Companion care is non-medical support built around one simple idea: having someone there. A companion caregiver visits on a regular schedule to provide conversation, company and help with everyday routines for someone who spends much of their time alone.
What a companion caregiver does
- Talks, listens and keeps someone company during the day or evening
- Shares activities the client enjoys: reading, games, puzzles, hobbies, walks when appropriate
- Provides company at mealtimes and can help prepare simple meals
- Helps keep daily routines on track with friendly reminders
- Accompanies the client on errands and outings, where arranged
- Keeps the family informed about how things are going
Who companion care helps
It is often the first kind of help a family arranges: for a parent who is physically capable but isolated, for someone whose spouse has recently passed, for a person who no longer drives and has lost touch with friends, or for a family caregiver who needs regular, predictable time away. Loneliness has real effects on wellbeing, and a familiar visitor several times a week can change the shape of someone’s week.
How it differs from other care
Companion care is distinct from personal care, which involves hands-on assistance with activities such as grooming, dressing and mobility, and from home health care, which is medical care provided by licensed clinicians. Many clients begin with companionship and add personal care later if their needs change; a good provider will talk with the family openly about when that makes sense.
Getting started
A companion care arrangement usually begins with a conversation about routines and preferences: what the client enjoys, what time of day help is most useful, and what the family wants to be kept informed about. From there, a regular schedule is set, and it can be adjusted as everyone learns what works.
Need help determining what type of home care may be appropriate for your family? Call Home Care For All at 646-526-2648.