Supporting an Ageing Parent with Cognitive Changes: How a Home-Share Companion Helps Them Stay Safe at Home

This week alone, I’ve received a number of calls from concerned adult children in Dublin who are noticing signs of cognitive decline or memory changes in their ageing parents who live alone.

It’s a deeply emotional situation.

Parents often want to maintain independence and may struggle to admit that they need help. Adult children, meanwhile, are trying to respect their wishes while quietly worrying about their safety, wellbeing, and day-to-day functioning.

And with traditional care options becoming more expensive — from private in-home care hours to the rising cost of nursing homes — many families are left asking:

“Is there something we can do before it reaches a crisis point?”

The answer, in many cases, is yes.

A carefully matched home-share companion can provide essential support, stability, and peace of mind — all while allowing an older adult to remain in the comfort of their own home.

“A trusted home-share companion can make all the difference — helping older adults feel safe, supported, and happier at home.”

Understanding Cognitive Changes in Older Adults

Cognitive decline doesn’t always happen suddenly. It often starts subtly:

• Forgetting appointments

• Repeating stories

• Difficulty managing routines

• Missing meals

• Feeling anxious or unsettled

• Poor judgement about safety

• Getting confused later in the day

• Losing confidence about being alone

For older adults living by themselves, even mild cognitive changes can increase vulnerability. Small things — like leaving the cooker on, forgetting to lock the door, or missing medications — can gradually become bigger risks.

Families often find themselves checking in constantly, calling every evening, and feeling torn between wanting to support their parent and needing to manage their own work and family responsibilities.

This is where a home-share companion makes all the difference. A home-share companion is not a nurse, but they are a caring, consistent presence who provides companionship and light support in exchange for low-cost accommodation.

This gentle, relationship-based model is often exactly what an older adult needs in the early stages of cognitive change. As the founder of elder home share with several years experience myself as a home share companion I have seen directly how the presence of a companion in the home can really settle things down and bring reassurance to the homeowner and their children. A home share companion is not a replacement for needed care but a compliment to it and extends time at home for the homeowner. Alzheimer's Ireland is a good organistation to seek council from if you are facing these issues with a loved one.

1. Gentle structure and daily routine

A companion can help encourage safe habits and steady routines — meals, hydration, bedtime patterns, reminders, conversation, and keeping the home running smoothly.

Routine is incredibly grounding for someone experiencing memory changes.

2. Emotional reassurance and reduced anxiety

Many people with cognitive decline feel embarrassed, lonely, or unsettled. Having someone in the home brings calm, confidence, and a sense of security, especially in the evenings or at night.

3. Early detection of changes

A companion will quickly notice new behaviors — increasing forgetfulness, confusion, skipping meals, or difficulty managing tasks — allowing families to respond early instead of reacting to a crisis.

4. Increased safety at home

They help reduce household risk:

• ensuring appliances are switched off

• keeping the living space tidy

• checking doors and pathways

• supporting light tasks that may cause falls or confusion

5. Peace of mind for families

This is often the biggest impact: knowing someone kind, reliable, and trustworthy is in the home gives adult children space to breathe, sleep, and live their lives without constant worry. To view companion profiles click here.

A Dublin Family’s Experience: Ruth’s Story

One of our homeowners’ families shared this beautiful feedback:

“Elder Home Share is a fantastic concept. Saoirse provides excellent support ensuring the match is successful. My mum's first companion was so kind and they formed a lovely friendship. Her presence in the house gave us such peace of mind and she was an ideal house mate. Prathi has moved on with her life and we are just embarking on the second match. I cannot recommend Saoirse's service highly enough.”— Ruth, Dublin

This is exactly what home-sharing is all about —not just practical help, but connection, reassurance, and genuine friendship.

A Complementary Alternative to Traditional Care

With the high cost of paid care hours and nursing home fees in Ireland, many families feel stuck between two extremes:

• Leaving their parent living alone with minimal support OR

• Moving them into full-time residential care before it’s truly needed

Home-sharing sits beautifully in the middle.

It provides:

• A safe overnight or evening presence

• Companionship and conversation

• Light household support

• Emotional reassurance

• Improved wellbeing

• A calming daily structure

• Someone to notice changes early

It also compliments any existing in-home nursing or care hours — creating a more holistic support system.

For many older adults with early memory issues, this is the key to remaining independent for longer.

Is a Home-Share Companion Right for Your Parent?

A home-share companion can be a great fit if your parent:

• Lives alone in Dublin we work nationwide too

• Wants to remain at home

• Is experiencing mild cognitive decline or memory challenges

• Doesn’t require medical or nursing care

• Needs companionship and gentle daily structure

• Feels anxious or lonely

• Could benefit from a reassuring presence in the evenings or overnight

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone — and there are supportive, respectful, affordable solutions available.

Next Steps for Dublin Families

If you are worried about a parent who is showing early cognitive decline, or if you’re feeling the pressure to “figure out what to do next,” I’m here to help.

Whether home-sharing is the right fit or not, I’m always happy to offer guidance.

Get in touch with Elder Home Share and let’s talk through your parent’s situation — gently, honestly, and with no pressure.

Your parent deserves support that feels good —and you deserve peace of mind.