Stay Connected and Supported in Your Community
What will enable you to maintain your individuality, independence at home, and connection within your community as you age? This website provides information about service options that may be right for you.
If you would like to volunteer or find out how to connect with and support older people in your community go to Stay Connected and Stay Supported.
If you would like to talk to someone about your unique situation phone our Stay Connected and Supported Line on 1800 001 321 or go to Get in Touch below.
Stay Connected and Supported in Your Community is a partnership initiative of the Older Persons Advocacy Network and the ABC, undertaken with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health

Stories from older people in our community
Older people from diverse backgrounds share their real experiences of how they maintain their independence at home, and stay socially connected at home and within their communities. We introduce some Stay Connected and Supported service options that might be right for you.
Staying connected at home
Patricia and Farid's story
Patricia is 84 and lives at home by herself. She shares her story about how she was connected with Community Visitors Scheme volunteer visitor Farid during the 2020 COVID-19 restrictions and the difference this has made to her life. Farid, a retired engineer, enjoys helping others and remaining connected in his retirement. Patricia and Farid look forward to their weekly visits and have become very good friends. Community Visitors Scheme volunteer visitors are available for people living in a Government subsidised aged care home or those receiving or waitlisted for a Home Care Package.
Staying connected within the community
Francesca and Garry’s story
Francesca is 78 and lives alone at home. Despite having many friends and the support of her daughter, she can still feel alone. Francesca shares how with the support of community transport, she is able to participate in a local social group, where she enjoys connecting with others, speaking in Spanish and engaging in fun activities. Garry is 67, retired, and lives with his wife. Garry explains how connecting with his local Men’s Shed has changed his life and given him a sense of purpose. He notes that you can go to the Men’s Shed to sit and have a coffee, a chat or work on projects that interest you. Garry encourages others to make the most of the wide range of community social groups available. To find out more about options available to you go to Stay Connected.
Staying supported at home
Francesca and Luigi's story
Luigi 71 and Francesca 78 both live at home alone and receive an Australian Government subsidised Home Care Package. Luigi and Francesca share how the support received through their package has enabled them to maintain their individuality and independence at home. They highlight the range of services available and the impact these support and service workers have had on their lives. Services Luigi receives include podiatry services in the home, domestic assistance, and lawn mowing, as well as his red motorised scooter, which helps him to get out and about in the community independently. Francesca receives assistance with housework and shopping and regularly uses the community transport service to attend social activities. To find out about aged care services in the home go to Stay Supported.

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Contact our Stay Connected and Supported Team
Contact our Stay Connected and Supported Team for further information and assistance