Even though aging adults often have difficulty handling different tasks, they still want to retain their independence. However, at some points, when they begin to experience cognitive decline and limited mobility, they might not be able to cope with the activities again.
On the other hand, some aging adults can handle these tasks but have limited opportunities for social interaction, which can greatly affect their mental health. Whether an aging adult needs emotional or physical support, senior companion care is the best alternative. Following are the benefit of companion care and other things you should know about the care:
Companion Care Service Costs
According to a financial cost of care survey conducted by Genworth, the national median cost of licensed companion care is $26 per hour. On the minimum, most services will require 4 hours. The care is tagged as Homemaker Services, meaning people can access the service right in their homes. They can also access the service and return to their homes.
The service can include housekeeping, errands, cooking, transportation, and planning of social activities. The cost is different for each state, and it is determined by different factors. Below are some of the things that determine the cost of senior companion care:
- Level of care
- Training and qualifications of the caregiver
- Provider’s reputation
- Local market
Types of Senior Companion Care Services
Aging adults can access senior companion care services depending on their level of needs. These are some of the services aging adults can expect:
- Help with activities of daily living
- Assistance with house maintenance
- Meal Preparation
- Transportation service
- Medication management
- Scheduling and keeping appointments
- Planning social activities like trips to a local attraction, shopping, attending events, and visit to loved ones
Benefits of Senior Companion Care Services
Companionship is important to improve the overall well-being of aging adults. It is more beneficial to aging adults who live alone and have limited mobility as it helps them live a longer and healthier life. These are some benefits of companion care services for aging adults:
- Assistance with Daily Tasks: Companion care services assist aging adults in activities that are basic to their daily living. These activities include bathing, cleaning, cooking, house maintenance, and errands. Aging adults with limited mobility and cognitive declines might have problems handling these activities.
- Transportation: Companion service care also provides transportation to help aging adults keep up with appointments. Many aging adults live in isolation because they cannot drive on their own. However, with senior companion service care, they visit any location and attend events outside their home.
- Improved Quality of Life: Companionship is associated with quality of life in aging adults. As a result of constant interaction with companions, their physical and emotional life will be significantly improved. The duty of the companions is to help aging adults live their best life irrespective of their limitations.
- Medication Reminders: Aging adults with more than more medications might find it hard to keep up with them. Companions will help them with medication reminders and the right dose to take. They will read the medication labels and prescriptions to remind aging adults when to take the medications.