to shopping, groceries can be stocked at home, allowing the caregiver time to spend quality time with the client. This is an especially valuable service for the disabled who require daily grocery shopping, meal preparation assistance with grocery shopping for the elderly.
In addition to shopping, it is often necessary to know the correct medications and dosage of medicines. This can often be accomplished by the live-in caregiver. For example, if the senior has a cardiac condition, he or she may know how much to purchase for that particular patient. Likewise, if a person in the home needs medications for asthma, diabetes or other conditions, the caregiver can know what exactly those medications should be purchased by the senior.
When the caregiver is assisting in senior care for a family member or friend, he or she will be able to continue living a normal life. Even though the caregiver is not seeing clients individually, he or she still can meet with patients and offer companionship services. Many people look forward to continuing to be in contact with their loved ones even after they have become dependent on others. If this transition is not handled properly, however, then the senior could become isolated, depressed and lonely. Therefore, the caregiver must make sure he or she continues to provide services, such as companionship care, even when the client no longer needs them.
A benefit of working with an in-home caregiver is that he or she will be trained in dementia care. Many individuals live with dementia for most of their lives. However, some dementia patients are diagnosed soon after they begin to experience cognitive changes. It is very important for the caregiver to be well-trained in dementia and how to deal with it. Specialized training will help an individual needs-based caregiver provide needed assistance to his or her loved one with dementia.
If you are an in-home caregiver and you are unsure about the different responsibilities that you have to fulfill, you should contact an elder care attorney. Elderly clients require many rights and privileges. There are laws that protect these rights and it is your responsibility to make sure that you are complying with them. A reputable attorney will help you navigate through the legal system and obtain the best possible result for your loved one.