Elderly Care: Companion Care Vs. Personal Care
Many questions arise when determining your aging loved ones care needs and the answers can vary as much as the unique day-to-day condition of an individual. Todays post will explain two basic types of care: companion care and personal care.
What is senior companion care?
Basically, companion care is not hands-on i.e., no medications and no assistance with ADLs (activities of daily living). As the name implies, companion care offers companionship to a senior who doesn’t have the same access to the social activities he or she once did. In short, companions are good for people who are self-sufficient but may want a little company or someone to run errands with, etc.
Studies show that social isolation has many ill effects on the elderly. As such, mentally stimulating activities such as playing games and engaging in lively conversation help give elderly people a link to the outside world that has diminished as they have slowed down, either in old age or due to a debilitating condition. In some cases, companion care can even prolong or prevent the need for long-term care.
What is personal care?
Personal care is usually completed by a Certified Nurse Assistant who can give medications, assist with ADLs and provide hands-on care. Assistance with all necessary personal care needs are met for seniors who are unable to complete them on their own, from getting up, getting dressed and taking care of personal hygiene to eating, drinking, administering medication and going to bed, etc. In short, personal care assistants are hired by an individual or family when a person is no longer self-sufficient and needs help with day-to-day living.
Which one is best for my loved one?
It depends on personal needs of your loved one. It’s best to consult with a senior care provider who will work closely with you and your loved one to determine which option is best, or perhaps a combination of several different options.
Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system.
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