With all of the different types of care available for seniors and family caregivers, it can be confusing to determine which ones are the right ones. Companion care at home can be especially confusing because of the types of assistance it offers. But are personal care and companion care the same?

What Is Personal Care?

Personal care at home focuses primarily on offering hands-on help for seniors with personal care tasks. These types of tasks include daily activities that are necessary to maintain health and hygiene. Some examples include changing clothes, mobility support, and toileting needs. This type of home care is about helping with specific needs to keep seniors comfortable and safe as they age in place.

Companion Care at Home Defined

Companion care at home is very different from personal care. This type of care isn’t about hands-on help at all. The focus is on emotional support and social engagement. Companion caregivers might watch movies with seniors, talk with them, play games, and engage in other recreational activities. This type of care is very flexible and can be an easy way for seniors to get the mental and emotional stimulation they need on a regular basis.

Differences Between Types of Care

Seniors who need companion care at home are typically more independent in terms of their daily activities. They may not need much or any help with getting tasks done that support their needs. Personal care does include direct assistance with specific tasks. Seniors who rely on personal care at home may have physical limitations or face chronic health conditions that make these daily tasks difficult.

Choosing the Right Care for Seniors

When family caregivers are considering different types of care for the seniors they love, they need to be aware of the differences in those types of care. It also helps if they have a solid understanding of what their seniors need. Sitting down to have a conversation about what is working and what isn’t can be a great first step. Seniors who live alone and feel isolated may realize right away that companion care at home is perfect for solving that problem. Keeping seniors involved in those care choices is empowering, so it’s good when they can make the final decision about what to try.

What About When Seniors Need Both?

At some point, seniors may feel as if they need both types of care. They may be having more difficulty keeping up with personal care tasks, and they also enjoy having companion caregivers available to talk with. A blend of these types of care may be a good fit in that case. Seniors may only need help in the morning with grooming tasks, for example, but enjoy having companion caregivers stop by in the afternoon. The real answer lies in what aging adults need and how these different types of care can meet those needs.

Navigating different care options doesn’t have to be difficult. Understanding the differences helps a lot, and ensures that whether seniors need companion care at home or another type of care, they’ve got access to the tools and resources that are best suited for them.

If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Laurel, MD, please contact the caring staff at Care At Home today. 301-970-9706

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Ann Smith RN

Owner at Care at Home

Ann Smith, RN, Realtor® Your local Home care and Home transition expert Ann is a Registered Nurse and a Realtor with a passion and dedication to serving her community. She has over twenty years of nursing experience in pediatric, geriatric, home health care, and care management. She founded Care at Home, a home care company, to provide seniors with services that promote independence and safe aging in place. Ann is dedicated to helping seniors achieve stress-free retirement living by providing comprehensive services from health to home. Ann's mother instilled in her the value of hard work, dedication, and service to others at a young age, which is now a driving force in her home care agency. Her caring and compassionate work with seniors began when she was just 17 years old. She was offered a job as a caregiver. Just as quickly, she instinctively knew that this would be her life's work. She soon became a nurse and has since helped many older adults transition seamlessly into a new phase of life. While helping seniors and individuals with their home care needs, it became apparent that part of the transition process often involved selling their current home for more suitable living arrangements. That's when Ann decided to add real estate services to alleviate stress and enhance her client's experience. It's also how she became known as the Home Transition Agent. Today, Ann helps her mature clients achieve stress-free retirement living by providing in-home care and comprehensive services from health to home. Ann's love for children and dedication to helping families caring for children with chronic health conditions inspired Pediatric Care at Home, a division of Care at Home that provides pediatric nursing care. Ann and her team are dedicated to providing compassionate care to all, from infants to older adults. When Ann isn't busy helping her patients and clients, she volunteers her time at women's shelters and fostering dogs. She and her veteran husband enjoy a simple life in the countryside, where farm animals and country life surround them. Ann also enjoys reading, photography, gardening, and nature walk with their dogs.

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