Bringing Joy Back to Everyday Life Through Companionship Care

As we grow older, life can naturally become quieter. Friends may move away, routines change and getting out and about can feel more difficult than it once did. For many older people, this can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection. In fact, the Centre for Social Justice reports around 43% of 65+ feel lonely sometimes and Age UK estimates that by 2034, 1.2 million people over 65 in England will often feel lonely.

Loneliness isn’t just an emotional experience, it has far-reaching physical and mental consequences, linked with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression and anxiety. Research shows that nine in ten older people who are often lonely also report being unhappy or depressed.

At Home Instead, we see first-hand how loneliness affects older adults and our compassionate Care Professionals know that sometimes a warm conversation, a shared hobby, or a short daily visit can make all the difference. Companionship care helps lift spirits, reduce anxiety, and brings connection, confidence and warmth back into everyday life.

A Gentle, Reassuring First Step for Families

For those who have spent their lives working, raising families, contributing to their communities, and making their own decisions, the idea of introducing care can feel daunting – even when subtle changes in confidence, memory, or mood begin to appear.

Companionship offers a gentle starting point. Our visits are typically a minimum of one hour, giving time for real interaction and allowing trusted relationships to form. Just a few hours a week can make a meaningful difference through activities such as:

• Sharing a conversation and reminiscing
• Enjoying hobbies, films, puzzles, or games
• Light support with errands or household tasks
• Outings to cafés, social groups, or local events

This support provides peace of mind for families, keeps routines going, and offers regular wellbeing check-ins. Over time, visits can adapt as needs evolve, helping older adults remain at home with dignity and independence in the place they love most.

Supporting Independence at Home and Beyond

Independence isn’t just about managing at home; it’s also about staying connected to the outside world. All our Care Professionals are fully insured to drive clients in the community, helping with:

• Appointments and practical errands
• Prescription collection and shopping
• Social clubs and leisure activities
• Visits with friends and family

Being able to continue familiar routines safely helps maintain confidence, purpose, and a sense of identity.

Trusted, Outstanding Local Care

Choosing home care is as much about trust as it is about practical support. Our ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating reflects our commitment to high-quality care, but it is the relationships our Care Professionals build that make the greatest difference.

Our companionship care is truly person-centred. We take time to match each client with a local Care Professional based on needs, interests, routines, and personality — creating familiarity, reliability, and long-term trust. Families frequently tell us what a difference this makes.

We are also proud of our 9.9 rating on Homecare.co.uk, where clients and families share real experiences of our compassionate and experienced care.

Case Study: A Little Support That Made a Big Difference for Eileen

James reached out to us when he began noticing subtle but worrying changes in his mum, Eileen. Once confident and sociable, she had started staying inside her assisted living complex, avoiding the activities she used to enjoy. Although she wanted to join in with the regular social events, they required a small cash contribution — and without the confidence to go out alone to withdraw cash, she began missing out. Over time, this left her feeling more isolated and less like herself.

We now visit Eileen for four hours each week, supporting her with gentle companionship and outings to the post office, local shops, and community activities. With just this small amount of support, James has seen his mum regain her spark. It was lovely to hear him sharing how much more confident, sociable, and happy Eileen has become, spending time with others again and reconnecting with the life she loved.

It’s a reminder that small changes can make a profound difference. For our team, it’s a real privilege to share in the journey of people like Eileen and help them continue living rich, connected, and meaningful lives within our local communities.

Home, Happiness, Independence

Loneliness doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of ageing. With the right support, older people can remain confident, connected, and independent in the place they know and love best: their own home.

Through companionship care, personalised support, and outings, we help older adults continue living life on their terms: socially engaged, emotionally supported, and empowered to enjoy each day.

Speak to Our Friendly Local Team Today

If you would like to learn more about how our companionship care could support you or a loved one, our friendly local team – supporting families from Bude to Torpoint and the surrounding areas – would be happy to help.