How can I find companionship for my older loved one?

Not all home care searches on Autumna are for personal care, many people are simply looking to find some companionship.

Working together with our partners at Companiions, Autumna has created this short guide to help you understand the options available, which might be best for your situation and what your next steps might be.

Read on for more information about:

What is the difference between companionship and care?

Where can I find people who provide companionship?

Where can I find good home care agencies?

It can often be challenging to know what kind of care your older loved one might need, especially as their requirements will change over time.

In some cases, a helping hand is all that’s needed. In others, more formal care might be the best plan of action.

What is the difference between companionship and home care?

Companionship:

Companionship can cover many things, from helping with household chores, doing the weekly shop, or even just walking the dog together.

Generally, there is no personal care involved. Companions can be there to lend a watchful eye and fend off loneliness by, for example, swapping stories and sharing hobbies and interests.

Good companionship offers practical and emotional support to those who need it – not just for older, more vulnerable people, but to those struggling with illness or recovering from surgery, busy or first-time mums and dads, or people who’ve just moved into a new area.

We all need a little help now and then, after all.

Home Care:

Home care, care at home, or in-home care, as some like to call it, is when the support needed extends beyond what is offered by companionship. For example, if the person being cared for needs help getting dressed, washing themselves or perhaps taking their medication.

In these cases, a registered carer is needed who will offer much the same as you would expect from companionship but with this extra level of support. Their visits will revolve around the specific needs of the person they’re caring for.

If your loved one cannot get by without support, you are likely in need a registered in-home care agency. If, however, your loved one can get by, but a friendly face and an occasional helping hand would benefit them, then companionship could be the best option.

It should also be noted that in-home care and companionship are not mutually exclusive.

If your loved one needs a registered carer for certain aspects of their day-to-day life, such as when they shower or take their medication, that does not mean they cannot also have a companion to help them prepare dinner or simply chat with them in the evening.

And whilst there is a current shortage of care workers, a combination of home care and companionship might be the ideal solution to give a loved one the full support they truly need.

Where can I find people to who provide companionship?

The search for the companionship is not always easy, especially if you’re not sure where to start. A new app from Companiions though may well be able to help.

Companiions has been set up to provide a simple way to arrange in-person, on-demand assistance and companionship at prices ranging from £12 - £25 per hour.

You can download the companiions app and sign up to arrange companionship for a loved one, or even yourself.

Where can I find good home care agencies?

If you need assistance in finding the best home care agencies for your particular needs, then Autumna’s online directory is probably the best place to start.

Every registered in-home care agency in the UK is listed on Autumna, but to narrow things down for you, just answer some quick questions here and get a free shortlist. It will be handpicked by our care advice team and sent through to you.

Autumna supports over 2.5 million care searches each year, not only for home care, but for care homes and assisted living developments all over the UK.

Working alongside Companiions and with its directory of over 26,000 care providers, Autumna takes the stress out of your search and helps you reach the right decisions quickly.