The elderly companion, a job that has emerged in recent years as a new profession in the job market of Iran, reflects cultural and social changes in the way the elderly are cared for. As families are less able to care for their elderly parents due to various reasons including work commitments and the migration of children, hiring an elderly companion is proposed as a humane and effective solution.
Personal Experiences of Companionship
In the north of the capital, Mostafa, who suffers from Alzheimer's, spends time with Amir, his companion. Amir has been with Mostafa for two years, and his duty is solely to chat and care for his well-being. He explains: "My job is mostly just chatting with Mr. Mostafa, and I have to keep an eye on the time for his medications. My job is mainly to alleviate his loneliness."
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Reyhaneh, another companion with a special experience, is with a woman named Parvaneh. Parvaneh, who has never married after her fiancé's infidelity, needs Reyhaneh's companionship to be by her side. Reyhaneh says: "I am with them to help them out of loneliness and instead of going to a nursing home, they can live in their own home."
Challenges of the Companionship Job and Its Future
The job of an elderly companion is not yet officially recognized as a profession, and the hiring conditions for this job vary greatly. Many service-providing institutions operate informally due to the lack of necessary licenses. Karamati, one of the managers of these institutions, explains: "We train companions to cooperate with families according to the conditions of the elderly." He also points out the challenges of not distinguishing duties between companions and other staff, saying: "If a companion is also required to perform household chores, they cannot dedicate enough time to your elderly person."
Mohsen Salman Nejad, a specialist in geriatric medicine and secretary of the Elderly Health Faction in the 11th Parliament, refers to the role of companions in improving the quality of life for the elderly, stating: "A companion should help the elderly maintain their independence and should not deprive them of being with their family under the pretext of having a companion."
Considering the aging population of Iran, it seems that the demand for companionship jobs will significantly increase in the coming years. Salman Nejad emphasizes the necessity of regulating this profession, stating: "If this job is seen as a necessity of today's society, it will gain the necessary transparency and framework."
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