Companionship Care
When we think about care for an elderly parent or relative, we often focus on help with practical tasks like medication, washing, or meals. But there’s another type of support that can be just as important – companionship care.
What is companionship care, exactly?
Simply put, companionship care means having someone there who genuinely cares about spending time with your loved one. It’s not just about checking they’ve taken their pills or had lunch, it’s about sharing stories, having a laugh together, or enjoying a cup of tea and a chat.
Unlike other types of care that focus mainly on physical needs, companionship is all about connection, conversation, and emotional support. It’s about making sure your loved one doesn’t just survive each day, but actually enjoys it.
Why companionship matters so much
We all know how it feels to be lonely. For a few hours, it’s bearable. For days or weeks on end, it can be crushing. Many older people in the UK spend day after day with little or no human contact.
Age UK reports that over 1.4 million older people in England are chronically lonely. This isn’t just sad, it’s actually harmful to health.
When someone has regular companionship:
- They smile and laugh more
- They often eat better (meals are more enjoyable with company)
- They tend to be more active
- Their mood improves
- They feel safer and less anxious
- They have someone to look forward to seeing
One client told us: “The carers are pleasant they feel like a friend who support me to get out and do the things I like and enjoy.“
What happens during companionship visits?
Companionship care is about doing whatever brings joy to your loved one’s day. This might include:
- Chatting about family, memories, or current events
- Playing card games or doing puzzles together
- Going for walks in the local park
- Watching favourite TV programmes
- Looking through photo albums
- Help with hobbies like knitting, gardening, or baking
- Trips to local shops, the library, or a café
Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that mean the most, just having someone really listen can make all the difference.
How companionship helps physical health too
You might be surprised to learn that companionship doesn’t just help emotionally, it can actually improve physical health as well. The NHS recognises that loneliness can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Regular companionship has been linked to:
- Lower blood pressure
- Better sleep
- Stronger immune system
- Reduced risk of dementia
- Faster recovery from illness
As the saying goes, “a problem shared is a problem halved” – and this seems to apply to our physical health as well as our mental wellbeing.
Finding the right companionship care
When looking for companionship care for your loved one, consider these tips:
- Look for a service that takes time to understand your loved one’s personality and interests
- Ask if the same person will visit each time (consistency is important)
- Check if companions are DBS-checked for safety
- Find out what training companions receive
- Ask about flexibility – can visits be on different days or times if needed?
The Care Quality Commission provides ratings for care providers across England and can be a helpful resource when researching options.
How to get started with companionship care
If you think your loved one might benefit from companionship care, here are some next steps:
- Contact your local council for a care needs assessment: Find your local council
- Reach out to charities like Age UK who often offer befriending services
- Contact Certified Care to arrange a non-obligatory care assessment
- Check if your loved one qualifies for Attendance Allowance through GOV.UK
- Consider organisations like The Silver Line, a free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people
Making life better, one conversation at a time
At the end of the day, companionship care is about making sure your loved one still feels connected to the world around them. It’s about ensuring they have something to look forward to each day, someone to share their thoughts with, and regular moments of genuine human connection.
As one daughter told us about her mother’s companion: “Mother enjoys the visits of her carer and they have brightened up her life. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to others. Carers are genuine and understand the needs of confused elderly.“
If you’d like to learn more about how companionship care could help your loved one, the NHS website offers comprehensive information about different types of care and support available.
Remember: good care isn’t just about meeting physical needs. It’s about nurturing the whole person, and companionship is a vital part of that approach.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Unlike care focused mainly on physical needs, companionship is all about connection. As mentioned in our article, it’s not just about checking they’ve taken medication, but about sharing stories, having meaningful conversations, and providing emotional support that makes each day more enjoyable.
Family visits are invaluable, but as we noted, over 1.4 million older people in England experience chronic loneliness. A dedicated companion provides consistent support between family visits, bringing fresh conversation and regular social interaction that complements your time together. Many families find this actually improves the quality of their own visits.
Absolutely. As highlighted in our article, the NHS recognizes loneliness can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Regular companionship has been linked to lower blood pressure, better sleep, and even reduced risk of dementia, turning those everyday conversations into powerful health benefits.
As described in our “What happens during companionship visits” section, companions engage in whatever brings joy to your loved one, from chatting about memories, playing card games, and going for walks to helping with hobbies or taking trips to local shops. It’s personalized to their interests and preferences.
Follow the tips in our “Finding the right companionship care” section: look for services that match based on personality and interests, provide consistent visits from the same person, ensure proper background checks, and offer flexibility. The right match, as we mentioned, can transform someone from “just sitting in a chair all day” to “being back to their old self.”
