Companionship Services: Everything You Need to Know

Companionship Services: Everything You Need to KnowAre you worried about loneliness or an elderly loved one becoming isolated in your absence?

Elderly people often become house-bound and lose interaction with other people when their normal caregivers are absent.

Many families consider companion services in these situations. However, one companion service can differ greatly from another.

We’d like to explain what companionship means to us and how we shape our services around these values.

The below information should answer most of your main questions about hiring a private companion for an elderly relative.

What is a companionship service?

In its simplest form, companion care is home care offering non-medical services to older adults or people with disabilities.

Unlike “personal care” or “home help”, there is generally no help with bathing, dressing, or managing medication. The purpose is to provide company, emotional support, and friendship.

As such, companionship services involve much more than simply providing a living, breathing body next to your loved one. The caregivers are there to supplement the care and emotional support usually (or previously) provided by family and friends.

To us, there is a strong element of understanding, compassion, and friendship in companionship care. There needs to be meaningful interaction and warmth. There should be an emotional bond.

How companion care works

Because of the emotional bonds that are key to companionship care, we first assess your loved one to understand what their interests, likes, and dislikes are. As caregivers, we seek to understand their personality and what makes their eyes light up!

Then we match what we find with the best-suited companion carer on our staff, who will be appointed as the main companion carer for you or your loved one. This ensures true companionship for your loved one for as long as it’s needed.

Companion care visits can be conducted entirely at home, in a care home, or while taking a walk. It’s up to the condition and preferences of your loved one. It can even involve playing cards or other games together if that helps.

After each visit by one of our caregivers, the family will receive a report within 24-48 hours. sharing:

  • What they talked about
  • How your loved one was feeling

  • What they ate

  • Their general state of well-being

Benefits of companionship services

Companionship services can provide many important benefits for both the family and a loved one who lives alone and rarely get out of the house.

Your elderly loved one will:

  • More regularly engage in meaningful conversation
  • Enjoy more social interaction

  • Feel less lonely or isolated

  • Form new friendships

  • Remain more mentally active

  • Enjoy a better quality of life

For you:

  • Peace of mind that there is someone engaging with your loved one
  • Respite care to allow you to spend time where it’s also needed

  • Regular reports about the mental and physical wellbeing of your loved one

How much does companion care cost?

Companionship services at All About Seniors are charged at $30.00 per hour + GST.

There is a two-hour minimum visit for these services.

Companion care is available in Calgary and the surrounding area, including Okotoks, Cochrane, Airdrie, DeWinton, Chestermere, Strathmore, Langley, Bearspaw and Crossfield.

Contact us today. We’re happy to answer all your questions!