Companion caregiver

Usługa

Elderly people, especially those suffering from dementia, experience loneliness, lack of agency and their social and spiritual needs are often not met. Due to the ageing of the population and loosening of family ties, the scale of this problem is enormous in Poland. In almost every family, there are people who are dependent on the care of their relatives and require assistance in carrying out activities of daily living. Sometimes they end up in care institutions, e.g. residential nursing homes. Those facilities primarily cater to the physical needs of the residents, but do not have proven and effective methods of addressing their social, emotional and spiritual needs, which, if unmet, can significantly affect the health and well-being of seniors.

The innovation involves the introduction of companion caregivers in care facilities (nursing homes, care and treatment centers, etc.) in order to improve the residents’ quality of life. Companion caregivers are tasked with identifying and meeting the social and spiritual needs of the residents of these facilities. By talking to and patiently listening to what the residents have to say, the companion caregiver can uncover issues that the personnel fail to notice due to their preoccupation with other tasks. This way, the companion helps the residents cope with everyday problems, empowers them and strengthens their sense of agency, and prevents loneliness. By spending time together, the companion can help the residents rediscover former interests, e.g. if someone played the piano, it is worth arranging for the senior to return to their former hobby. The presence of the companion caregiver in care facilities is positive in various ways. The companion makes the work of the personnel easier and the personnel can focus on their core duties. As a result, the needs of the residents are addressed better and faster. Thanks to the close relationship and frequent conversations with the residents, the companion caregiver can also more easily spot worrying symptoms in the residents, and by passing on information to the personnel or the relatives, many problems can be counteracted. The companion caregiver can also step into the role of the mediator and help establish contacts between the relatives of the nursing home residents and the personnel. The companion caregiver, as a third party, is able to explain the positions of both sides and help work out a compromise.

Residents of care homes, nursing homes, residential care institutions and other long-term care facilities

Relatives of seniors, including those suffering from dementia Public and private nursing homes Municipal social welfare centers Residential care facilities NGOs supporting the care and welfare of seniors Volunteer centers Parishes with volunteers supporting the care and welfare of seniors Youth education organizations, e.g. the scouts Municipalities and communes shaping local senior care policy

Sample plans for working with seniors

Thanks to the introduction of companion care in a nusing home, its residents have felt less lonely and more motivated to do activities of daily living. Additionally, the number of conflicts with the personnel and misunderstandings has decreased. The personnel have been relieved of duties that do not require specialist expertise and benefited from improved communication with the residents and their relatives thanks to the mediation provided by the companion caregiver.

Tak

A volunteer or personnel member willing to act as acompanion caregiver

Long-term care home willing to introduce a position of a companion caregiver

Osoba fizyczna

Inkubator pomysłów [2020-23]