How to feel comfortable with a new support provider 

For many people, starting with a new support provider brings a mix of relief and uncertainty.  

It’s a big step – you want the very best, but inviting someone new into your home and routine can be a bit daunting. 

If you’re feeling hesitant, that’s completely normal. 

Why starting new support can feel difficult 

Opening your home to a new person isn’t a small thing. You might have worries about your independence, your privacy, what it means to accept help, and the standard of support you’ll receive. 

We often hear carers share concerns like: 

• Will you understand me or my loved one properly? 

• Will routines be disrupted? 

• Will this change how things feel at home? 

After doing so much yourself or with another provider, it can feel hard to hand things over. 

But good support isn’t about taking over. At Avivo, we believe it’s about supporting you to keep living life in a way that feels right – with our help on your side. 

What good support should feel like 

The right support should feel steady, respectful, familiar, and built around your life. 

It should be: 

• Person-centred 

Shaped around you or your loved one’s needs, preferences, and routines. 

• Flexible 

Able to adjust as things change over time. 

• Respectful 

Supporting independence, not replacing it. 

When selecting a provider, consider:  

• Are they a registered NDIS provider?  

• Do they offer flexible, person-centred support?  

• Are they local and connected to your community?  

• Can they adapt to your needs over time?  

How to ease into new support  

If you’re just starting out, here are some small steps you can take to ease into support at your own pace.  

• Start small 

Begin with shorter visits or one type of support. This gives everyone time to adjust without feeling overwhelmed. 

• Share what matters 

Talk through routines, preferences, and all the little things. You could share how you or your loved one likes their tea, what helps them feel at ease, what a good day looks like. 

• Ask questions 

Getting to know your support worker builds confidence. You’re allowed to ask, clarify, and take your time. 

• Give it time 

It can take a few visits to settle into a rhythm. That’s okay – relationships grow gradually. 

• Speak up if something isn’t right 

Your feedback matters. The right provider will listen and adjust, so the support feels right for you. 

Advocating for what matters 

At Avivo, we support our customers and their carers in recognising their rights as advocates, and the options available to make sure what matters to you is clearly heard and understood. 

We’ve put together a guide on how to advocate for better disability support, which is a good starting point if you’d like to understand more about the options available – many of which apply across aged care and mental health too. 

Avivo – a different kind of support 

At Avivo, we often talk about doing things with you, not for you. By this we mean that you stay in control of your day and any carers remain a central part of care, just with more support around them. 

Woven throughout our support is our commitment to people and place – locals supporting locals, with familiar faces who know and understand you.   

A familiar face, every time 

One of the biggest concerns families have is having different people coming in and out of the home. Our ‘Same face, every time’ approach means you will see a consistent Support Worker who understands your routine and preferences. 

This helps: 

• build trust; 

• reduce repetition; and 

• support continuity.  

The right Support Worker 

Every Support Worker at Avivo is carefully matched to our customers based on personality, preferences, and the type of support needed.  

We speak with you, learn about daily routines, likes and dislikes, and choose someone who will genuinely complement you, not just complete tasks. 

You’ll be matched with a carer who intimately understands your way of doing things.  

Over the years, we’ve seen how strong these relationships can become. Some of our customers, like Athena, have had the same Support Worker for years. Their relationship is a true testament to the trust and connection that comes from being matched with the right Support Worker. 

Support Workers who are locals 

At Avivo, our Support Workers also live and work in the same communities they serve.  

So, as well as a friendly face who deeply understands your needs, you’ll also have someone who knows where to get a great coffee as well as the shortcut to the local post office. 

With over 80 neighbourhood teams across WA, Avivo’s home services are proudly built on these intimate, local connections.  

It’s all about your comfort  

At its heart, good support is about feeling understood and at ease in your own home.  

With time, the right people, and a shared way of working, that comfort builds naturally.  

Finding a support provider that suits your needs and values is so important. The result is better health and lifestyle outcomes – something we’ve been helping our Western Australian customers achieve for nearly 60 years. 

We’re here to chat.

Get in touch with our friendly, Perth-based team today and we’ll help you find the right support that’s tailored to the way you live