Companion Care vs. Personal Care

Companion care and personal care are very similar services. Both provide assistance to aging adults who need a helping hand with various activities in their daily lives. Depending on the service provider, companion care and personal care can be almost identical, so it's helpful to have a core understanding of these two options before you start comparing providers so you can ask the right questions during your search. Ultimately, you'll need to get clarification directly from the caregiver to understand the details of what they offer and how their services may suit your loved one's needs.

What is Companion Care?

Companion care provides older adults with much-needed companionship and emotional support. Approximately 37% of older adults report experiencing loneliness, and 34% feel socially isolated. This isn't solely an emotional problem — social isolation also increases patients' risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, anxiety, and depression. Companion care focuses on alleviating isolation and loneliness to better protect and promote patients' mental, emotional, and physical health. 

Companion care also provides support with everyday activities and may include:

• Light housekeeping including laundry and dishes
• Assistance with personal hygiene tasks such as bathing and toileting
• Transportation to doctor's appointments
• Meal planning and preparation
• Medication reminders
• Social companionship through conversation, games, reading, and other activities
• Transportation to social events such as activities at a local senior center or faith-based group
• Mental stimulation through crosswords, memory games, or similar activities

What is Personal Care?

Personal care services focus on helping individuals with activities of daily living (ADLs), which are the basic tasks necessary to take care of oneself and one's home. One study found that over 20% of people who need help with ADLs have inadequate assistance. Personal care providers can also sometimes assist with basic medical care, such as taking vital signs and administering medication, though this isn't always the case as they may need to be specially trained or licensed. 

Personal care may include:

• Assistance with bathing, showering, toileting, and grooming
• Assistance with dressing
• Help with mobility and transferring
• Meal preparation and feeding
• Medication reminders

Key Differences and Similarities: Companion Care vs. Personal Care

Companion care and personal care are extremely similar. In some cases, these services are nearly identical, so it's important to get clarification from the service provider to make sure you understand the full scope of the offerings for companion or personal care. In general, companion care focuses more heavily on social and emotional support while personal care places a greater focus on physical health and ADL needs. 

Personal care providers are more likely to have medical certifications or training, though they are not typically nurses or licensed healthcare professionals. If you need a provider who can administer medication, you will need a specially certified personal care provider. Companion caregivers may have advanced training as well, but their education usually focuses more on providing companionship to promote your loved one's psychological health. These caregivers are usually well-versed in providing compassionate, empathetic care for aging adults with conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer's, which require a gentle touch and mindful response.

Deciding the Right Type of Care for Your Loved One

Assess your loved one's needs carefully to determine what type of care is most appropriate for them. Personal care is the best option if your loved one:

• Has significant ADL needs, such as feeding
• Needs someone to remind them to take medications
• Requires assistance moving around their home

Companion care is a good place to start if your loved one:

• Suffers from loneliness or social isolation
• Needs help with light housekeeping tasks
• Benefits from encouragement and reminders for their ADLs

Someone with a robust social circle who simply can't drive to their activities or shower and dress themselves independently is a good candidate for personal care. As mentioned previously, make sure your provider is properly trained and licensed for any medical care or medication administration that they need.

If your loved one is lonely, struggling to maintain their home or hygiene habits, and suffering from issues such as dementia or loss of mobility, companion care is an effective option. Many companion care providers provide nearly all the services of a personal caregiver. Companion caregivers can assist with toileting, bathing, grooming, meal preparation, and transferring in and out of mobility devices. A personal consultation and interview with prospective care providers will give you more information on the specific offers from each company.

How To Transition Smoothly to Companion or Personal Care

It's best to transition to companion or personal care slowly. This is especially important if your loved one is suffering from dementia. Have the provider start with unobtrusive tasks such as meal preparation. When possible, caregivers should take time to get to know their patients to make them as comfortable as possible before progressing to more personal services such as assistance with showering and toileting. If the patient has a well-established daily routine, explain this to the caregiver so they can maintain the familiar as much as possible.

Families should work to form a relationship with the caregiver so everyone can work together as a team. Both personal care and companion care providers can monitor patients for signs of worsening dementia, loss of appetite, and other issues. Though these caregivers are not healthcare professionals, they may suggest that the family make an appointment with a doctor if they observe any concerning symptoms. 

Speak openly with your chosen provider about the transitional phase as soon as you set up services. Many caregivers have an established plan for easing the transition to regular care. Discussing this topic early will help everyone know what to expect and make sure your loved one feels comfortable. 

Learn More With Visiting Angels

Navigating the differences between companion care and personal care can be difficult. Visiting Angels Asheville offers complimentary consultations to thoroughly explore your needs so we can make a well-informed recommendation. We offer a variety of home care services that can provide your loved one with emotional support to alleviate feelings such as loneliness, physical support with ADLs and mobility, and mental support for concerns such as dementia. Contact us to learn more about how we can integrate our services into the life of your loved one.