Companionship & Community Access - What Are They & How Do They Differ?

by Careseekers

Both Community Access and Companionship care and support are forms of non-medical care and support that are vital to many members of our community.

What Is Community Access?

Individuals requiring disability support or aged care services may find it difficult getting out and about and experience significant challenges. Community access support is support that delivers physical access to environments external to the home and encompasses travel to and from, along with the task performed in the community. Some examples of community access include:

  • Access to vocation and employment
  • Support to access social, sporting and recreational activities
  • Medical appointments, shopping and errands

What Is Companionship?

The goal of companionship is to provide emotional support, socialisation and friendship to individuals. This kind of support is unique to each individual person and aims to improve an individual’s well being and to maintain a positive mind frame as well as reduce feelings of loneliness. Some examples of companionship support include:

  • Having morning tea and a chat with the care and support worker
  • Playing a game of chess
  • Watching a movie together
  • Taking a walk

What Is The Difference Between Companionship & Community Access?

Companionship differs from community access support in that the services required aim to give the individual a sense of social belonging and being a part of a supportive network whereas community access support enables individuals to connect to the wider community by attending appointments, getting out and about, running errands or particpating in community activities.

Whether it be companionship or community access services that you may require, at Careseekers we have wonderful care and support workers we can match you with to provide these types of services.

To find aged care services, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/services/aged-care-workers

To find disability support services, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/services/disability-support-workers

To become a care or support worker, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/carer