Companionship Care is care essentially designed for those who may be at risk of loneliness or who have been lonely for some time, and is available for both young and older or elderly people. Companionship care services can be intermediated by a Companionship Care Agency, but the professional companion may also work independently.
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Typically, Companionship Care is given at the client’s home as a starting point. The companion can be considered a kind of professional “buddy” or “social worker” who will spend time with their client engaging in activities and providing company, conversation, fun and entertainment, and emotional support with the goal of helping their client to maintain a happy, independent, and stimulating life.
Hence, the idea is not so much that the companion performs complex medical tasks or personal (health) care for their client. However, depending on the proficiency of the companion and the client’s needs or wishes, they may also be able to provide a practical helping hand, thereby combining the tasks of a companion, homemaker, and classical caregiver.
For instance, they may be able to provide typical caregiver tasks by supporting their client with medication administration and give support with personal care and routines, such as going to the toilet, bathing, or getting dressed.
In addition, they may also provide homemaker tasks, which includes activities like preparing meals and sharing the meal with the client, help with or actually do the shopping needed, accompany their client as a travel companion, or help with domestic tasks like cleaning and laundry.
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As a rule, a companion should be a “match” with the person they will help, for instance, by having the same interests or hobbies and having a personality that aligns with the client’s character. Simply said, it’s important that there’s “a click between them” and the connection or relationship should be as empathetic, natural, and harmonious as possible.
Companionship Care can be supplied in a scheduled way, for instance for just an hour per week or so, overnight care, several days per week, or in the weekends, but there are even options for so-called live-in companionship care services, which involve that a companion lives with their client in their home. The latter option is the most complete offering, meaning that the companion is basically available for 24-hour care.
Live-in care may be needed in more dire situations, such as for clients who suffer from dementia, physical disability, or physical frailty, have palliative needs, or have loved ones that live too far away or aren’t able to visit on a regular basis.
