Community Visitors Scheme

The Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) was established to promote links between people living in aged care facilities and the wider community. It aims to enrich the quality of life of the resident who may be socially isolated or lonely.

Aged Care homes may identify residents who would be suitable for such visits. Family members or service providers may also approach the home if they know of a resident they think would benefit from companionship. The CVS Coordination will match the resident with a suitable community visitor taking into account the shared interests, hobbies and similarity of background or shared language.

By befriending an older person living in an aged care facility the community visitor has a chance to make a difference to the life of the resident as well as their own. The community visitor sets aside time, at least once a fortnight, to visit and befriend a resident of an aged care facility. Visits are spent doing something both the community visitor and the resident enjoy such as reading, listening to music, chatting and reminiscing or watch a favourite TV program together.

Most community visitors find that they enjoy the friendship as much as the resident does and that the relationship is both positive and rewarding.

OzPol also supports the community visitor and helps them to adapt to their role as well as offers training and support in understanding the needs of the resident.

If you would like to know more about the CVS programme or would like to become a community visitor with OzPol, please contact us.