Buddies share great times in Pt Pirie

Two Port Pirie aged care homes are using the Community Visitors Scheme which is a national program funded by the Federal Government, under the Yorke and Regional Networks project.

The aim of the scheme is to enrich the lives of aged care home residents who are socially isolated or lonely and who would benefit from having a friendly visitor.

The Yorke and Regional Networks co-ordinator, Fiona Whitehead, said there were many residents in aged care homes who had no visitors or family and might feel lonely and become at risk of depression and social isolation.

Even when there are lots of activities going on in the aged care home, the resident may not feel comfortable taking part and remain isolated in their room.

“If you live in or around the Port Pirie region and have some spare time on you hands, or maybe you are thinking about volunteering or contemplating a career in aged care, this could be the volunteer opportunity you have been looking for,” she said.

“Many residents just want to have a special friend and it is priceless to see the smile on a resident’s face when they realise that a visitor is coming, just to spend time with them”.

The co-ordinator works with the divisional therapist from the aged care home to ensure suitable matches are made between the resident and community visitor.
 
Personalities, interests and background are all taken into account when making the decision.

The focus is on being a special friend who visits on a regular basis, reading, chatting, going for a walk or watching a movie together.

Ms Whitehead said that the success of the scheme rested on its simplicity.
 
“Support is given to volunteers to form and maintain friendships and the personal rewards are high,” she said.