It can be difficult serving as a caregiver for your elderly loved one—especially if you have a full-time job or other family members to take care of. Beyond the physical assistance they might need—with preparing food, eating, or bathing—you also want to help them emotionally. However, there’s no rule that says you have to do it alone. Nowadays, home health aides and professional companions for the elderly are available to spend time with your relative while you’re away, providing them with the following benefits.

How Do Seniors Benefit From Companionship?

1. Improved Mood

Humans are social creatures by nature with some research showing that face-to-face interactions help us better handle stress and feel more positive, due to the release of oxytocin and dopamine in our brain and the suppression of cortisol. This attitude can, in turn, bolster our physical health.

2. Enhances Cognitive Skills

Studies show there are many steps older people can take to reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s. Along with eating right and exercising, they are also encouraged to seek out opportunities to socialize to keep their cognitive faculties sharp. While this is difficult for seniors who are largely confined to the home, in-home health care provides ample opportunity for socialization as the caregiver addresses other essential needs. 

3. Provides Peace of Mind

While you would like to visit your loved one as much as possible, it might not be easy if you live far away or have a hectic work schedule. Having a caregiver visit on a regular basis gives your family member something to look forward to each day while also offering assurance to you that he or she will be taken care of when you’re not there. 

The right caregiver will possess practical knowledge and training, while also taking a compassionate approach to clients. Backed by more than five decades of experience, the in-home health care team at Advantage Home Health & Hospice in Poteau, OK, strives to offer their clients the best service possible. They provide companionship and support your loved one with daily tasks and chores, but these caregivers are also equipped to provided advanced nursing care and medical assistance. Visit them online to learn more about their available services or call (918) 647-0653 to schedule a visit today.