Caregivers' Pets Bring Joy to Roanoke Home Care Clients with Alzheimer's and Dementia

How Companion Home Care senior caregivers use their dogs to enhance the lives of Roanoke, VA home care clients.

Most humans, regardless of age, share a natural affinity for dogs. They bring joy into our lives, enhance our mood, encourage us to exercise, provide companionship, give us a sense of responsibility, and more.

According to Michelle L. Belton, CDP, CAEd, and owner of Companion Home Care Inc, Alzheimer’s patients are no different when it comes to loving canine companionship.



”I encourage our caregivers to bring their pets to meet and interact with their home care clients whenever possible, especially the clients with Alzheimer’s. It’s part of our larger goal of planning activities that will keep our clients mentally, physically, and emotionally engaged,” said Belton.



One Companion Home Care client, Chris Lemon of Roanoke, VA, has a special relationship with his caregiver, Heather Hodges, and her dog, Ofelia.



”We call Chris the ‘dog whisperer.’ He loves it when Ofelia and Heather come to see him. You can just see his face light up,” said Belton. “Our caregivers love bringing their dogs to work, our home care clients love hanging out with the dogs, and the dogs love it, too!”



Belton said it was a chance meeting at the Roanoke Greenway that led her to hiring Heather Hodges, who is a member of Chris Lemon’s caregiver team and the mother of Ofelia.



”I met Heather Hodges down at the Greenway while we were soaking our feet in the Roanoke River and having lunch on a beautiful day. Heather came by on a kayak with her dog Ofelia. I saw how Heather behaved toward her dog and how incredibly responsible and caring she is with her. I immediately knew she would be a great fit for our team at Companion Home Care,” stated Belton.



To discuss a personalized home care plan for you or your loved one, contact Companion Home Care at (540) 981-2255.

About Companion Home Care Inc:



Companion Home Care is a senior home health care, adults with disabilities care, and hospice care provider in Roanoke, VA. Our motto is to provide a "better class of companion for a better quality of life". We accomplish this by hiring the best, most qualified caregivers, and using our knowledge and experience to craft a personalized home care plan for our clients, then match clients with the perfect caregiver based on client needs, personality, and skills required.

Our caregivers help seniors age gracefully, cope with Alzheimer's, dementia, and illnesses, and enjoy healthy and happy lives from the comfort of their own homes. In addition to senior home health care, we also provide Roanoke home care for adults and children with disabilities, traumatic brain injury and diseases, physical injuries, and special needs in Roanoke, Salem, Vinton, Christiansburg, Blacksburg, Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, Bedford, and surrounding areas of southwest Virginia.





Companion Home Care Inc

210 E 7th St

Salem, VA 24153

(540) 981-2255