Companion Care in Lubbock, TX: What Does a Companion Caregiver Do?

When you start to notice your loved one struggling to complete chores, begin to forget meals or to stock up the fridge, or maybe even struggling with loneliness and lacking socialization you may want to consider Visiting Angels companion care.

Companion caregivers are available to assist older adults continue to age in place at home while staying safe and comfortable. A caregiver is able to complete essential caregiver duties around the home for your senior; some of these senior care responsibilities include:

• Emotional support and socialization

Two of the most common effect on seniors are depression and social isolation, so many families rely on the dedicated emotional and socialization support of caregiver through companion care.

Caregivers can also help provide extra socialization for seniors who are unable to be around family frequently. Companion care can provide caregivers that will serve as a friendly acquaintance to be active with, discuss hobbies with, or participate in favorite games or activities.

• Housekeeping

With our aging adults is common for household work to become difficult and overwhelming. When using companion care your loved one can have the extra assistance needed to lighten their workload around the house and avoid the possibility of straining themselves from reaching too high or bending down too low.

Caregivers are available to assist with daily household chores such was sweeping and mopping floors, clearing and cleaning kitchen counter/tables, and running the laundry and washing dishes.

• Meal preparation

You can rest assured that your senior doesn’t miss any meals and constantly has a stocked fridge and pantry. Companion caregivers can help with meal prepping, cooking meals, and packaging up leftover to be eaten when needed.

Most aging adults are placed on special diets or nutrition plans by their doctors; plans could be low-fat or low sugar for example. Companion caregivers can be there to make sure your loved senior understand their plans as well as the plan is followed.

• Errands and shopping

To-do lists are another option you can have your senior’s caregiver assist with—especially if your senior has trouble remembering to pick up necessary medicines or personal items regularly.

Whatever level of assistance your senior need, your companion care caregiver will be there to assist safely. Whether the task be pushing a cart, mailing of envelops, or picking up items from hard-to-reach spots.

• Appointment and activity scheduling

Scheduling and verbal reminders of upcoming event are also available options for your senior. Companion care caregivers are trained to schedule necessary appointment (haircut or doctors’ visits) and helping keep your loved one connected with friends.

• Transportation

Traveling to and from appointment and errands can be challenging for many seniors, especially for those who are unable to drive anymore. A caregiver is available to provide your loved one with public or private transportation.

• Communication with care team

Caregivers that work companion care are not able to provide medical assistance, however they are able to monitor your senior’s well-being and remote any unusual changes to you immediately or to a medical health professional. Usual changes could be, but are not limited to missing meals, personality changes, or if a fall were to occur.

Companion caregivers also do not assist with dressing, bathing, toileting, or medication management. If you or your senior think these types of assistance alongside companionship is need, please reach out to Visiting Angels to discuss bringing in a personal caregiver. Our Visiting Angels care coordinators are available to discuss your loved one’s needs during a free home care consultation.

If you're interested in more information about how in home care can help your senior loved ones, contact Visiting Angels Lubbock at 806-758-7588.