Companion Care

By Jessica Pontel


When an elderly or disabled person can no longer provide basic care for themselves, one option to consider is companion care. Companion care is comprised of several separate jobs for the companion. First, they help with any daily living activities. They also can take care of medical issues the patient has, and finally they can socialize with the elderly person to make sure they are getting enough social experience.

If you have a loved one that lives far away, this can help reassure you that your family member is getting enough socialization. With isolation and depression so common among the elderly, having the peace of mind that your family member is not isolated or depressed is worth quite a bit.

Companion care can bridge the gap between your family member and the rest of the world. The care provider can engage your loved one in conversation, help them get library books or movies to give them interesting and stimulating activities, or if the situation calls for it, can read them books.

Additionally, companion care providers also provide care. This means, in most cases, non-specialized care. In other words, the companion can provide basic assistance with bathing, dressing, feeding and cleaning, but generally does not provide assistance with complex medical needs.

However, there are some companion care providers with the training required to do more complex medical jobs. If this is a concern for you, it is one that is best addressed with the local companion care agencies you are considering.

You will have to consider the cost of companion care before you make any decisions. In many cases, Medicare or your insurance company will cover some of your companion care, however the exact amount of your coverage varies based on the medical conditions the patient has.

Discussing your budget and the needs of your family member with the companion care agency can help you understand what kind of care your family member needs and find out how much care is covered by Medicare or your insurance. They can help you figure out ways to finance the difference between the cost of care and the amount covered by Medicare.

Companion care is a way to ensure that your elderly or disabled family member gets the best care available to them as they age. Aging is an inevitable process that gradually strips us of the ability to provide the care for ourselves we need. Engaging a companion care agency can give your loved one the ability to stay in their home for as long as possible, and avoid having to be relocated to a nursing home. Companion care can be a valuable service for your loved ones, and can give you peace of mind knowing someone is taking care of your family member.




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