5 Ways Companion Care Can Help Your Senior Parent

If your mom or dad is living alone and you suspect they’re lonely, it’s not your fault. You can’t provide all of the social connection that your senior parent needs. But companion care at home can help. If your mom or dad has companion care at home they will get regular home visits from a companion that they can trust and have fun with so that they aren’t lonely.

Companion care at home is a type of home care that focuses on making sure seniors are getting all of the social engagement they need to be physically and mentally healthy while living alone. A companion will share meals with your mom or dad, play games, and do activities with them so that they don’t get bored and lonely.

Companion care at home is much more than just having someone check on your mom or dad on a regular basis. Some of the ways that companion care can help your senior parent are:

1. Engaging in Meaningful Conversations

One of the most important tasks a companion performs is spending time talking with your senior parent. They listen to their stories, ask questions about their past, and share their own experiences. These conversations give your mom or dad a chance to express themselves and feel valued.

Having someone to talk to regularly is crucial for mental well-being. It provides cognitive stimulation, which keeps the brain active, and helps seniors stay connected to the world around them. This regular interaction can also prevent feelings of sadness or anxiety that often come with prolonged isolation.

Your mom or dad may be more inclined to talk to a friend or care provider than their adult children about things that are bothering them because they won’t want to feel like they are burdening you with their problems.

2. Playing Games and Puzzles

Companion care providers can play games, do puzzles, or encourage your mom or dad to do other brain-stimulating activities. They may also work on creative projects, such as painting or crafting.

These activities stimulate cognitive functions, such as memory and problem-solving, which are important for maintaining mental sharpness. They can be fun and challenging for your senior parent and encourage them to use their cognitive skills.

3. Assisting with Technology Use

Many seniors want to stay in touch with loved ones but struggle with using technology. A companion caregiver can help them learn how to use devices like smartphones, tablets, or computers. This might include teaching them how to video chat with family members, send text messages, or browse social media.

4. Accompanying Seniors on Walks or Outings

Getting outside the house is another way companion caregivers help reduce loneliness. If your mom or dad is physically able to leave the house a companion can go with them on short walks, or sit with them outside to get fresh air and sunshine.

If your mom or dad isn’t able to go for a walk a companion may play games with them indoors like balloon volleyball or beanbag toss so that your mom or dad gets some movement and light exercise.

5. Helping with Daily Routines and Activities

Companion caregivers also can help your mom or dad with activities such as cooking, light housekeeping, or organizing personal belongings. While these might seem like simple tasks, doing them together creates moments of connection and shared purpose.

If you or an aging loved one are considering companion care at home in Ellinwood, KS, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts at Home Central Kansas today. Call 620-603-0685.

Touching Hearts at Home Central Kansas is a Trusted Home Care Agency Barton, Dickinson, Edwards, Ellis, Ellsworth, Great Bend, Hutchinson, Larned, Lyons, Marion, McPherson, Newton, Pawnee, Rice, Reno, Salina, Sedgwick, Stafford, and the surrounding areas.