Changes in the health and well-being of our aging loved ones can happen overnight. Or these changes can happen in small ways as each day passes. If you are noticing your loved one could use a little more help with daily living and are considering in home care services, the kind of care will depend on the level of assistance needed. Will your loved one require Personal Care or Companion Care? What is the difference between Personal Care and Companion Care?

Companion Care

Living a long and healthy life requires more than just good medical care. Companionship is integral to a happy mind and a happy life. Companion Care includes everything from sharing stories, playing games, to assistance with household chores. Other Companion Care activities may include:

• Doing puzzles
• Reading assistance
• Playing or listening to music
• Running errands and shopping
• Going out to eat or to a park
• Light housekeeping
• Laundry
• Accompanying to and from doctor visits
• Meal preparations
• Connecting with family and friends through video calls and social media

Personal Care

As we age, we may find it difficult to perform day-to-day activities. Some of these activities we may not want to ask family members to assist with. Personal Care provides more hands-on care. It covers the same activities as Companion Care, while also providing more physical assistance for your loved one.

Those activities may include things like:

• Dressing
• Personal grooming
• Eating
• Bathing
• Toileting
• Assistance with mobility
• Transferring

Hiring a Caregiver can help your loved one remain independent in their homes longer and allows you to receive the extra support you need. The level of care can change as your loved ones needs change.