With the benefit of advanced medical care, people are living longer. It is also less common these days for their children to spend their adult lives in the same community where they were born; in fact, many of us end up living hundreds or thousands of miles from our birthplace. In addition, many couples are having children later in life. Among the effects: the “sandwich generation” of adults who are raising their own children and worrying about the welfare of their aging parents at the same time. The role of the elder care companion is to provide company for senior citizens living alone and to help the family know about the living conditions and health of their elderly loved ones. Some clients might ask the companion to call them during or after each visit to report on the situation.
The elder care companion might bring lunch, play cards, or help explain a television show or movie. The companion might provide some light housekeeping, such as vacuuming and dishwashing. The job stops short of providing medical care, dispensing medications, offering physical therapy, bathing, or other jobs for which training or licensure is required. In some localities, you may require a license or permit. This sort of job requires a great deal of patience and understanding, and you must have the ability to observe your older charges and to report on their condition to their children or other relatives. In some circumstances, you may need to call doctors or other medical professionals to report on new or ongoing conditions.