Catholic Healthcare’s Companionship service has been launched to support our Home Care clients’ emotional and physical wellbeing.
During this year, our Community Workers were concerned that clients may be feeling alone and physically isolated in their homes, with little contact from the outside world.
Companionship is an essential part of senior care. Community Workers provide everyday services such as housekeeping, shopping, transport and meal preparation, but they also provide meaningful human connections that significantly improves one’s quality of life.
Our Companionship service promotes better physical health, better mental health and just makes life better and happier for our clients living at home.
What does Catholic Healthcare's Companionship Service Include?
It’s a one to three-hour service, where clients can choose to do any activity they wish with their Community Worker, such as:
- Have a cup of tea and a chat
- Go for a drive to the beach or take a walk in a park
- Go shopping
- Play games like cards, board games or video games
- Do the gardening together or go shopping for gardening supplies
- Spend the day with a friend with the Community Worker providing pick up and drop off
- Learn how to use social media and make video calls
- Create a life book to share with your loved ones
How Often Can You Schedule a Service?
As often as you like depending on your Home Care Package and the availability of Community Workers.
What Is The Cost?
$64 an hour. All clients on a Home Care Package or Fee for Service are eligible.
How Can I Book?
The Companionship service can be booked through your Care Advisor or call 1800 225 474.
The Australian institute of Health and Welfare recognises that social isolation has been linked to mental illness, emotional distress, suicide, the development of dementia, premature death, poor health behaviours, smoking, physical inactivity, poor sleep, and biological effects, including high blood pressure and poorer immune function
(Hawthorne 2006; Holt-Lunstad et al. 2015)