An initiative across the Great Lakes that aims to reduce feelings of isolation amongst the older residents in the community is looking for new volunteers.
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The community visitors scheme is Commonwealth Government funded initiative that connects volunteer visitors with isolates elderly people in the community.
The scheme is currently looking for more volunteer visitors in the Great Lakes region.
Anyone interested in taking part is eligible for a free police check and reimbursement of up to 30km per fortnight in car travel from their home to the recipient’s home and back.
Elderly people are eligible for a community visitors scheme visitor when they live in an aged care facility or they have a home care package and are living in their own home.
The community visitors service is a free service.
Once the police check is all clear, visitors are then given an introduction to the person they have been matched with and can decide the best times and days for visits.
Volunteer visitors have already started giving their time to visit an elderly person once a week or once a fortnight for about an hour.
Declining health can bring changes that may limit the social opportunities for elderly residents, friends may move away to alternative accommodation or even die, and these changes in circumstances can cause feelings of isolation to develop.
Where there previously has been someone to talk to about the footy scores or what is new in the garden, it may become more difficult to find someone to enjoy this with as circumstances change.
Anyone interested in becoming a visitor or having a visitor allocated to them can contact Chris Becroft for more information or to join on 02 6551 1800.
