Community Visitors – friends for older people: information for aged care residents
The Community Visitors Scheme (CVS), is a federally funded program, established to promote links between people living in an aged care home and the wider community.
The Scheme also helps to establish and reinforce links between residents of homes and their community. Friendly contact can help to reduce the risk of isolation.
The management of the home should identify people who may benefit from a visitor, and refer them to the Community Visitors Scheme auspice in their area.
If you know someone whose quality of life would be enriched by friendly visits, speak to the home’s management.
An auspice is a community based organisation, which administers the Community Visitors Scheme in a particular area.
Auspices will match residents with visitors they can relate to – for example, someone who shares an interest or a hobby with them, or has a similar background. This helps to make the relationship rewarding for the residents and the visitors.
The Government has provided several publications on the CVS:
- Information on Community Visitors Scheme for Consumers
- The Community Visitors Scheme Handbook
- The Community Visitors Scheme Handbook for Subsidised Aged Care Homes
These may be downloaded at:
www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ageing/
