Understanding Home Care
If you are looking for non-medical home care for yourself or a loved one, you will come across the terms “personal care” and “companion care.” Do they mean the same thing? And which one would better suit your needs? Here, we look at the differences between companion care and personal care, explaining each service so that you can make an informed decision on the kind of help you need.
Companion Care
Companionship is a basic human need, no matter the age of the person. When people are older or homebound, it can be difficult to meet with friends or spend time doing things they once enjoyed, and having someone to keep them company becomes very important. Companion care provides non-medical services, particularly companionship, and sometimes help with everyday tasks. A companion caregiver might play cards or games with the person, or might help with laundry, provide transportation on errands or to appointments, church, or social events, or assist with meal prep and cleanup, as well as other light house cleaning tasks. The amount of time a companion caregiver spends with a care recipient depends on needs; it could be a daily or weekly visit, or the caregiver could live on site.
Personal Care
Personal caregivers have more formal training than companion caregivers. This is because they perform basic medical services, as well as other hands-on personal care services. Personal caregivers do all the same things that companion caregivers do, but they also help with things like bathing, dressing, and dental, skin, and hair care. They also help with more personal services, like toileting needs or changing colostomy or catheter bags. Personal caregivers can assist with medication and devices like wheelchairs and walkers, and they can measure temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and intake and output of fluids. Personal caregivers get to know their patients well, and will either visit or live on site. The schedule can be flexible, to ensure the very best care.
Which Type of Care is Right for You?
How do you know which type of caregiver is best for you or your loved one? Consider your unique situation, and the level of care required. Think, too, about your budget, because personal care is more expensive than companion care. If you work with a home care staffing service, the service can help you determine exactly which type of care is right for you.
BrightStar Care® Can Help You Find Care
At
BrightStar Care of Tampa, we offer a wide range of home care and medical staffing services, providing the right support to fit each client’s unique needs. Though we are best known for our in-home services for seniors, we also offer high-quality home care for children with disabilities and children who are ill, as well as pediatric nursing and care for children whose parents have disabilities. With our variety of high-quality, compassionate care and our unparalleled support for our local healthcare system, we give more, not just to the people we serve but also to our community. Our goal is to make our clients’ lives the best they can possibly be while making the Tampa community stronger than ever. We are honored to have won some of the most prestigious awards in the industry, both locally and nationally, and we strive to provide the kind of high-quality care and support that truly make a difference in people’s lives. From our nurses and caregivers to our office team and staff, everyone on the BrightStar Care of Tampa team cares deeply about providing the care and support our customers deserve. For more information about our care and services, call 813.692.1021 or
contact us through our website.
