Care for senior citizens often focuses on the more obvious physical needs.

However, emotional support is often neglected. Losing one’s independence can be a traumatic experience and negatively affect someone’s quality of life.

That’s why companions are so important in the health of seniors.

In this post, we’ll look at the emotional value of companionship and why it’s important.

Companions Help Seniors Avoid Loneliness

One of the primary concerns among older adults, supported by numerous studies, is loneliness.

Loneliness - no matter if it’s the result of a loss of independence - can be expressed in the forms of social anxiety, addiction, hoarding, and death, according to AARP. Further, one study found “a significant relationship between depression and loneliness,” and that the correlation was found in both men and women. Authors of another study wrote that “closeness between caregiver and patient seems to be a key factor in determination of the long-term outcome.”

In short, the mere presence of a companion suggests that older adults can live happier, healthier lives.

Seniors Can Maintain Some Independence

Just because seniors opt for home care doesn’t mean they have to lose their independence entirely.

People who require a companion can still remain in charge. They’re still living in their own home, they can still perform their regular daily activities and routines, and they’re comforted by the photos, pets, and even furniture that provide positive feelings and memories.

These factors will help contribute to a better experience for patients.

Companions Help Seniors Reduce Stress

Although it sounds counterintuitive, independence can actually be a stress factor for older adults.

Things like getting in and out of the shower, cleaning one’s home, and getting groceries are all common concerns for seniors.

A companion can alleviate some of this stress for seniors by offering a helping hand with tasks like:

• Cooking or arranging meals
• Managing money
• Providing healthcare services, such as picking up medicine from the local pharmacy
• Running errands, like getting the mail

These are tasks that seniors can delegate to companions so that they can focus on activities that they treasure most. Plus, seniors’ dependency on companions can increase exposure to other people and reduce the likelihood of loneliness setting in.

Companions Help Ensure Safety

In addition to mitigating loneliness, companions also help ensure seniors’ safety by performing these tasks.

That way, seniors reduce their risk by venturing out in inclement weather, for example.

Seniors could also communicate with companions via technology, whether it’s a phone or another emergency alert device, to ensure safety.

After their loss of independence, seniors can rely on companions to help them live their best lives. Companions help older adults avoid loneliness, maintain some independence, reduce stress, and ensure safety.

Find out how our services help seniors do just that by contacting us today.