“Care That Makes a Difference in Your Life.”
Oftentimes just a little help at home is all that is needed. It could be someone else in the home for safety or to help with the tasks of everyday living. Companion and Homemaker Services provide the essential support necessary to help individuals remain at home without the worry of having to leave or of being alone. It gives the family peace of mind knowing that someone else is nearby. Companion and Homemaker services are meant to:- Improve nutrition
- Reduce the feeling of loneliness and increase confidence
- Improve the sense of belonging
- Increase personal comfortIncrease satisfaction with quality of life
Homemakers/Companions are specially trained and supervised Home Care Aides that assist with the fundamental daily living tasks, other than personal care, such as:
- Light housekeeping including laundry and linen change
- Shopping and errands (grocery store, prescriptions, post office, etc.)
- Meal preparation including restricted and culturally sensitive diets
- Dressing and getting ready for the day (no personal care)
- Accompanying to appointments (doctors appointments, beauty salon, medical testing, etc.)
- Socialization and companionship
Companion and Homemaker services are for people who can attend to their personal care needs, but find comfort in having someone around or doing household chores that are difficult to maintain.
Why are Companions and Homemakers important?
- The National Long-Term Survey by the Brookings Institute found that 58% of the people 85 years old and older were considered disabled.
- The National Institute of Health reports that 60% of fatal falls of people age 65 and older happen at home.
- Half of all older adults hospitalized for hip fractures cannot return home or live independently after the injury and 20% will not survive more than a year.
- A Report of the U.S. Senate stated, “85% of the older population has one or more chronic conditions that have been documented to benefit from nutrition interventions.”
- A 1993 national survey by the Nutrition Screening Initiative (750 doctors, nurses, hospitals, nursing homes and home care agencies) reported that one in four of their elderly patients suffer from malnutrition.
- Malnourished older Americans get more infections and diseases; injuries take longer to heal; surgery is riskier; and hospital stays are longer.
When is Companion/Homemaker Service needed?
- When just a little help around the home would improve the quality of life for someone.
- When just a little help around the home will make it possible for the person to remain living independently.
- When you would feel better if someone were regularly checking on a loved one.
- When you feel the need for relief of the constant demands of caregiving.
- When you know an elderly person who is forgetful or has no help at home.
