Lisa Conway – Hometown News

Q: My mother lives alone and I think she could use a little help around the house and someone to talk to.  Who can help with those kinds of things?

A: This is a question that I have been asked with increasing frequency over the course of the pandemic.  Many calls are from the adult children of seniors that live a distance away and are concerned about the isolation their parents have experienced. Several have wondered about someone who might spend some time with their loved one and help a bit around the house.  Homemaker/Companions are big-hearted individuals who can be hired to provide these services.

Homemaker/Companions can be a helpful bridge for seniors who are still independent enough to live at home and don’t require hands-on care — but may need help to maintain an enjoyable and healthy lifestyle.  Some of the common tasks that homemakers/companions can perform include transportation, meal preparation, laundry, light housekeeping, linen changes and socialization.

I recently had a conversation with a client.  He said, “Lisa, I used to be able to make my make my bed, cook my meals, do my laundry, go to the pool for exercise AND attend happy hour every day!  If I try to do all that now, I don’t have enough energy to make it through the day.” We talked about this and decided that what he truly enjoyed was his exercise class at the pool and socializing with friends during happy hour.  He agreed to allow a Homemaker/Companion to assist him with some of the other tasks.  He called me back recently to thank me for giving him his life back.

Retirement is the time when we all plan to enjoy ourselves and pursue our interests. But age can sneak up on us and take the fun out of things. A Homemaker/Companion can help ensure that you use your valuable energy doing the things you love. For more information, call One Senior Place at 321-751-6771.

One Senior Place is a marketplace for resources and provider of information, advice, care and on-site services for seniors and their families. Questions for this column are answered by professionals in nursing, social work, care management and in-home care. Send questions to askOSP@OneSeniorPlace.com or visit One Senior Place, The Experts in Aging at OneSeniorPlace.com. Lisa Conway is a Registered Nurse and a Certified Care Manager for Senior Partner Care Services, Viera.