Companion Care Services on Cape Cod: How Companionship Affects Health

As people get older, they tend to get increasingly isolated. For young children, social interaction is endless—at school, with family, and with friends. For seniors, the landscape looks very different. At Visiting Angels^® Cape Cod, we know how important companionship is for seniors. Our companion care services don't just offer relief from physical tasks around the home—we also provide conversation and meaningful social contact for our clients. 

We know that companionship can have a significant impact on health, both mental and physical. Let's review. 

How Companionship Can Benefit Health Outcomes 

For seniors living alone on Cape Cod, there are very few opportunities for social activity. Companion care services offer one opportunity for interaction, although there are others. Here's what this kind of regular companionship can do:

• Encourages physical activity. As we get older, we start to move around less and less. For seniors in particular, low physical activity makes it easier to lose mobility, flexibility, and strength—all of which are more difficult to regain, once lost. Having a friend stop by or a caregiver visit gives seniors the opportunity to move around and stay active. These actions may be small—getting up, going to the door, and so on—but they're still crucial.
• Alleviates anxiety and depression. Isolation goes hand-in-hand with anxiety or depression. Left to our own devices, our minds can sometimes spin out of control. Companionship can have a tangible impact on these negative experiences. Having a friend, or a person who can provide comforting words at a difficult time, can make all the difference for a senior who's struggling. 
• Offers satisfaction and comfort. More than preventing negative outcomes, companionship offers the chance for meaningfully positive outcomes, too. When we have people in our lives who care about us, or who we care about, it helps to keep us engaged, caring, and interested in the world. For seniors, a caregiver can even make it easier to engage in favorite activities or long-forgotten hobbies—bringing satisfaction and purpose to every day. 

Get Started With Companion Care Service on Cape Cod 

When you need companion care services, you can always count on Visiting Angels Cape Cod. We visit seniors living in: 

• Yarmouth
• Harwich
• Barnstable
• Orleans
• Falmouth
• Chatham
• Dennis
• Hyannis
• And throughout the surrounding area

We know how important it is to have friendship, conversation, and laughter. Our caregivers offer a friendly face and a listening ear to those who need it most. 

What to Expect From Our Companion Care Services 

Wondering what forms of support your loved one can receive through our companion care services? Our companion caregivers are ready to help out in numerous ways, all depending on your loved one's current abilities and needs at home! As these needs change, we can also adjust their flexible care plan to ensure they always benefit from just the right level of support.

Here's a quick look at some of our most popular companion care services on Cape Cod:

• Playing games and engaging in social activities with seniors
• Providing transportation to social events and appointments
• Going on walks and doing other light physical activities
• Offering support with planning and preparing meals
• Helping out with housekeeping and household organization
• Going grocery shopping and running other errands
• Providing reminders about medications and doctor's visits

How We Choose Our Companion Care Providers 

We take care to hire individuals who have a passion for helping seniors enjoy the best quality of life possible. Our care providers serving the communities on Cape Cod are all thoroughly vetted, and additionally go through extensive background checks. We prioritize those with a history of community involvement and senior home care knowledge. You can always trust that your loved one is in safe and caring hands when you turn to us to help you find just the right companion caregiver!

When Is It Time to Get Started With Companion Care Services on Cape Cod?

It can be difficult to know whether it's time for your loved one to get started with companion care services, but there are definitely some red flags to watch out for. For example, if they seem a bit down and socially isolated, it's possible that having the regular companionship of a care provider could be a mood boost. In addition, if you see that their cupboards are empty, they have bills piling up, or clutter is presenting a fall risk, they might need more help around the house than they're letting on.

It's also important to evaluate how you feel as their family caregiver. If your care duties are preventing you from finding balance in your life and taking care of your own needs, now may be the right time to get started with care. Additionally, if worries about your loved one are clouding your mind, you'll rest easy knowing they are receiving high-quality support at home on Cape Cod.

Get started with companion care services for your loved one. To set up a consultation, call Visiting Angels Cape Cod today.