Companionship is my most popular service and can be a great option for those looking for dementia care or help for those with other age-related conditions.
What is companionship? Companionship is when a caregiver spends time with a senior, chatting, playing games, or doing other activities. You might hear synonyms such as “senior companion” and “elder companion”. Companionship doesn’t involve anything hands-on; I cannot assist with bathing, grooming, or transfers.
Why is companionship important? Loneliness is a huge problem in the senior population. It increases the risk of comorbidities including anxiety, depression, stroke, and developing cardiovascular disease or dementia, according to the NIH. While hiring a companion can be great for those who have dementia (more on this below), it can also be a way for others to decrease the risk of developing it, along with other comorbidities.
Companionship is often a great fit for those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s, and other forms of dementia. Typically dementia clients fall in one of two categories:
- The spouse or other loved one needs respite care: It can be difficult or impossible for a spouse or other loved one who lives with a person with dementia to get out and run errands, see friends, etc. I can provide respite companionship so that you can continue to do your daily activities while knowing that your loved one is safe and in good company.
- The person with dementia lives by himself (typically in assisted living or memory care). There may be no family in the area, or the family may be too busy to visit frequently. In this case a loved one may hire me to ensure that the person with dementia gets quality one-on-one time with a companion.
In addition to being great for clients with dementia, companionship can be a good fit for seniors living with strokes, mobility, sight, or hearing conditions, or those that are just lonely.
Case Studies
I tailor my services to the client’s needs, based on learning about the client directly and from and his family. A few examples:
One of my clients has early dementia. His only family in the area is his sister, who has more advanced dementia and lives in memory care. I see him once a week, and we buy chocolates for his sister, visit her, get ice cream together, and go for a walk along a creek. He likes classic rock, so we listen to it while driving between places.
Another client had a severe stroke several years ago. I see him for an hour a couple times a week. I bring him food, and we listen to music, call his sister, and play catch with a sensory ball.
Another client lived with his wife in a 55+ building. He had progressing dementia, and his wife needed breaks to do household tasks and run errands. He lived across the street from a senior center, and we’d walk over there and play pool. He also liked looking at cars, and we’d spend time in their building’s garage, looking at interesting cars.
A Few Great Features of Using SeniorAsset for Companionship Are:
You get the same caregiver every time
Larger home care agencies can do great work, but there is high turnover in the industry. You can be forced to build rapport with new caregivers periodically. I’m the only caregiver at SeniorAsset, so you get me every time. Because I’m the sole caregiver and owner, families get a direct line of communication with their caregiver.
Experienced & qualified caregiver
I have over two years of experience and have worked with a variety of clients including many with Alzheimer’s and others with Lewy body dementia. I’m dementia care certified through the Alzheimer’s Association and am CPR, AED, and First Aid certified through Red Cross.
Flexibility
I offer a 1 hour minimum, but I’m happy to do longer visits as well. You can use me multiple times weekly or only when you go out of town for check-in visits for you loved one. SeniorAsset is an incredibly flexible senior home caregiver option.