The Importance of Companionship Care at Christmas

With the onset of the festive season, we take a look at the vital impact of Companionship care during Christmas.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year for most people, but for some it can be lonely. With a UKG Care Survey showing that 1.4 million older people admitting that Christmas isn’t a special day for them, and almost a million over 65’s going days without seeing or hearing from someone over Christmas, Companionship Care during Christmas is more important than ever.

What is Companionship Care?

Here at Bluebird Care Gosport, Companionship Care is a highly requested service, and when one of our carers provides it they become a trusted companion who can socially engage with you or your loved one at home, as well as accompany you or them to socialise with friends and family.

Our companionship services may include a variety of other support too, such as domestic tasks, supporting with travel arrangements and arranging and accompanying you or your loved ones to appointments.

These services continue throughout Christmas time to ensure that you or your loved one receive, not only the hands on care they need, but also the social and emotional support they deserve all year round.

The Dangers of Loneliness at Christmas

The cost of living crisis is having a huge impact on older people already suffering from loneliness, with two in five now unable to eat out, do physical activities or go on day trips because it’s too expensive. The knock-on effect of this can be serious as loneliness contributes to health problems such as:

Poor Sleep Quality

A National Library of Medicine study found that those who live isolated lives are more likely to experience insufficient sleep.

Decline in Mental Health

Research suggests links between loneliness and mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and higher stress levels.

Unhealthy Habits

Those suffering extended periods of loneliness can pick up unhealthy habits resulting in malnutrition, muscle wastage or substance dependency.

That’s why Companionship Care is so important! Having a highly trained and experienced member of our care team on hand at this special time of year can help you or your loved ones stay active, engaged and supported to ensure a magical and memorable Christmas.

Why Companionship Care Might be the Answer

The advantages of having one of our highly trained carers as a companion over Christmas are not limited to their excellent practical healthcare skills. Companionship Care during Christmas can offer vital benefits to the quality of life for yourself or your loved one.

Improving Mental Health

The risk of mental health decline is reduced in those with a healthy and trusted support network

Promotes Adaptability and Resilience

Feeling that you belong and are cared for at Christmas can give confidence in dealing with the challenges of everyday life.

Longer Life Expectancy

Supportive and engaging relationships with those around you can increase your lifespan by up to 50%.

For those unable to reach their families and friends at Christmas, our carers can offer the support and engagement that might be missing for yourself or your loved one this holiday season.

Christmas as a Carer

Christmas is one of the most crucial but also enjoyable times to work in care and the responsibilities of a carer can differ slightly over the festive period. As a regular companion for someone to see over the festive period, carers might partake in festive activities.

Writing cards or wrapping presents, preparing customers for Christmas with their families or taking them Christmas shopping are all holiday pastimes that carers might be able to enjoy with the person they’re supporting.

Our carers also work specially to make customers feel independent and maintain control over their own lives. This means that Christmas responsibilities may include supporting service users to plan and organise their own festive period by arranging transport to see family members or setting up the means for, and maybe even supervising, a video chat with their loved ones.

Experience Christmas Differently this Year

If you think you or your loved one could make use of our Companionship Care service, please click here to find out more.

Or, if you think you could make a difference this Christmas then why not consider joining our team!

With full training and competitive pay, as well as excellent onward support and progression, working with Bluebird Care would give you the opportunity to really make a difference to peoples’ lives and help combat loneliness this Christmas.

For more information on career options and what life is like at Bluebird Care Gosport, feel free to get in touch!

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• How We Offer Support for Carers
• What Makes a Great Carer
• Important Resources All Carers Should Know About