Formerly known as the Community Visitors Scheme, Ageing with Grace is combating loneliness in the elderly community with their Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS).

The program is funded by the Australian Government and is available to anyone receiving government funded aged care services in an aged care facility of their own home. 

Through this funding, Ageing with Grace is able to offer this service free of charge, with a strong focus on social support to those who need it. The scheme matches an elderly individual lacking social interaction to a volunteer who provides compassion and companionship.

Loneliness is a growing concern among Australia's elderly population, with one in five reporting feeling isolated, this figure rises to one in three for older people living in aged care facilities. Social isolation and loneliness have detrimental effects on both mental and physical health.

By matching volunteers with older people based on shared interests, hobbies and geographical proximity, the program works to create meaningful and lasting connections. 

A Kiama local, Shirley, is one such participant in the program who found comfort and friendship with her match, Tania. 

Tania is a dedicated volunteer who heard about the visitor scheme on the radio and felt compelled to lend a hand. She has a long history of lending a helping hand in her community, and her efforts are truly commendable.

She is a caring and generous person who travels each week to spend time with Shirley, usually in her home. Shirley loves flowers and her cat and together the pair spend time talking and catching up, reading magazines, doing jigsaw puzzles and much more. The pair have great plans to get Shirley out and about in the future. 

Tania’s regular visits to Shirley’s home have blossomed into a heartwarming friendship, acting as an exemplary scenario of how the scheme can help. 

Shirley’s daughter shares her gratitude for the program, emphasising the positive impact it has had on her mothers’ wellbeing. “Tania’s enthusiasm to help and her understanding of my mother’s situation has been amazing,” she said. “She is committed to providing support and friendship to my mum. We are grateful to the scheme and to both Tania and Annie.”

Annie Lucas, the aged care program coordinator for the Illawarra Region emphasises the rewarding aspects of the scheme for both participants. 

One such example is a 19 year old woman paired with a 91 year old woman. These visits have prompted a long awaited cinema trip for the elderly woman, who had not been to the movies in 50 years. In turn, she is teaching her young volunteer how to crochet, a skill she had been hoping to develop. 

Annie is passionate about her work, citing the number of successful matches that have stayed in touch with each other, even once the pair have parted. Many still send letters, postcards, and call each other regularly. 

There are innumerable benefits involved in the program and the ACVVS aims to improve quality of life for the participants. Shown to increase self esteem, sense of purpose, increasing independence and overall wellbeing, the program is successfully working toward a sense of connectedness in the community. 

ACVVS is always seeking volunteers over the age of 18. If you’re seeking a rewarding way to occupy your time, why not consider being a part of something life changing? Volunteers like Tania play a crucial role in enriching the lives of the elderly community.

National Volunteer Week is coming up between 20-26 May 2024 and what better time to contribute to your community and make a positive difference in the lives of those who need it.

For any further information you can contact Annie Lucas, who covers an area from Bulli to Ulladulla, by email at [email protected] or by phone at 0459 542 227.