Meaningful Connections is Better Health Network’s government-funded volunteer visiting program (formerly the Community Visitors Scheme) that has been enhancing the health and wellbeing of senior Australians since 1992.
The program provides companionship to older people experiencing loneliness and social isolation living in residential aged care homes or in their own homes and receiving a commonwealth aged care package.
Volunteer visitors are matched with recipients based on shared interests to enable meaningful connections through conversation and activities such as board games, reading, reminiscing and outings where possible.
Many people living in the community or in aged care homes do not have regular visitors or may be socially isolated due to health and mobility issues. A friendly visit from a regular visitor can make a tremendous difference to the wellbeing of the person.
If you or a loved one are in an aged care facility or living at home but receiving a Home Care Package (or on a waiting list for one), then you may be eligible for a volunteer visitor.
Some benefits of the program include:
• Increased self-esteem and feeling of wellbeing
• New friendship
• Reduced feelings of loneliness and isolation
• Connection to the community
• Diminished depression and anxiety
There is no cost for this service. For more information, contact the Meaningful Connections team on 03 8587 0296 or 03 8587 0322 or by email volunteers@bhn.org.au.
To find out more about volunteering for the program please click here.
Meaningful Connections is funded by the Australian Government as the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme.
The program is available for recipients of subsidised residential aged care services or home care packages. This includes care recipients approved and on a waiting list/National Priority System for residential care or home care packages.