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Companionship care is often overlooked – but it has many wonderful benefits and outcomes for those who access it far beyond the social enjoyment it provides. Often people only seek external support when care needs become more apparent, but companionship care can be preventative and holistic in that it extends a person’s social network and improves quality of life and general wellbeing in many different ways. Because of this, companionship care can be truly life-changing.
Here we take a look at four of the most powerful (yet overlooked) benefits of companionship care.
What is companionship care?
Companionship care is a versatile type of care offered to people with low-level care needs, disabilities or advanced age. As the name suggests, it offers companionship but also so much more in terms of supporting a person’s practical and emotional needs. Features of companionship care can include:
- Support with daily living tasks such as cooking and cleaning
- Travel and transport, for example to an appointment or supermarket
- Accompanying a person to social events and hobbies such as sports, cinema or the theatre
- Days out
- Exercise or going for a walk
- General companionship – chatting, watching favourite TV shows together
- Help and encouragement with social engagement
You can read more about companionship care and what it involves here.
Who is companionship care best suited to?
Many different people can benefit from companionship care.
Although typically we tend to think of care being exclusively reserved for older people and those with medical needs, companionship care is versatile and can be beneficial for many different people with different needs. This can include young adults with learning disabilities, people with long-term illness or in recovery and the elderly.
Benefits of companionship care
1/ Maintain independence and live in your own home for longer
One thing many people are concerned about is having to move out of their own home and into a dedicated care facility as they age, or if medical needs cause them to need additional support. Understandably, most people want to continue to live in their own home.
For older people in particular and those with disabilities, companionship care allows them to maintain independence and remain living at home by themselves, ensuring they can keep their usual routine, stay close to friends and family and enjoy life as they did before.
2/ Stay safe
Safety is understandably a concern for many people who may be vulnerable, especially if they are living alone. For families, leaving an elderly or unwell person at home alone for extended periods can be a real worry, especially if their loved one has dementia or learning disabilities.
Companionship care helps the person to stay safe and well, as someone is regularly visiting them and spending time with them. This means they are more likely to prevent illness and falls, as well as talking to them about and protecting them from potential dangers and threats.
3/ Get social
Although companionship care has many features and benefits, one of the main roles of a companionship carer is social engagement and encouragement.
It’s harder to meet social engagements as we age and become less mobile or require transport – and for those living with long-term illness or disability, socialising both with friends and attending gatherings or events can prove tricky. With a companionship carer by your side, you can get out and about more and meet more people. They can support both with the practical side of things (getting you there, helping you with mobility concerns) and the emotional side – for those who struggle with shyness or may have become socially withdrawn.
These could be social gatherings with friends or local groups, or you could spend time one on one with your carer attending events and activities you enjoy such as the movies, a concert or football match.
4/ Support emotional and mental health
Loneliness and isolation are serious issues which affects over 1.4 million older people in the UK. Although more people report feeling alone or separated from others now than ever before, statistics show that feelings of loneliness disproportionately affect the elderly and people living with a disability or illness.
This is one of the most important and well-known benefits of companionship care – the friendship and social interaction it provides.
A companionship carer may simply spend a few hours sitting with you, talking about your favourite things over a cup of tea. They may listen to your concerns or worries. They can encourage you or support you with tasks around the home. There are many benefits to this regular social engagement, from improved physical and mental health to helping you to stick to positive and healthy daily routines.
Compassionate companionship care from ComfortPlus
At ComfortPlus we’re dedicated to providing empathic, sensitive care at home tailored to your individual needs. Our philosophy brings care right back to basics, starting with firm foundations of compassion and genuine concern. Our care professionals are handpicked for their friendly personalities, skills and experience, matched with you to ensure you receive care from someone you have a real connection with.
Interested in companionship care? Get in touch with our team today for more information and support.
