An estimated 44 million adult Americans now provide unpaid assistance and support to older people and adults with disabilities, and that number is expected to rise. Fortunately for family caregivers, more support services are available to offer much needed assistance.

Visiting Health and Supportive Services of Hunterdon Healthcare System has a program called NeighborCare, which places specially trained companions in homes to provide supervision, companionship and reminders for meals and medications. NeighborCare companions spend quality time with their clients in the home while the family is at work or running errands.

“The companions offer more than supervision, they also enhance our clients’ daily routine, stimulate activity, offer social involvement and lower the chance of missed medication doses, depression or falls,” explains Carolyn Renna, Program Manager for NeighborCare.

Companions help their clients with a variety of activities, including: taking a walk, monitoring medication usage, reading aloud, creating crafts, playing games, caring for plants, doing laundry and helping with meal planning and preparation. They also help with basic grooming and are available just to talk or reminisce. For more information or to schedule your free home evaluation, call Cheryl Tigar at 908-788-2568.