Companion Care
The What: Loneliness is the feeling of being alone, regardless of the amount of social contact. Social isolation is a lack of social connections. Social isolation can lead to loneliness in some people, while others can feel lonely without being socially isolated. Companion Care services deliver healthy social interactions that build quality relationships through meaningful and stimulating activities.
Companion Care means connecting with the client in a meaningful way around the things that personally bring pleasure and joy to them. Effective caregivers use active listening skills to understand their client's likes, dislikes, preferences and life experiences.
The Why: According to the CDC publication, "Loneliness and Social Isolation Linked to Serious Health Conditions," loneliness and social isolation in older adults are serious public health risks affecting a significant number of people in the U.S. and putting them at risk for dementia and other serious medical conditions.
Health Risks of Loneliness. There is strong evidence that many adults ages 50 and older are socially isolated or lonely in ways that put their health at risk. Recent studies found that:
Social isolation significantly increases a person's risk of premature death from all causes, a risk that may rival those of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.
Poor social relationships (characterized by social isolation or loneliness) was associated with 29% increased risk of heart diseases and a 32% increased risk of stroke.
Loneliness was associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicide.
Some of the key benefits of Companion Care include:
Provides the social support that can alleviate boredom, sadness, loneliness, and feelings of isolation.
Supports emotional and mental (cognitive) stimulation, alertness, and subjective cognitive decline (related dementias).
Safety supervision to reduce the risk of falls.
Service Description
Encourage Active Thinking: Companions help structure activities, hobbies and interactive games to keep the mind fresh, engaged and stimulated.
Encourage light exercise: Caregivers encourage and accompany clients on regular walks and/or light exercise they enjoy, so they can gain greater mobility, quality of life and independence.
Friendly and supportive conversation: Caregivers provide a friendly conversation where clients can spend time talking and have a lending and attentive ear. Whatever the subject- reminiscing about life experiences, favorite personal stories or grandchildren - Caregivers can be there to listen and engage.
Plan and encourage social activities - Support an active lifestyle by making the best of every moment. Caregivers help plan visits with the client's family and friends, play dates with grandchildren, trips to the zoo/museum, shopping sprees, crafts and scrapbooking, or even schedule vacations.
Engaging with a client can take many different forms including, but certainly not limited to:
Sharing family memories and looking at photo albums
Participating in an art project
Listening to music and discussing the memories associated with it
Preparing a meal together using a family recipe
Completing a puzzle or crossword together
Taking a walk in a park or a client's favorite location
Assist in writing letters or emails to a friend or family member
Assisting with the use of social media or other technologies/apps that engage the client's interest and help them stay connected to friends and family
Assist with planning an event or social gathering.
Promote a sense of purpose whether that is participating in a new or previous hobby the client enjoyed or finding a volunteer activity (if the client is able)
Provide extra support and connection with a senior that may have recently lost a spouse. Companionship is particularly critical to help with the grieving process and to prevent isolation and potential depression.
Consider providing a senior with a robotic companion pet such as Joy for All and/or a plant to care for
Depending upon the client's living situation, assist with a small flower garden.
