Social support services invoSocial support is a service for Australians who would like extra help in their lives. Professional social support workers provide this service to people who need a helping hand due to age, illness, disability, or unexpected circumstances.
Social support workers can help with day-to-day activities like shopping and cleaning. They can attend community events with you or provide company, whether you’re enjoying a walk through the park or having a chat over a cup of tea at home.
In essence, social support services ensure everyone can have meaningful social connections and engage in the activities they love, regardless of their circumstances.
In this guide, we’ll explain the different types of social support services and why social support is especially important for elderly individuals. We’ll also cover how to choose the right social support service for yourself or your loved one.
What are the different types of social support services?
There are a wide variety of different social support services available to you, depending on your individual needs.
Aged care support
Aged care social support services assist seniors living at home, enhancing their quality of life. It helps them to maintain independence, such as attending their favourite activities.
Support workers can help with all aspects of daily life, from helping out with home maintenance and arranging assistive technology to attending community events. They also offer companionship, which can help alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Disability support
This service provides personalised support to people living with a disability. Professionals can aid mobility, help with daily errands, and attend community or social events with you.
Depending on your requirements, they can also help to create personalised care plans tailored to your unique needs, ensuring you can continue to do the activities you love.
Housing and homelessness support
If you or a loved one needs housing support, specialised social support workers can help. They can arrange emergency shelters if you’re in a crisis, connect you with affordable housing initiatives, and act as a supportive friend who will listen to your concerns.
If you’re experiencing homelessness or if you’re at risk of losing your house, social support workers ensure you don’t need to go through it alone. Find out more about housing support on the Australian Government website.
Refugee support
Refugee social support services help newly arrived individuals and families with housing, language training, employment assistance, and other essential skills and knowledge that will help you settle into your new community.
Professionals will also help you connect with your local community to provide a support network following your arrival in Australia. Learn more about the Australian Government’s Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP).
Domestic violence and crisis support
These services offer crisis intervention, counselling, legal aid, and housing for people affected by domestic violence, assault, elder abuse, and other emergencies. Professionals can offer emotional support and practical advice through 24/7 helplines and support groups.
Indigenous support
Indigenous support programs address the unique challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
These specialised social support workers can connect you with educational resources, counselling services, and community projects, helping to ensure all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are heard, respected, and empowered.
Learn more about the National Indigenous Australians Agency and how it is overcoming social inequalities.
Youth and child support
This service supports vulnerable children and young people. It can provide foster care, educational support, protection services, or youth counselling, depending on the needs of the child and their family.
If you or a child you know need support, you can find more information on the Australian Government’s Families and Children website.
Mental health support
Specialist support workers can also offer personalised mental health support. This service can help you work through psychological distress and traumatic events, protecting your mental wellbeing.
Depending on your needs, a mental health support worker can provide access to individual counselling or larger support groups. They can also help you connect with your local community through events and activities. Learn about accessing mental health support in Australia.
Family and carer support
Family and carer social support services can offer respite and resources for caregivers, as well as programs to help carers manage their responsibilities. The Australian Government’s Carer Gateway contains a wealth of information for carers.
For families, they can also provide counselling to help strengthen relationships. Find out more about the Government’s Family Support Services.
What are the benefits of social support?
Social support can have substantial positive effects on anyone in need of a helping hand. From improved quality of life to better mental wellbeing to empowerment, here are six benefits to consider.
Personalised support
A social support care program is tailored to individual needs, ensuring you or your loved one receives the help needed to feel empowered and independent.
Mental wellbeing
Similarly, social support helps individuals develop confidence and coping skills, which can help alleviate mental health symptoms.
Meaningful connections
Along with providing practical support, social support professionals are also a reliable friend who can listen, provide advice, support social interactions, and reduce feelings of isolation.
Day-to-day support
For people who are limited by their age, disability, or illness, social support can be hugely beneficial. Professionals can help with daily tasks, such as cleaning, shopping, garden maintenance, installing home modifications for mobility, and more.
Emotional support
Social support programs can provide a sense of belonging, helping individuals manage stress, understand emotions, and improve emotional wellbeing.
Physical health
Along with the psychological and emotional benefits, social support can also help individuals improve their physical health, whether through physiotherapy, going for regular walks, or taking part in therapeutic recreational activities (TRA) like yoga and dance.
Overall, social support workers can enrich their clients’ quality of life, empowering them to feel heard, supported, and respected.
Why is social support important for elderly individuals?
Social support is incredibly important for elderly individuals, improving their quality of life and supporting all aspects of emotional, physical, and mental health. Social support can help older Australians maintain (or regain) their independence.
Reduce feelings of social isolation
Around one-third of elderly Australians living in residential aged care feel lonely, according to an Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation study. Retirement, mobility issues, and the loss of loved ones can have a negative effect on wellbeing, putting elderly people at risk of depressive symptoms.
Through companionship and community involvement, social support systems can help elderly individuals regain a sense of purpose. This contributes to improved mental wellbeing for people who feel socially isolated.
Support longevity
Around 80% of Australians aged 65 and over have one or more chronic diseases or health conditions, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Social support networks can help older individuals attend appointments, remember medications, and follow treatment plans.
In addition, having a support worker can motivate seniors to engage in social activities and maintain an active lifestyle. This can help reduce the risk of conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure, helping to support healthy ageing.
Prolong independence
While providing practical assistance is important, the goal of aged care social support is to empower older Australians.
With the assistance of a qualified support worker, elderly individuals can remain in their homes for longer, improve cognitive functioning, and delay the need for residential care. The ability to attend events and activities with support can also provide a feeling of autonomy while engaging with the community.
How can I access social support services?
The first step to accessing social support services is understanding the funding options available to you.
While you can choose to pay for the service yourself, you may also qualify for subsidised support under the Australian government’s Home Care Package if you’re over the age of 65. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) also offers support for older Australians who want to live at home.
There’s also the option of funding through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for those under the age of 65 who are living with a disability.
Once you’ve secured your funding, reach out to your local social support services and request a needs assessment. Your provider can then create a personalised care program for you or the person you’re caring for.
Summing up
Social support services are so much more than providing people with additional help for daily living. They empower individuals to live their fullest lives, transforming physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
If you’d like to get started with social support, or you have a loved one that you think could benefit from the service, we are here to help. Montessori Care delivers in-home aged and disability care services designed to enhance the lives of seniors and people living with disabilities. Contact us for more information.
FAQs
What does a social support worker do?
A social support professional provides holistic care based on the individual needs of the person they’re helping. They can support people with daily tasks, attend social events, or provide emotional and psychological support, depending on what’s required.
How do I access the My Aged Care platform?
You can access My Aged Care via the Australian Government website. An assessor will evaluate your needs (or the needs of your loved one) and determine your eligibility for various home care programs. From there, you can plan your personalised care services with Montessori Care.
How does social support help with loneliness?
Social isolation and loneliness are common problems for seniors, and they can cause mental distress. The presence of a qualified social support worker can help to promote general health and social wellbeing, providing a sense of purpose. Simply having a friendly face to chat with can also do wonders for mental health and wellbeing.