Sometimes It Takes More Than Medicine
In addition to having clients in my companion care business who are originally from America, I have clients who are
Hungarian, Czech, Sri Lankan, French, British, Indian, and other nationalities. The most common quality among this diverse base of clients that must be addressed for them to continue to live independently—for those whose medical conditions will allow it— is loneliness. In my experience, loneliness can, many times, kill a person’s will to live more quickly than most medical conditions.
Seniors who treasure living independently need a companion with whom they can relate, at least for a few hours per week, at the first sign that loneliness is beginning to take the joy out of their lives. This is particularly true for those who have recently lost a spouse or who may be facing a new, but serious medical condition. A compassionate and mature companion giver will not only help them by caring and sharing time with them but will help keep them from becoming more depressed and caught up in the “woe is me” syndrome which almost always precedes a decline in their will to live.
Fortunately there are a few companion care givers in the Dallas area who can help! Although typically they are small and independently-owned, the right companion care givers will offer a customized plan and provide care givers matched to the personality of the senior so that a good rapport and friendship is achieved.
Shogher Ainsworth, Owner, Companion Care for Seniors
Articles
She couldn’t help but smile as she fondly recalled her fiercely independent godmother recently chastising her son for not getting her a car of her own. Yes, her godmother had always been a strong woman and, even though now 84 years of age, she valued her mobility and freedom. But what would she do now with the need for recovery, rehabilitation, etc., after falling and breaking both hips? With family members busy with work, young children and other limitations, how could she ensure that her godmother had the necessary support she needed?
Maximizing Independent Living for Seniors by Addressing Their Loneliness
The Key to Keeping Seniors in Their Own Home
Unfortunately, many of us are likely to face this dilemma sometime in the not too distant future. Who can provide the help for these seniors who would be better off living in their own homes? Many elderly parents and loved ones will not be ready for the drastic life-change of moving to an assisted living facility or nursing home, but they may not be able to live totally independent lives at home. In those instances, what are our choices?
As occurs with many seniors today, loneliness was my godmother’s most serious issue. When loneliness is not addressed, the best medical and general health care can be of little practical value. How many of us have moved a loved one to a group living facility only to watch their will to live wither away? Unfortunately, there aren’t many options today for those seniors who, like my godmother, love being in their own homes and living independently.
The “best medicine” often is having a warm, loving person with whom they can communicate, and a companion to brighten their outlook and help them confront whatever issues they must.
Small, independently-owned companion care givers offer one- on-one attention to their clients’ emotional, as well as physical, needs. Caregivers are matched to their customers so that a good rapport is achieved between the elderly person and their helper.
Companion care, as a completely non-health-related service, is, with few exceptions, being offered only by the large healthcare companies. These are the same companies that provide nurses, physical therapists, and other licensed healthcare services for patients at home. These behemoth organizations have enormous overhead and all kinds of licensing requirements, which not only prevent them from providing this service at a reasonable price, but also force them to send someone who has very limited “companion care” skills. In most instances this person is usually young, paid near minimum wage, and has very little life experience for this task. Therefore, more often than not, this would not be the kind of person with whom an 84-year-old would be able to relate in any meaningful way.
Fortunately there are a few companion care givers in the Dallas area who can help! Although typically they are small and independently-owned, the right companion care givers will offer a customized plan and provide care givers matched to the personality of the senior so that a good rapport is achieved. The customized plan typically will include, but not be limited to: caring companionship and conversation, help with errands and doctor visits, help with special diets and meal preparation, planning and hosting celebrations, help with bill payments and mail, etc., and, perhaps most important, a loving friendship.