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ENA Care Group
Suite 2 Wentworth Lodge
Great North Road
Welwyn Garden City
Herts AL8 7SR
companionship-care

Companionship care

Live-in companionship care at home

As awareness has grown about isolation and loneliness amongst older people, and the damaging effects this can have on a person’s physical and mental health, the option to have a companion to live-in an elderly relative’s home has become more popular.

At ENA, we provide elderly companion care that is entirely personalised to the individual. Our live-in companions work side-by-side with the person to maximise their independence, choice and control, providing dignified and respectful support in the familiar environment of the person’s own home.

What is companionship care?

The Oxford English Dictionary defines companionship as:
“A feeling of fellowship or friendship.”

This perfectly sums up what our companions offer to our clients. For someone who is living alone, having a companion brings alive the joy of sharing their daily life, whether it’s the mundane tasks or the exciting achievements. A companion also provides the emotional support that is often missing when someone is isolated, and that extra pair of hands when the person needs some help or just wishes to complete an activity with another person.

This quote from Irish poet William Butler Yeats sums up how we view introducing one of our companions to a new client:

“There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met.”

Why is companionship so important?

Loneliness and social isolation within the older generation is a growing issue, with some elderly individuals going several days without social interaction. This can have serious impacts on mental wellbeing, along with many health risks that are associated with chronic loneliness, including an increased risk of heart disease and dementia.

Companionship is fundamental for preventing loneliness and has many benefits, including keeping the mind active, stimulating positive thoughts and practising memory exercises, such as reminiscing. Having a companion ensures there is always someone there to engage in conversation and to provide company for activities that may be overwhelming alone, such as attending appointments or going out for walks.

Who is live-in companionship care suitable for?

Companionship care is for those who are likely to become lonely or feel isolated and are in need of emotional support. Companionship care can be suitable for any age group, but is most commonly required for elderly individuals who live alone and are in need of more face-to-face interactions.

Reasons to consider live-in companionship care

Our clients have many reasons for choosing our live-in companionship care service, including

The person lives alone, often with family members a long way away.
The person has lost a long-term spouse or partner, and is feeling particularly lonely due to their bereavement.
The person is becoming more frail and wants some light support but doesn’t have extensive care needs.
The person may be prone to falls and needs some support to remain safe at home.
The person wants a long-term care package that can go from companionship to supporting more extensive needs as they age or their health changes.

Key elements of ENA live-in companionship care

  • Any assistance the person may need to cook, wash up, do laundry, housework, administration, look after pets or any other domestic tasks that the person needs to do on a regular basis.
  • Conversation, company, friendship, emotional and mental health support to alleviate any anxiety, loneliness or isolation that the person feels.
  • Help with hobbies or activities that the person enjoys.
  • Support to get out and about, including to attend appointments, shop or participate in leisure or social activities. Our companions also support clients to plan holidays, accompanying the person if this is wanted.
  • Support for the person to take their medication regularly, re-order and collect medication, and attend medication reviews.
  • A helping hand with any personal care that the person struggles with, and support to continue with any treatment, rehabilitation, diet or exercise plans that the person is following.
  • If a person is at risk of falls, we will undertake a risk assessment and support a person to move around safely and minimise their risk of falls.
  • Support to maintain relationships with family and friends through arranging social contact, video calls, and celebrating birthdays and other family occasions.

Ultimately, we aim to fit our companionship home care service around our client’s needs. We will ask questions to find out what you are looking for from your companionship service, and of equal importance, what you don’t want a companion to do. There may be elements of your life that you wish to maintain complete privacy and autonomy over, and it’s vital we understand what these are, as well as what you would like your companion to provide support with.

The benefits of ENA live-in companionship care

In-home companionship will mean different things to different people, but some of the benefits associated with having a live-in companion include:

Personalised, one-to-one companionship that enables the person to maintain their own routines, keep their home clean and tidy, and live their life as they wish to.

Increased mental stimulation, someone to discuss things with and have fun with.

A companion who can support the person in doing tasks and pursuits together, rather than the person doing them alone.

Increased social interaction from the person being able to get out and about more than they might manage on their own.

Peace of mind for the person and their family that a trained professional is on-hand to provide support, including spotting any changes in the person’s health and supporting them to get appropriate help. ENA live-in companions keep daily electronic care and medication records, which we can provide access to (with consent) if family members are geographically spread out and would like to monitor the companionship that is being delivered.

A comprehensive, frequently reviewed support plan that is created before our companionship care begins with the full involvement of the person wanting companionship. This plan enables our live-in companion to get to know the person needing care as quickly as possible to ensure the most optimum support is provided from the very first day of our live-in companionship care.

Flexible and sustainable long-term support that can change as the person’s needs change. This removes concerns about having to move into a residential home or a care home in the future.

What in-home companionship care services do ENA offer?

We provide short or long-term in-home companionship and care services. It may be that you are looking for a companion for a couple of weeks to support you in your home whilst your spouse, partner or family member is away, or it may be that you live on your own permanently and wish to have a companion to share your time and space with indefinitely.

If you are unsure if companionship for the elderly is right for you or your relative, you could take advantage of our 2-4 week trial to see if it fits yours or your relative’s needs and expectations.

What is involved in setting up companionship care at home?

As we look to set up your in-home companionship service, we will aim to match you with a companion who shares some of your interests or hobbies, and whose company you will enjoy. We want our clients to feel relaxed and happy with their live-in companion, so compatibility is vital. If, in the unlikely event, you feel your live-in companion isn’t right for you we will aim to find someone more suitable.

We will visit you/your relative to complete an assessment with absolutely no obligation to proceed. During this visit we will create a bespoke care plan, with yours/your relative’s full involvement, and this will be regularly reviewed if you proceed with having our companionship care. Within this plan we will ensure we are fully aware of your wishes and preferences. All of our live-in carers know the importance of never taking over your home or doing more than you would wish for them to do.

To ensure comprehensive and safe support, your companion will be fully trained and vetted to give you complete peace of mind. Many of our companions have extensive experience in providing this type of service, and bring a wealth of knowledge and good practice to their in-home companionship provision.

Is companionship care at home the right option for me/my family?

Companionship care is the perfect solution for anyone who doesn’t want to live alone and would like some light support at home. It’s unobtrusive, flexible and personalised, giving families of elderly individuals reassurance that their relative has professional support at home. We believe in working closely with families (if our clients wish for this to happen) to help everyone remain connected and enable our live-in companions to get to know their clients better.

Companionship care can also bring the joy back to a lonely older person’s life. It can provide opportunities, new perspectives, and give an elderly person a sense of purpose, motivation and the chance to share the elements of their life that they would like to with a caring and supportive companion.

In a world where loneliness is endemic, and ageing is often a byword for isolation, our companionship service is the perfect antidote.

How much does in-home companionship care cost?

The cost of our companionship care starts at £1,200 per week. Many people find it is highly cost-effective compared to a residential home.

Contact us to discuss your companionship care needs

We are always available to help you understand companionship care better and discuss the best home care and support options for you and your family.