It seems a good time to remind readers about the Community Visitor’s Scheme (CVS). A valuable scheme, funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing,  that was introduced to enrich the quality of life of residents in aged care facilities, who have limited family or social contact.  Southcare is one of the agencies that have responsibility for managing the scheme in the Perth South East Metro suburbs.

How does the scheme work?

• Some residents in aged care facilities never have visitors. This can be because their family has moved away or lives in the country and the residents friends are no longer able to drive or may have passed on. A community visitor helps to relieve the loneliness and isolation some residents experience.
• Aged care facilities’ staff members,  health professionals or a family members can put a resident's name forward and the facility then contacts their CVS Coordinator to arrange a visitor for the resident.
• Southcare community visitor positions are advertised through the Go Volunteer website -  www.govolunteer.com.au.
• Once the CVS coordinator has established any mutual interests, volunteer visitors are introduced to a resident in an aged care residence in their area.
• Community visitor volunteers are usually people who have empathy with older members of our community and an interest in what can be shared together. They come from all age groups.
• Regular visits and, as the relationship progresses,  a feeling of joy returns in the older person's life.
• Even people who are frail, have a hearing or vision impairment or other significant loss of mobility from the ageing process, can benefit from a regular visitor.
• Community visitor volunteers also personally benefit from making new friends.

• Often the community visitor gets to know the resident better than anyone else, by gradually learning about their friend through frequent and enjoyable conversations and shared activities.
• Southcare’s Community Visitors Scheme manager is always available to offer information, advice and support to volunteer visitors.

If you have a free hour a week and would be interested in becoming a Community Visitor, please contact:

Vicki McBeth – Phone 9450 6233 or email Vicki.m@southcare.org,au  or visit www.southcare.org.au for more information about Southcare and the scheme.