BackCOMPANIONS OFFER KEY SERVICES FOR PEACE OF MIND
Article submitted by Stacey Reich-Benjamin, LCSW of At Home Companions. At Home Companions has extensive experience in helping qualified Veterans and their spouses in securing financial reimbursement to pay for personal care. She can be reached at 201-525-0607 or visit the At Home Companions website at: www.AtHomeCompanions.com
For many seniors, the presence of a dedicated companion several hours a day can mean the return of freedom, greater independence, and a sense of well being and safety. A companion can provide relief to family members who are juggling their own families, careers, and the additional responsibility of caring for an elderly relative. Not only can companions provide the help needed with the activities of daily living, but also companionship itself, a necessity to those seniors who have limited social interaction.
Faced with the care of an elderly relative, family members often feel that there is no alternative but to assume the responsibility of their day-to-day care. The family caregiver can quickly become overwhelmed by the additional responsibility, leading to stress and feelings of resentment. The person receiving the care experiences guilt and diminished self-worth for shifting this burden on to a loved one. When considering alternative care choices, most seniors don't want to leave their homes, except as a last resort. A companion can be the perfect solution, providing necessary peace of mind for all.
Companions provide medication reminders, respite care for family caregivers, meal preparation, light housekeeping, grocery shopping and errands, along with transportation that gives an otherwise homebound senior the freedom to shop, enjoy social events, and attend appointments eliminating the isolation that many experience.
Often the cost of home care is a barrier to families who could greatly benefit from even just several hours a day of care for a loved one. Families need to look into the options available to them to help pay for care such as, long-term care insurance, reverse mortgage and financial planning options, along with government programs. One program that has enabled home care for Veterans is the Aid and Attendance Pension accessed through the Veterans Administration. Home companion companies that have the client's needs as their first priority will be able to help you to understand and qualify for these options.