An important component of successful aging is having friends. Studies have demonstrated how having close social ties can assist seniors in maintaining both physical and mental wellbeing.
Companion care helps seniors remain independent and foster social connections without professional in-home assistance. But before hiring one, it’s essential that you understand how to choose an ideal companion for your loved one.
Help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Activities of daily living (ADLs) refers to the essential skills and self-care tasks needed for independent living, such as bathing, dressing, eating and toileting. ADLs cover such aspects as bathing, dressing, eating and toileting.
ADLs are vital components of living independently and avoiding more extensive elder care services. Furthermore, ADLs serve as an indicator of both an individual’s overall health status and functional capabilities.
An assessment should take place periodically so that senior can receive the care and assistance they require as quickly as possible, while helping prevent long-term conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s from arising and worsening over time.
An ADL checklist can be an effective way to monitor your loved one’s progress and ensure they are receiving appropriate levels of care. An evaluation may also identify changes in functionality or condition which require immediate treatment.
Help with Meal Preparation
As is well-known, good nutrition is essential to seniors’ overall health and wellbeing, yet planning and preparing meals based on specific dietary restrictions can often be challenging for caregivers.
Caregivers can prepare nutritious, delectable meals that your loved one will savor and tailor them specifically to meet their dietary requirements. Meals might include fruits and vegetables with extra fiber or protein sources to promote overall wellbeing.
Meal prep can also provide companions an opportunity to spend quality time with their aging loved one while forging meaningful bonds. They can work together on planning meals and take turns shopping and storing it away safely.
Sharing meals can help older adults struggling with appetite to rediscover their taste buds and elevate their spirits. If your loved one is experiencing depression or loneliness, creating a special meal for them can be a wonderful way of strengthening bonds while giving them the chance to try new foods or recipes.
Help with Transportation
With age comes associated medical conditions that make driving increasingly challenging for seniors, making transportation vital in maintaining independence and improving health outcomes. Access to transportation can help seniors maintain their independence while improving overall health outcomes.
Family caregivers face the difficult challenge of providing reliable yet cost-effective transportation for their aging loved ones. There are various solutions available from personal aides to ride-hailing services that may work.
Independent Transportation Network America (ITN America), a nationwide non-profit that connects riders with drivers who provide 24/7 door-to-door service in private vehicles. Although these services may not be available everywhere, they could be worth investigating if your aging loved one resides nearby.
Curbside paratransit service can provide an ideal alternative to public transit for elderly individuals who have mobility challenges that prohibit them from using fixed-route bus or train systems, such as limited bus or train systems. Depending on the program they select, they may be eligible to use motorized wheelchairs and/or have assistance getting into and out of vehicles.
Help with Housework
If a senior is having difficulty keeping up with everyday tasks such as cleaning their house or laundry, having someone assist them by doing these chores for them could make all the difference in helping them remain at home longer, and allow their loved ones to spend quality time with them while they’re there.
As seniors age, it can become challenging for them to keep their homes tidy due to health conditions that limit strength and mobility.
An ideal companion should provide light housework such as vacuuming, dusting and dish-washing to free up time for senior to pursue activities and hobbies they enjoy such as reading or socializing with others. This could free them up so they have more free time for activities they love such as visiting with friends.