Benefits of Companionship for Your Senior Loved Ones

Research suggests that seniors are more likely to feel lonely and socially isolated than their younger peers because of fewer opportunities to interact with others. This is especially true for seniors who live on their own at home.

If your aging loved ones are among those who prefer staying at home, it may be time to avail of companion support from Serenity Senior Care. Our companionship services can benefit your loved ones in several ways:

• Longer lifespan

  Recent studies show that regardless of any underlying medical conditions, aging adults who are socially isolated have a higher risk of premature death. By availing of our home care services in Bloomfield, New Jersey, our caregivers will be able to provide social and emotional assistance to your loved ones, which helps fight depression and isolation.

• Lower risk of dementia

  Seniors who spend time with others on a regular basis have a lower risk of developing dementia. Maintaining meaningful relationships with our caregivers means that your elderly loved ones can stay mentally active and alert.

• Peace of mind

  Your senior loved ones may begin to lose mobility and physical strength as they age. With our excellent senior care in New Jersey, you will not need to worry about their health, especially in times of emergency.

Factors to Consider in Choosing the Right Companionship For Your Senior Loved Ones

1. Safety and comfort – Does the person seem safe around your loved one? How do they act or react to certain situations?
2. Language – Do they speak your senior loved ones language better than you do?
3. Pay rate and time commitment – How much will they charge, are their rates competitive to other companionship agencies in the area, is this someone who takes on a lot of responsibility as a caregiver by being there round the clock, or does their pay rate change based on caring for an individual who needs supervision?
4. Training and experience – Are they well trained with all the basic needs of their senior loved one?
5. Check on Use of Medication – Does the companion know how to check on use of medication and be able to deal with any emergencies that may arise in the home as a result?
6. What is their attitude towards food and drinking? How might this affect your loved one’s health and ability to live independently?
7. Are they aware of any special care requirements of your loved one?
8. How flexible are they? Does this person need to be away from your loved one for long periods of time? Do they need to spend holidays with their own family?
9. How will they handle all day and night needs of your loved one such as taking them to the bathroom, changing their clothes, and overall dealing with all the moments that make up everyday life?
10. What is their availability like?
11. Do they check in often with the family or are they just a phone call away 24/7?
12. Does their mannerisms, language or demeanor seem appropriate to your loved one?
13. Does this person understand any special needs that may be present in your loved one?
14. Are they a good listener? Have they heard of any of the challenges your loved one faces each day and have they been able to offer some ideas for improvement or solutions on how to prevent those challenges from happening in the future?
15. Does their level of compassion for your loved one match your loved one’s level of compassion for this person?

How Soon Should I Get a My Senior Loved One a Companion?

The ideal time to get your loved one a companion is before he or she needs one. While it’s not always possible to predict when a senior’s physical or cognitive abilities will start deteriorating, certain changes in behavior should be cause for concern. For instance, when someone becomes more withdrawn and prefers to spend time alone than with others; or if they become more easily agitated, less verbal, and have mood swings. These are just some of the signs a senior person may be headed for a decline.

While you can’t predict when a senior will need a companion, you can think about the issue now. Then, when the time comes that he or she needs one, you will be ready to act quickly. And when your parent is happy and healthy, they’ll appreciate your forethought.

The more isolated the senior is, the more important a companion becomes. People who live alone, or even seniors who live with others, but don’t socialize or interact with them, may benefit from the companionship of a caregiver.

Keep in mind that your loved one might not be ready for a companion yet. Maybe they feel fine and are able to care for themselves and their home. Before choosing a companion, you might want to assess how independent your loved one still is. Look at what tasks he or she can handle alone and what chores need someone else’s help.

Aside from companion support, our licensed nurses are also qualified to provide nursing care in New Jersey at your convenience. We are aware that each patient requires different types and levels of care, so we customize our services to cater to their needs. Schedule a free consultation with us.