Preserving Independence
Encouraging your loved one's independence is key to their overall wellbeing and happiness. When daily responsibilities start to become overwhelming and emotionally daunting, having someone who can help identify, encourage and assist with daily tasks in turn, cultivates a safe space for continued independence.
Isolation & Loneliness
Loneliness and social isolation in older adults are serious issues that society tends to ignore, Often, we hope it will correct itself in time, and our loved one will "snap out of this phase", but that does not happen. In a study, it was found that 1/3 of adults over the age of 45 feel lonely and nearly 1/4 of adults over 65 are considered to be socially isolated.
It has been found that social isolation was associated with a 50% increased risk of dementia and other serious medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke, depression and anxiety.
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Depending upon the individual's needs, having a companion scheduled for regular weekly visits can make a huge difference in someone's life. Just like a visit from an old friend, companion care offers engagement, compassion, encouragement and the undivided attention many long for.
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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Opportunities for the Health Care System. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25663external icon.
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Preserving Independence
Who couldn't use a little help or encouragement at home? Perhaps a change in living situation or the inability to drive has made living at home a bit more challenging. Often we focus on what someone can NOT do, I will be focusing on what your loved one CAN do, With encouragement and teamwork, I'm able to offer assistance. Instead of "offering meal prep", I would love to learn from your loved one how to cook their favorite meal as we prepare it together. Rather than doing it for your loved one, my job is to encourage independence as the "student" assisting with family traditions that might need a second pair of hands.
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If transportation is becoming a concern, we will plan that within our day. Grocery shopping, errands, exercise classes, lunch with friends a few towns over or maybe a day trip to the city to check out the new exhibit at the DeYoung. There is no reason why transportation should limit one's interests, connections or pursuit of knowledge.
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The goal of preserving independence is to help facilitate ways for your loved one to pursue their interests in a safe and effective manner—doing so will ultimately help lead them to a higher quality of life.
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