Many people, particularly older adults, do need help with day-to-day tasks. There is, though, a growing body of compelling evidence that suggests companionship, kindness and friendship have similarly meaningful impacts on quality of life and even life expectancy, which means care isn’t just beneficial for people with ill health or age-related conditions.
Research has shown that 60% of people deemed ‘severely lonely’ saw tangible improvements in their medical well-being when provided with companionship care, and separate reports have linked isolation with faster cognitive decline, showcasing how essential this type of support really is.
Hidden Impacts That Loneliness Has on Health and Well-Being
Our understanding of what loneliness is has evolved; it’s not solely an emotional experience but a sometimes serious symptom that correlates strongly with physical health and mental well-being. Prolonged loneliness that turns into isolation is associated with faster decline, depression and even conditions like heart disease.
Organisations such as Age UK have reinforced what we as carers know, loneliness can have devastating impacts on otherwise healthy people, with the data showing that:
- Almost a million people aged 65 and above in the UK describe themselves as often lonely
- 270,000 go a week at a time without talking to a friend or family member
- Persistent loneliness can trigger a downward spiral where a person gradually loses the ability to care for themselves
Companionship isn’t, therefore, a service that is tagged onto home care, but a critical component of a holistic care approach that protects the well-being of care recipients, safeguarding their mental, physical and emotional safety.
What Is Companionship Care and How Can It Help?
Professional carers deliver a wide range of support services depending on the needs and preferences of each individual or family. There are also specialist elderly companionship carers who focus on emotional support rather than the more functional aspects of care.
In most cases, a blend of companionship and personal or domiciliary care is ideal, where carers build trust with the people they care for and often develop longstanding relationships, helping with household chores and daily tasks like dressing and bathing, while also providing a listening ear.
Companionship support, whether with or without additional care, can have profound outcomes that include:
- Reduced feelings that a person is becoming isolated or has been forgotten
- Improvements in confidence, self-esteem and a sense of purpose
- More frequent participation in community events and social groups
- Supported emotional well-being with the ability to express wishes, concerns or worries in confidence to ensure these are addressed
Carers might visit a person at home on a regular schedule, drop by at mealtimes to ensure the individual has a healthy, hot meal and isn’t eating alone, or help them attend religious services or clubs to maintain connections with friends.
For older adults or those living with health conditions, companion care can enable them to live independently at home for longer, particularly if they are physically capable of living autonomously, but need reminders about medications and the assurance that they’ll always have a friendly face to look forward to seeing.
The Role of Companionship Care for Families and Caregivers
At first glance, companionship services benefit the care recipient, but they also offer powerful reassurance to families and loved ones who are juggling conflicting responsibilities or are constantly anxious about whether a relative is safe and well.
It is common to assume that care only becomes necessary when a person has a medical diagnosis or mobility issues, or when they’re not able to manage all of their day-to-day tasks and personal care routines, but equally common for family members to live with ongoing stress about whether a loved one is coping.
Family caregivers can rely on companionship carers to fill the gaps when they cannot be there and have the peace of mind that visits are scheduled on alternate days when loved ones can’t attend in person, which can act as a form of respite care.
There is no eligibility standard or criteria for organising companionship care, and introducing a support system can prevent a person’s health from declining faster than it otherwise might, protect their mental health over the long term, and ensure families can go about their routines without the pressure or trying to be in multiple places at once.
Advice on Arranging Companionship Care for Yourself or a Loved One
As with all types of home care, it is important that the individual be involved in care decisions and be comfortable with a companionship care attendant in their home, and this is why we recommend a friendly chat with one of our local care managers or coordinators, with everyone involved present.
This is an opportunity to discuss what support the person would like and feel happy with, how care visits should be arranged, and what types of activities, personal care or practical support would be welcomed.
Depending on your needs and wishes, that could involve a blend of domiciliary care and companionship care, a specific number of care visits or hours a week or month, or flexible care where we’ll update care plans as necessary to ensure we’re always up to speed with how we can support you and your loved ones.
The takeaway is that health isn’t solely clinical; emotional and social well-being are just as important and have just as significant an impact on outcomes. By taking action to combat loneliness, prevent isolation, and ensure older adults are engaged and supported in their own homes, we can tackle the problem of loneliness head-on.
Families interested in learning more about companionship care services, whether alone or as part of a wider care package, can learn more about different types of care through the detailed guidance on the Guardian Angel Carers website or can contact their local team to arrange a convenient time to talk.