As your parents and beloved family members age, it can be very difficult deciding with them what is the best course of action to ensure that they are happy and healthy in their senior years. A lot of people feel guilt over their relationship with their aging parents, even though they’ve often done nothing wrong. But we look at other cultures, and how things used to be, and we think we should just live with our elderly parents; one great big family under one house.
That sounds great in theory, but it’s not always practical. For one, many of us don’t even live in the same city as our parents. Furthermore, we have our own responsibilities to look after, finding a house big enough is difficult enough, and hey, who said our parents want to live with us and our families anyway? So what should we do?
Keep in touch
If you’re taking the time to read this, then this probably goes without saying, but don’t be neglectful. We all want to spend as much time with our parents and elderly family members as possible. And so we should. But “as much as possible” is not always good enough.
Seniors are perhaps the demographic most at risk of isolation. This is something that affects seniors of all races and resources. Retirees don’t need to leave the house as much and, not to be morbid, but many of their friends and siblings might have passed away or are otherwise unable to socialize much. This can lead to isolation and loneliness. These feelings are compounded for seniors who are single or widowed. We all want to provide enough companionship for them, but we rarely can. So what’s the best thing we can do?
Companion Care
This where companion care can help. Long before our parents and elderly loved ones ever exhibit physical symptoms that require help or healthcare, we should consider getting them companion care. Companion care helps seniors meet their basic socialization needs. The truth is, as human beings, we are social creatures. When deprived of companionship and our ability to socialize, we begin to deteriorate. No man is an island.
So even if we are physically and mentally healthy in every other aspect, we can fall apart if kept in isolation. This is why companion care can be so vital. It might feel odd, at first, for some people to hire somebody to spend time with their parents and elderly loved ones, but it makes all the sense in the world.
Benefits of companion care
The benefits of companion care go beyond staving off isolation and loneliness. For starters, with a care worker stopping by regularly, you’ll know of any deteriorating conditions your parent may have or if there has been an accident of some kind. Furthermore, enlisting the help of a companion care worker opens the door to care work, so if and when more serious care is needed, it is an easier transition. But, of course, by exercising their social skills, seniors have a better chance to stay physically healthy because their mental and emotional health is being maintained, as well. And all of it is provided in-home!
Contact us
If you have any questions about Executive Home Care’s companion care services, or any of our other services, please contact us today.