Companionship
It’s no secret that the majority of older adults contend with some form of physical challenges. It is an understood, albeit sometimes frustrating part of aging. Not to be overlooked, however, is the mental and emotional strain that often comes with being a senior. As reported by the National Institute on Ageing (NIA), “as many as 41 percent of Canadians aged 50 years and older are at risk of social isolation and up to 58 percent have experienced loneliness before.”
Reporting on the 2023 NIA study that discovered these findings, Katie Dangerfield of Global News informs that “while most older Canadians report they have a network of family and friends they can count on, more than four in 10 are considered to be socially isolated.” She notes that loneliness is becoming an epidemic.
Having a companion can help to mitigate the problem of loneliness.
“Thank you for being a friend” is an especially popular lyric from the theme of the sitcom, “The Golden Girls”. The hilarious comedy, starring four older women, started each episode with those special words. Having a companion in our later years is a pretty clear way to battle isolation and loneliness. As Origin Active Lifestyle Communities tells us, companionship helps seniors to feel less lonely and more connected to the world around them.
“According to a study published in the Journal of Gerontology, seniors who have regular social interaction are less likely to experience cognitive decline and have a lower risk of developing depression,” reports their website.
Companionship can work wonders for one’s physical health.
In addition to improving a person’s emotional well-being, having a companion can also help one to feel better physically. Even youngsters often need encouragement to hit the gym or simply take a walk in order maintain healthy weights. This is what makes “workout buddies” so popular. With a companion, a senior will be a lot more likely to engage in light exercise. Having someone to go to the mall or visit a local park with is an excellent way to keep fit and healthy.
“A senior with a companion is much more likely to stay active and mobile,” agrees London, Ontario’s Senior Home Care by Angels, “Whether it is getting outside for a walk or doing daily movements indoors, having the moral and physical support of a friend makes it much more enjoyable. There is also less opportunity for a senior to slip or fall when they have the helping hand of a companion available to them.”
We happily offer companionship to seniors!
At Senior Homecare by Angels, we proudly offer one-on-one Companion & Personal Care. Our Companion Care offers a carefully selected, certified caregiver (an “angel”) who will visit a care recipient’s home three to four times a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Each visit is for three to four hours can include light housekeeping, meal preparation, exercise support, and joyful companionship including great conversations.
Through socializing and establishing interpersonal connections, professional and meaningful companionship has been shown to reduce loneliness and isolation in seniors, which in turn reduces the negative health impacts that isolation can cause. Companion home care services can differ from provider to provider, and at Senior Home Care by Angels, it’s one of our specialties.
Our Personal Care plan provides an angel who visits the home five times a week, Monday through Friday for four to five hours a day. In addition to the previously-mentioned tasks, she can assist with such activities as bathing, dressing and other hygiene assistance and much more. To learn more, please don’t hesitate to call Senior Homecare by Angels at 403-862-0129 or if outside of Calgary, toll-free at 1-877-209-6142. You may also visit our Contact Us page to complete and submit a simple contact form!