Support at Home · Social support

Social support and companionship

The support families feel awkward asking for, and the one that changes most.

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What this covers

Regular visits

Same time each week, someone who knows your news.

Getting out

Walks, coffee, the shops, the club.

Help staying in touch

Video calls set up, with someone there.

Social work support

Grief, family conflict, decisions nobody wants to make.

Help with pets

Walking and feeding the animal that gets someone up.

Groups and community programs

Connecting you to what exists locally.

It is not a soft extra

People apologise for asking about companionship, as though it's less legitimate than a shower. Sustained isolation is associated with faster cognitive and physical decline. It's funded under Support at Home because it belongs there.

Companionship depends on whether two people get on, which no roster can allocate. If the match is wrong, you change the person, without a complaint process.

Pets count

For a lot of people the animal is why the day has a shape. Walking or caring for a pet counts, so ask before giving up the dog.

Questions people ask

Is companionship really covered by Support at Home?

Yes. Social support is a funded category, delivered one to one at home or as help to get out into the community.

What if we do not get on?

You change the person. That's the practical advantage of self-managing: you're choosing the individual, not accepting an allocation.

Can it include help with my dog?

Help caring for a pet can form part of social support. Mention it on the call so we can look for partners near you.

Other services

Arrange social support near you

Three fields, and we'll tell you honestly what we can cover in your postcode.

Or call 1300 677 174. We answer same day.