To some people, the notion of being cared for while remaining in their home is that this is some kind of inferior alternative to going into a care home and being looked after 24/7. But it is nothing of the sort. All too often, the image of home care is inaccurate.
Of course, there are instances when a loved one needs a level of specialised care that makes it wise to move them into a home, but it is certainly not a case of either/or and those staying at home getting an inferior deal.
Instead, there are some great advantages to staying at home:
· There is the familiarity of surroundings
· A degree of independence can be maintained
· It is easier to keep a low-maintenance pet, such as a cat
· Those staying in their home can be closer to friendly neighbours, other friends and family
How Is Companionship Care Different From Personal Care?
There are different types of home care, but the points above may highlight one thing that remains important to people as they reach the stage when they need care: companionship.
For many, this may be abundantly provided by family, friends and indeed furry friends. But it can also be part of the care package. This is where companionship care comes in.
This is another thing that is sometimes misunderstood, as if it were just about a carer popping round to share a cup of tea and a natter. It is so much more of that – and not just because coffee is available too.
Companion care involves all of the following:
· A major focus on personal and emotional support
· Friendship, sharing meals and preventing social isolation
· The provision of transportation, such as to important appointments
· They can form a link with the family of the person being cared for
· This help can include raising health concerns
Unlike personal care, the role does not include tasks like feeding, dressing, hygiene, bathing and helping with toilet needs.
A personal carer would do this and provide other duties in addition to those given by a companion carer.
What this means is that companion care is suited to more independent people with some needs, but less acute than those of people who require personal care, who are more likely to be physically frail or cognitively impaired.
How Can Companionship Care Improve Quality Of Life?
The key point to understand about companionship care is that it is about so much more than making a cup of tea and practical assistance with a few things.
Instead, it is about introducing a new person to the life of a person needing care that puts the emphasis on quality of life.
That means doing so much more than being practical or helping people simply survive from day to day, but instead bringing friendship, enjoyment, a chance to share new activities and, in a nutshell, enjoying life that much more.
Life is for living from your first day to the last and companionship care can play a huge role in ensuring that you or a loved one is able to do exactly that.
