If you thought support workers were just for routine activities like attending medical appointments or helping with personal care, think again! With the introduction of new and innovative funding schemes like the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and My Aged Care (MAC), there has never been more flexibility for the types of things your support worker can empower you to do.
What Is a Support Worker?
In Australia, a support worker is someone who provides companionship and assistance to an older person or someone who lives with a disability. This assistance can look very different for different people, depending on their unique needs, circumstances, abilities and goals. Some support workers may live with the person they provide care for, whilst others will have specific times of day that they support the individual. Support workers can help you within the home with tasks like personal hygiene assistance, domestic assistance and food preparation, as well as support you in doing social, professional or healthcare tasks outside of your home.
Engaging a Support Worker to Meet Your Needs
Finding the right support worker for you or a loved one who is older or lives with a health condition or disability can be life-changing. They can support you to access your local community and participate in events and social gatherings, make things easier for you to live at home independently, help you to learn a new skill or hobby, and so much more. Everyone has the right to do what they enjoy, with the support they need to remove any barriers.
At Homage, we know how important it is to you that your loved one receives the utmost quality of care. Our support workers are a team of dedicated, professional and compassionate support workers who strive to create a personalised, enjoyable, carefree experience for every individual they support. We never take a one size fits all approach but rather take the time to listen to what matters most to you and your loved ones to ensure your support services afford you the dignity and respect you deserve.
All of the Homage’s support workers truly care about creating amazing outcomes for our clients. Your safety and wellbeing are our number one priority, so you can rest assured knowing that all of our support workers are thoroughly screened to ensure:
- Certificate III or above in Aged and Disability Care
- Current CPR Certification
- Up to date vaccinations in line with government requirements
- National police checks, statutory declarations and other documentation required for aged care and NDIS regulations
- Screening for personality matching, experience and competence to ensure you get the best support worker for your unique needs.
If you want to find out more about how Homage can assist you or a loved one in leading a richer, more fulfilling and independent life, reach out today. You can schedule an obligation-free Care Consultation by filling out the request form on our website or by calling 1300 705 029. Our Care Hotline is operational from 9 am to 6 pm on the weekdays and 9 am to 5 pm during the weekends.
Now that you know a bit more about how you can use support workers to enrich your life or that of someone you love, read on to get some specific ideas for unique activities you can do with a support worker and start making exciting plans for your future today.
Outdoor Activities You Can Do With Your Support Worker in Melbourne
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There is no need for older people or people living with disabilities to miss out on all the exciting sites and activities that Melbourne has to offer. Melbourne is a culturally diverse, vibrant city with so many things to see and do, and with the right support worker by your side, the sky’s the limit! Here are just some of the fun activities you and your family may want to consider participating in
1. Smell the Roses at Parks and Rose Gardens
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Stop and smell the roses at Werribee Park and Victoria State Rose Garden. Located in Werribee Park in Victoria’s South West is the Victoria State Rose Garden. This internationally acclaimed park and garden boasts over 5,000 roses which are in bloom between October and May. Parks Victoria is proud to offer a range of support options to make visiting their parks and gardens easier for older people and those with disabilities. You can hire an all-terrain wheelchair so you can explore the grounds at your leisure, and additional support is available on request. Want to check it out before making the journey to Werribee? No problem! Accessibility advocate Ryan Smith has created a great video tour of the Victoria State Rose Garden as part of a series of virtual tours designed to help you and your family decide which parks will be most accessible and enjoyable for you.
2. Take a Guided Tour at Royal Botanic Gardens
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Take a guided tour of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Located in the heart of Melbourne, a short stroll from Flinders Street Station, is the iconic Royal Botanic Gardens. There are few things more quintessentially Melbourne than a tour of the “Tan”. Mobility aid users are welcome on all guided tours, and wheelchairs can be accessed from the Visitor Centre, and the Terrace Cafe daily from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information about access to the Royal Botanic Garden or to book a wheelchair for your visit, check out their website.
3. Nurture Your Inner Child at Scienceworks Museum
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There is something every child (and grown-up child!) to enjoy at the iconic Scienceworks in Melbourne. The iconic science and technology museum is family-friendly and also offers social stories to support people with autism to know what to expect upon their visit. Take a leisurely tour of their exhibitions, take in their planetarium and get lost in the wonder of science!
Address: 2 Booker Street
Spotswood, Victoria, 3015
Open daily from 10 am – 4:30 pm (closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday)
4. Head to a Cafe for a Classic Melbourne Brunch
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Melbourne is renowned for its world-class dining culture, with brunch and amazing coffee at the forefront of its offerings. Venture out to explore some of the city’s most iconic cafes, like Industry Beans Cafe in Fitzroy. The Industry Beans team has been serving up delicious coffee and food for over ten years and now has locations across Victoria and New South Wales. Their iconic Fitzroy location hosts its largest coffee roastery, a cafe serving their Signature Brunch menu 7 days a week, as well as a retail store and training facility. Enjoy a fresh brew and an avocado toast like a true Melbournian by visiting them at 70 – 76 Westgarth Street Fitzroy, VIC 3065, open 7 am to 3:30 pm on weekdays and 8 am to 3:30 pm at weekends.
5. Check Out the Latest Exhibit at ACMI in Federation Square
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For a day out the whole family will enjoy, check out Melbourne’s iconic museum showcasing all things film, television, video games and art. Offering a host of free and paid exhibitions, galleries, interactive experiences and tours, this Melbourne hotspot allows you to dive into the world of the moving image. Visit ACMI in person at Federation Square (across from Flinders Street station) daily from 10 am to 5 pm. General admission is free, with some paid attractions available. Can’t get there in person? No worries, they also have a range of exciting activities that can be done online from the comfort of your home.
6. Explore the Queen Victoria Market
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One of Melbourne’s most iconic tourist and shopping attractions since 1878, there is something for everyone to enjoy at Queen Victoria Market. Offering a wide variety of fresh produce, excellent dining and speciality shopping, come and see why this has been a cornerstone of Melbourne life for almost 150 years. Make sure to check their website for the most up to date market days and hours, as these are subject to change.
Activities to Do With Your Support Worker at Home
Do you prefer a cosy day to a busy day out in the bustling city of Melbourne? Great! There are so many fun and interesting activities your support worker can assist you with from the privacy of your own home. From a Netflix and chill session to learning a new skill, here are just some of the things you can do with your support worker at home.
Fine-Tune Your Independent Living Skills
7. Meal Preparation
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Practise skills like food preparation to help you stay nourished and healthy.
8. Financial Skills
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Improve your financial skills by learning how to keep a basic budget or grow your savings for the future.
9. Cleaning
Keep a clean and comfortable home by getting your support worker to help you tidy one space in your home during each visit.
10. Photography
Become a photographer by practising taking great home photographs using your smartphone to capture memories.
11. Planning
Practise planning your independent travel by looking up train, bus or tram schedules or practise using the Public Transport Victoria’s Journey Planner.
12. Communication
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Communicate with loved ones by learning how to send emails, text messages or schedule video chats to stay connected with loved ones from home.
Enjoy Relaxing Lifestyle Activities
13. Gardening
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Reap the relaxation benefits of gardening by potting some indoor plants. Adding a pop of vibrant green to your home not only looks great, but it can also be good for your health. Focussing on taking care of your houseplants can ease anxiety, improve focus and attention and some plants even purify the air and alleviate allergies. The next time you have your support worker visit you, put on your gardening gloves and get your green thumb to work!
14. Taking Care of Animals
Get support to take care of your pets. Households pets are an amazing source of companionship and can help you feel happier and safer at home. Support workers can assist you in taking care of your furry friends by assisting with feeding them, washing them or taking them for walks.
15. Cooking and Baking
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Simple cooking and baking activities. Embrace your inner Masterchef and get creative in the kitchen with the support of your support worker. Whip up a delicious meal or bake some delicious treats to share with loved ones (or keep them for yourself!). Making yummy treats is a great way to practice self-care and improve your skills in the kitchen.
Home Entertainment Activities to Do With Your Support Worker
16. Treasure Hunt
Embrace your inner child by doing a treasure hunt in your home or garden. Ask your support worker to hide a list of items around your home so that you can tick them off once you find them.
17. Movie Night
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Binge your favourite show. Have a relaxing afternoon by enjoying your favourite show or movie on television, Youtube or streaming services like Netflix or Stan. Everybody deserves to just chill out on the couch now and then!
Pamper Yourself With a Home Beauty Spa Day
Sometimes a day of pampering is just what the doctor ordered. You can ask your support worker to help you have a relaxing day by:
18. Makeup
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Doing a new beauty or makeup routine.
19. Nail Care
Give yourselves manicures and pedicures.
20. Hair Care
Trying out a new hairstyle or hair care routine.
21. Skincare
Having a facial at home with a luxurious skincare regime.
22. Meditation
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Tending to your inner beauty with a mindfulness meditation practice.
Stay Active at Home by Exercising
23. Home Workout
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Doing a home workout in the sunshine in your yard.
24. Dance
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Dancing to your favourite music.
25. Take a walk
Going for a walk in your neighbourhood.
26. Light Exercise
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Stretching or doing a yoga flow.
Get Your Creative Juices Flowing With Arts and Crafts
27. Drawing
Spend a quiet afternoon colouring in or drawing or painting a work of art.
28. Reading
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Read a good book or listen to an audiobook.
29. Make a Collage
Make a collage or sculpture with materials found around the home.
Join in on Fun Virtual Activities From Your Home
30. Online Workout Class
Do a workout class from home using an online tutorial.
31. Theatre Sports Games
Play theatre sports games like charades with friends.
32. Learn New Languages
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Learn a new language with an online service like Duolingo or Google Translate. Take turns with your support worker to quiz each other and build your skills!
33. Play Pictionary
You and your support worker can take turns drawing something and trying to guess what the other person is drawing. First, to guess the answer correctly can win a prize.
34. Interview Your Support Worker
Getting to know your support worker is always fun, and their life experiences might surprise you! Write a list of things you’d like to ask your support worker and enjoy getting to know them better. This can also help you improve your confidence and communication skills.
35. Attend an online party!
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Technology now means that there are more ways to connect with others online than ever before. Check out the City of Melbourne’s online book club to find new friends to discuss your latest read with, or even go to a virtual online nightclub to enjoy exciting dance beats from the comfort of your own home.
Need some assistance with care for yourself or your loved one? Find out how Homage can help!
- Upskilled. (n.d.). Job Role – Disability Support Worker. Retrieved April 14, 2022, from https://www.upskilled.edu.au/your-career/job-roles/disability-support-worker
