Companion Care vs. Personal Care: What’s the Difference?
Evaluating the different types of senior care available can be confusing. Two of the most popular include personal care and companion care. These services have key similarities and differences, and one may be better suited for your loved one than the other.
Here’s what you need to know about the differences between companion care and in-home personal care and what you can expect from each service.
Personal Care: Activities of Daily Living and Physical Support
Consider everything you have to do in a day to be clean and functional. You may not give much thought to tasks like brushing your teeth, bathing, and dressing, but for older adults, these activities of daily living (ADLs) aren’t always so easy.
Personal care focuses on assisting older adults with ADLs like:
- Bathing or showering
- Toileting
- Mobility
- Hair brushing
- Dressing
- Eating and drinking
- Navigating safety hazards in the home
All of these tasks can be overwhelming for older adults with cognitive and physical health problems. In-home personal caregivers help your loved one navigate these ADLs while keeping them safe and comfortable.
Companion Care: Emotional Support and Acts of Service
Everyone needs someone to rely on for emotional and social support. Companion care addresses a senior’s need for positive interactions. These professionals can come over to assist with household chores and errands or simply to have a conversation.
Companion care is ideal for older adults who need minimal household support. If your loved one is able to complete ADLs just fine but has trouble keeping up with errands and chores, companion care may be right up their alley.
Some tasks companions can help with include:
- Grocery shopping
- Meal preparation
- Cleaning and organizing
- Shared outings to places like restaurants and parks
- Transportation
- Social support
Companions may also advocate for your loved one’s wishes and help them communicate with family members and professionals.
Navigating the Differences
While there’s some overlap between in-home personal care and companion care, considering your loved one’s specific needs can help you choose between these important services.
How to Know What Services Your Loved One Needs
Companion care provides a reliable, trustworthy friend for your loved one to lean on in times of need. Personal care, on the other hand, offers a personal assistant for important daily tasks and self-care.
Think about what your loved one’s daily life looks like now. Do they require extensive help with basic activities like toileting and dressing? Are you providing this personal care at the cost of your well-being? In this case, a personal care professional may benefit your loved one — and you — immensely.
Is your loved one independent and lonely? Do they struggle with not having a companion around to talk to and share household responsibilities with? This scenario likely calls for companion care over personal care.
The Benefits of Each Type of Care
Both personal care and companion care come with advantages that your loved one can enjoy. Additionally, each care type can also relieve family caregivers, offering backup support when you’re not available.
Maintaining Privacy and Dignity
Personal care professionals are experienced in the detailed parts of the job, like changing incontinence underwear and helping with bathing. They can take care of your loved one’s needs with dignity and skill.
Your loved one may want more privacy when they’re around you or other family members. Sometimes, having a dedicated professional who can help with these intimate tasks results in better relationships between seniors and their families.
Relieving Loneliness and Stress
Companion care can benefit older adults whose spouses have passed away or whose relatives don’t live close to them. Everyone needs emotional support, and paid companions provide just that — and a little more.
Their professional companion’s assistance with chores and errands can alleviate significant burdens in your loved one’s life. With this assistance, they no longer have to face everything alone or wait for a family member to come over.
Transforming Your Loved One’s Life for the Better
Every person deserves dignity and support at every age. With companion care and personal care, this is possible for seniors in complicated living situations. You no longer have to carry this responsibility alone as the family caregiver or concerned child of an aging parent.
In-home care is the first building block of an independent, healthy life for every senior who wishes to age at home. By exploring personal care and companion care, you can find the care option that will help both you and your loved one to thrive.
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California.
