Companion Care in Largo, MD

Evelyn will tell you she was doing fine on her own, but her family members saw things differently. After her husband’s passing, the house had a newfound silence unlike ever before. Evelyn gave up cooking elaborate dinners because cooking for one felt like too much work. Crackers and cheese most nights, sometimes a can of Campbell’s soup. Her days were spent quiet and alone, and there were some weeks where the only person she talked to was the pharmacist when she called about prescription updates.

Her adult daughter lived out of state, and while she called as often as she could, it was evident that Evelyn was too isolated for her daughter’s comfort. Visiting Angels in Largo provides companion care to seniors like Evelyn in Largo, Maryland since 2001. In fact, senior companionship is one of our most widely-used types of home care.

The Difference with Senior Companionship in Largo

Companion care is a non-medical type of home care that is primarily based on spending quality time with a client at every visit. Our caregiver shows up on a regular schedule, passes the time together in meaningful ways we’ll illustrate below, and helps with the everyday upkeep of the household: meals, running errands, rides around town, a walk around the block when the weather cooperates.

Since every client is different, so too will every companion’s visit! Here are examples of activities our clients enjoy doing with their caregivers:

• Playing cards, dominoes or board games
• Working to complete puzzles
• Crosswords and word searches
• Watching ballgames, game shows or movies
• Cooking and baking favorite recipes
• Browsing at stores together
• Listening to music or podcasts
• Reading aloud or being read to when eyesight makes it hard
• Knitting, model building or other hobbies
• Breakfast or lunch outings to favorite cafe
• Attending local senior center events
• Writing cards and letters to family or friends

Evelyn’s caregiver, Azel, visits her five days a week. The first thing she always does upon arrival is brew a pot of decaf coffee, then the two sit together and discuss their plans for the day. Azel may drive her to the grocery store, the bank, or her hair appointment. They often play Rummy, while Evelyn keeps score on a notepad. Last month, they sifted through three shoeboxes of old photographs so Evelyn could label the backs with the names of her family and friends for her grandchildren.

It’s not big, dramatic work we’re doing. Rather, it’s having something on the calendar again, a reason to get dressed in the morning and a person to spend time with who genuinely wants to hear the stories our clients have to share.

Health Benefits of Regular Companionship for Seniors

There is evidence backed by research that links loneliness in seniors to statistically higher rates of depression, mental decline, heart problems and falls. When you think about it, seniors who spend most of their week alone tend to eat worse, move around less, and simply skip daily activities like showering.

Regular visits from a companion prevents that downward pattern. Not only is there a friendly face to talk with, but our caregivers are trained to notice changes in seniors. Azel caught on that Evelyn was favoring her left knee weeks before she told her doctor about it. And Azel let Evelyn’s family know what was going on as well. We keep families abreast of what’s happening so adult children needn’t carry around constant worry.

Find the Right Senior Companion in Largo

When it comes to matching a client with a caregiver, we take into account their hobbies, interests and personality types. Our team of caregivers are dependable, compassionate and have demonstrated a fondness for being around seniors. Each one has been through our hiring process that consists of background checks, reference verification and a personality screening.

There is never a one-size-fits all schedule, and many clients prefer to start out with fewer hours at first; choosing every other morning or something similar. We would keep the same caregiver paired with a client because the relationship between them is fundamentally the core of the companionship.