It is not always easy to know what to get your dad for Father’s Day (June 21st), especially as they get older and often feel like they have everything they need. What do you get for the man who has everything?
The answer, as it so often can be, is something rather more intangible: companionship, support and emotional fulfilment.
This is where companionship care comes in; it is a type of care and support package that focuses less on meeting personal care and support needs and more on fulfilling emotional needs, helping ensure an independent life and enabling a continued connection to friendships and support networks.
Despite being a fundamental part of home care and live-in care services, companionship care does not get talked about enough, so in the spirit of a day that brings father and child together, here is a guide to companionship care and why it is a gift that keeps on giving.
What Is Companionship Care?
As we get older, our social networks often solidify and then begin to shrink over time. Whilst it is easy not to notice this happen during your working life, particularly if you have a family to take care of, the loneliness and isolation can become palpable as you grow older.
Children fly the nest, adults with increasingly busy lives get sidetracked, chronic illnesses can make it harder to go to social gatherings, and it can be tragically easy for people to drift away, which can lead to social isolation.
Given the health benefits of social interaction on mental, physical and neurological health, companionship care aims to meet the social needs of someone who can live independently but needs company that they do not get enough of.
The role of a companion carer can vary considerably, from taking some time every day or every week to have a cup of tea and a chat, to helping out with non-medical and personal care tasks, cooking your favourite meals, helping with travel or shopping, and providing help around the house.
Companion care can be flexibly delivered; it can be as simple as a friendly face popping in whenever you like to a fundamental part of long-term home care and even live-in care, supporting your father’s emotional as well as physical care needs.
Why Is Companionship Care So Important Around Father’s Day?
Isolation can hit hardest during holidays such as Father’s Day, as well as birthdays and anniversaries, so companion carers can be a vital lifeline for fathers and family who cannot connect with each other nearly as much as they would like.
Much like compassionate care more broadly, companionship care is an important pillar of support, helping to ensure that nobody is isolated and conversely allows someone to live their best, most independent life.
Whilst there are countless reasons why companionship care is so important, here are some of the biggest reasons why it makes such a difference.
It Reduces Loneliness
Nearly half of the UK population reported feeling lonely, and over 3.8m people in the UK said that they “often” or “always” felt lonely, according to studies cited by the Campaign to End Loneliness.
There are many different types of loneliness, and you can be alone without feeling lonely or feel lonely without being alone.
However, companionship care is focused on ensuring someone feels connected to the rest of the world, that they matter and that they keep being sociable, as this will not only help in the moment but ensure they can make new friends and forge new relationships.
Boosts Cognitive Resilience
Progressive conditions such as dementia can be slowed through regular social interaction, as that stimulates almost the entirety of the brain in one way or another.
Conversations with a companionship carer boost active listening skills, open dialogues which stimulate cognitive reasoning, boost memory and keep conversational skills sharp.
All of this helps to reduce the risk of dementia, which often causes the sections of the brain not being used to shut down faster.
Helps With Mental And Emotional Health
Mental and emotional support are significant parts of care, and a major facet of the role of many carers, including companionship carers, is to support not only personal care needs but also help with mental health.
A companion care visit is something to look forward to, a motivation to get ready for the day and can provide a mental boost.
Having a sympathetic ear to talk to, to voice worries and anxieties that they may not feel comfortable talking to their doctor or children about, can help reduce depressive feelings and stress.
Everyone needs someone to talk to and to share parts of themselves with, and a non-judgemental companion can sometimes be the best place to start.
Maximises Quality Of Life
For people who can take care of themselves but find certain tasks difficult, it can be easy to reduce your routine to match that reduced energy.
This can mean staying in the same room, eating basic meals that require little to no preparation and neglecting hobbies and friends due to fear of leaving that safe place.
Having a companion carer can not only help with socialising by providing transportation, physical assistance and emotional support, but it can also be encouraging.
Knowing that there will be someone coming to say hello, make a cup of tea for, or go out for a walk with, can make all the difference when it comes to quality of life and independence, in the same way a home carer and adaptations can help someone live independently.
How Can Companionship Care Bring Families Together?
Companionship care can help to bring families together by changing the care dynamic between father and child.
Family always wants to take care of family, but for working adults, it can be difficult to find the time to visit your father every day, particularly if you live far away from them.
A companionship carer not only helps to ensure they are not lonely and isolated, but also can help to make it easier for families to meet up, and does not mean that every meeting is at the father’s home.
