Monash University is calling for people to help on a study to address isolation and loneliness.
The research team needs participants to help evaluate the federal government’s Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS), which sees volunteers visit older people to provide friendship and companionship.
Conducted for the federal Department of Health and Aged Care, the study will investigate social isolation and loneliness in ACVVS participants and Australian seniors generally.
Longitudinal data shows that one in five older Australians feel loneliness, especially those aged 75 and over. That increases for older people living in aged care facilities, where estimates indicate that between 35 to 61 per cent of residents feel lonely.
Those eligible for the study include people aged 65 and older who:
• live in a care home, receiving government-subsidised residential aged care, or
• live in the community, receiving a government-subsidised Home Care package.
More information on the voluntary study can be found here. Those interested can also call (03) 9905 2971 or email acvvs.evaluation@monash.edu
.
