In-Home Companion Care in Waynesville, NC

Companion care services offer an effective solution for those who require assistance with their day-to-day needs. This can include everything from a social need for companionship to a physical need for help with housekeeping. Visiting Angels of Western North Carolina offers a wide range of solutions for Waynesville residents.

What Is Companion Care?

Companion care is a form of non-medical care that provides assistance to older adults who need a moderate amount of assistance with daily tasks. This type of care doesn't include any medical services such as administering medications, taking vital signs, or formally evaluating the patient's health. However, companion caregivers can pick up prescriptions, provide medication reminders, and transport patients to appointments. These caregivers also stay in communication with the patient's family and can alert them to any concerning behaviors that may necessitate a visit to the doctor. 

Companion care helps older adults manage many of the challenges that come with age, including physical, mental, and emotional hurdles. Caregivers can assist with a variety of conditions, including dementia and mobility issues. It's not always possible for family members to check in and assist as often as their loved ones need in their later years. Companion caregivers step in to fill the gap and can visit as much as the patient and their family desire.

What Are the Benefits of In-Home Companion Care Services?

In-home companion care offers a wide range of benefits for both the patient and their family. At Visiting Angels, we strive to provide the essential peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is in good hands.

Relief From Social Isolation

Social isolation occurs when individuals don't have strong connections with family, friends, or community. This often leads to feelings of loneliness. Loneliness is mentally, emotionally, and physically taxing. Older adults who experience loneliness have an increased risk of anxiety and depression as well as physical health problems, including heart disease and stroke. Loneliness also increases the risk of dementia. In the United States, over one-third of adults aged 50 to 80 years old experience loneliness. 

Companion care services go a long way toward combatting loneliness and social isolation. Individual caregivers perform a variety of tasks that help individuals feel less lonely. They may go for walks, play games, or read aloud to those in their care. Companion caregivers can also help patients combat social isolation by encouraging them to get more involved in their community. Caregivers can provide transportation to social events such as senior exercise classes, library programs, faith-based gatherings, or activities at a local senior center.

Aging in Place

Companion care allows older adults to remain in their homes during their final years. This provides them with a sense of dignity and respect. Patients suffering from dementia can have an especially difficult time. Though dementia inhibits the ability to form new memories, old memories often stay clear. This means that a new environment may never feel totally familiar to a dementia patient, while a well-known environment will continue to feel safe. 

Companion caregivers make it possible for patients to age in place by providing home-based care on a flexible schedule that meets the individual's unique needs.

Respite for Family Caregivers

Many individuals have a family caregiver who can provide a portion of their care. However, it's not reasonable or healthy for a single person to provide for all the needs of their loved one as they age. Half of family caregivers experience increased emotional stress, and 37% suffer from increased physical stress. In fact, 39% of family caregivers say they rarely or never feel relaxed.

Companion care services play a vital role in the emotional, physical, and psychological health of these family caregivers. At Visiting Angels, we offer a variety of scheduling options including occasional respite care visits so family caregivers can remain active and involved while getting much-needed breaks from their duties.

Greater Quality of Life

Older adults who have assistance from a companion caregiver typically enjoy a far greater quality of life. These caregivers help them maintain a clean, well-managed home, prepare healthy meals, and stay on top of their medications. The quality of life improves for family caregivers as well, which makes companion care a smart choice for everyone involved.

Improved Safety

Older adults are more prone to accidents such as falls, especially if they have mobility issues. Those with dementia may wander from their home if not properly supervised. Companion caregivers are trained to spot potential hazards and help patients adjust their living spaces accordingly. This may include repositioning furniture, installing handrails, or adding locks and other security devices to the home.

Available Care Services

At Visiting Angels Asheville, we offer a variety of flexible care services and solutions. Our companion care includes:

• Companionship and socialization
• Assistance with errands
• Meal planning and preparation
• Light housekeeping, such as doing the laundry and dishes
• Medication reminders and prescription pick-ups
• Personal care assistance with tasks such as toileting, bathing, dressing, and grooming

What Are Our Personalized Care Plans?

We understand that every individual is unique and there's no one-size-fits-all solution for their care. Our team at Visiting Angels works closely with each family to develop a personalized care plan that's unique to that patient. We can provide daily care, weekly visits, or occasional respite care to offer relief to a full-time family caregiver.

Our plans evolve along with your needs. If you need more assistance over time, we can easily adjust your scheduled visits to accommodate that. Our compassionate caregivers work with you to make sure that you and your loved one always have access to the services and solutions you need.

Call Us for a Free Phone Consultation Today

If you're interested in setting up compassionate companion care services for your loved one, contact our team at Visiting Angels. We'll schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss your needs and develop a care plan that suits your schedule, budget, and comfort level.