How Important is Daily Companionship for Elderly Adults?
Few family caregivers want their elderly relative to spend hours alone or wish they had someone around to help them when they need it.
Many seniors enjoy living alone but may struggle to successfully manage every task surrounding personal care, housekeeping, and emotional and social interactions. A daily companion can make the difference between an elderly adult staying safe and comfortable and getting physically or mentally harmed.
Family caregivers may want to spend as much time as possible with their elderly relative, but other things may get in the way. Jobs, school, children, and other duties compete for a family caregiver’s time, and they may be forced to leave their aging relative alone for long periods of time. If the elderly relative is dependent on someone else, this can create dangerous and unhealthy situations.
When Is a Daily Companion Necessary?
With age comes a range of illnesses and health conditions that make it hard for seniors to live independently. Some of the more common health issues are arthritis, diabetes, COPD, stroke, muscular dystrophy, congestive heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. When elderly adults are no longer able to take care of personal issues like dressing and hygiene, or things around the house like laundry or meal preparation, it’s time for a daily companion.
Family caregivers may notice certain clues that let them know a daily companion like a senior care provider may be needed. Some of the most common clues include dirty dishes and laundry piling up, or when seniors neglect personal hygiene. Other clues include a lack of social interaction, mood swings, forgetfulness, a sudden change in personality or small bruises and scrapes on the senior’s body. All these can indicate that the aging adult’s physical abilities are in decline and inspire family caregivers to hire a senior care provider.
How Do Senior Care Providers Help?
Senior care providers are professional and experienced in assisting aging adults with all they need to do to get through the day. It can be very stressful and overwhelming for seniors to think about how they will get through the day at home, simply doing the basic daily tasks needed. With a daily companion, they are relieved of that stress and can focus on the activities they can do. It’s often a relief for family caregivers to hire a senior care provider because they know their elderly relative has a daily companion to rely on.
Senior care providers can help with morning readiness duties such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. They also excel at light housework, laundry, and meal preparation. Being a daily companion means that they engage the aging adult with social interaction and even manage some light entertainment, such as watching movies, playing cards, doing crafts or taking walks. In short, senior care providers give emotional support and physical assistance to aging adults who can’t be on their own for long.
If you or someone you know needs Home Care Services in Foley, AL, please contact the friendly caregivers at Hughes Home Care. We provide quality and affordable care for your elderly loved ones in our community. Call Us Today 251-517-9901. Serving Mobile & Baldwin County.
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