Sometimes elders may need medical care, while other times, non-medical caregiving is required

What is the right option for the Elders; Companion Care or Personal Care?

Sometimes elders may need medical care, while other times, non-medical caregiving is required. Most of the time, the need is for non-medical caregiving as the medical experts already give the prescriptions and suggestions on how to take care of the elders. Then the non-medical caregivers can assist by remembering the details and taking care of the elders' requirements.

Once you start looking for caregiving options for your elders, who may or may not have heard how many types are there and how to differentiate between the two, i.e., the medical in-home caregiving options and the non-medical in-home care. You may try to find which non-medical in-home caregiving option is the best for your elders who need a minor or significant level of care.

The two important options in the non-medical care include:

1. Companion Care
2. Personal Care 

You may have heard about these two options for similar responsibilities, and you may have known these terms to be interchangeable. But the truth is that there are a few variances between these two in-home caregiving options.

To make sure you or your family member, when deciding the in-home caregiving support, selects the right option for your elderly loved one. In this case, a pro analysis may help. It will help by increasing the understanding level, which will lead to a far better decision.

Companion Care for Elders with Crucial Needs

Companion care is a non-medical in-home care solution that assists aging and disabled individuals with daily tasks. This form of help generally includes social and emotional aid, and it can help with the following chores and activities:

·         Companionship
·         Light housekeeping and errands
·         Transportation
·         Communicating with family members and the care team

These activities are explained briefly below:

Companionship:

Situations vary from time to time. Sometimes you can be there for the elders, while you may find yourself too busy to manage everything. So if you find yourself not available to be there for your elder, it is important to make sure that you have an alternative.

The elders must always have a companion with them to increase lots of issues, including improving their mental health. They may not say it but having someone to rely on is mostly, if not always, important.

The alternative, in this case, is hiring a caregiver.

Caregivers who have joined Private Elderly Care by subscribing to our website can assist elders in overcoming social isolation and finding happiness via a meaningful connection through getting involved in their hobbies, exercise, much-needed discussions, meal times, and other activities. "Companion caregivers" can also plan enjoyable activities or social trips for their clients.

Light housekeeping or simple errands:

Even if they don't have any major physical limitations, many older folks may struggle to keep up with cleaning and chores. Companion care workers can help with light housekeeping activities or duties, such as:

·         Taking clothes for laundry/washing or taking seasonal garments to the dry cleaner’s

·         Doing dusting, mopping, sweeping, vacuuming, etc.

·         Shopping for the groceries or supporting the meal preparation

·         Purchasing medical supplies or any other care supplies when needed

Driving and/or Transporting:

Driving to/from appointments for older persons can be stressful, and navigating public transit on their own can be problematic. Companion care providers can arrange for secure transportation to bring them to wherever they want to go in a timely and safe manner.

Communicating with family members and care teams

Even though companion caregivers cannot provide medical treatment, they may keep an eye on the health and well-being of your elders and alert you to any issues that need to be addressed during a doctor's appointment. When performing all companionship duties, a caregiver can contact you for quick medical aid if your dear elder falls or has a genuine emergency.

Please note that companion care does not include medication management or direct physical support with everyday chores such as clothing, showering, or toileting.

Personal Care for Elders with Special Needs

Personal Care is everything we just discussed above and more. It means that a Personal Caregiver will be performing all the duties performed by the companion care provider. But, a personal caregiver will also provide assistance to the elders in need with the ADLs. ADLs or Activities of the Daily Life include basic bathing and grooming activities. The following responsibilities are included:

·         Helping the elders in the toileting

·         Bathing or giving them hair washes and/or body wash separately

·         Grooming and taking care of their personal hygiene

·         Helping them in wearing the selected dress

·         Assisting the elders in their mobility like taking them on a walk or helping them off the bed etc.

·         Feeding them by considering their likes, dislikes, and medical recommendations

A brief description of these responsibilities is provided below:

·        Toileting:

Many elders require assistance in going to the washroom but are shy to ask for aid. Personal care providers can comfortably provide discreet service for them.

·        Bathing:

Bathing may be challenging and risky for older people, especially if they have any physical disability. Personal caregivers can assist the elders in bathing safely and comfortably. They may also suggest safety-related items like a bathing chair or safety rods on the sides of walls that the elders can hold to avoid falls.

·        Hygiene:

Grooming and sanitation necessities, such as shaving, haircare, skincare, cosmetics, as well as oral and dental care, are all handled by personal caregivers. Ensuring personal hygiene is essential, and Private Elderly Care caregivers know this.

·        Dressing:

It's possible that older folks may have trouble dressing themselves. Personal caregivers aid with dressing on a daily basis while letting your elders maintain autonomy regarding their individual styles.

·        Mobility and transfer assistance:

A personal caregiver is an excellent resource for elderly persons who have trouble walking alone. They can assist your elderly loved ones safely navigating rooms, avoiding falls, and transferring them from the sofa or bed.

·        Feeding:

Personal caregivers can aid elders who may be having trouble feeding themselves. The caregivers can feed the elders and cook for them according to their needs and doctor's recommendations. Meal preparation is part of personal care.

Personal caregivers could also assist elders in remembering to take their prescriptions at the appropriate times.

Personal care is excellent for older adults who have cognitive or physical problems or who need extra physically demanding care.

Now that you have gone through both types of in-home caregiving options, you have to make the final decision to select.

Selecting the Right Type of in-Home Care Services for your Elders

Although both solutions assist older individuals in safely and pleasantly aging in place, these are not quite the same.

·         Companion care is suitable for elders who mostly want social help but might gain from some modest housework or errand aid. 

·         Personal care is for seniors who need direct physical help, have substantial mobility issues, or have serious health problems like diabetes or dementia.

Make sure to talk to your beloved ones about the kind of care they could require. It may be simpler to adapt if their opinions are considered while selecting a caregiver.

We, PEC coordinators and customer support providers hope that you may have gotten the answers you were looking for. Still, you can contact us if you need assistance in any additional query or support regarding the choice between these two caregiving options. Our Private Elderly Care representatives will help solve the issues to the best of our knowledge.

You can also book a consultation for in-home care. If you find yourself interested in looking into our support or want to talk to our empathic coordinators, call us at our provided contact number.