What is a Support Worker – and how can they help? 

If you, or a loved one has been looking for in-home care due to ageing, disability or mental health struggles, you’ll no doubt have come across the term ‘Support Worker’.   

But what exactly does a Support Worker do? And how can they help make people’s lives a little easier, safer while supporting independence?  

Practical and personal 

A Support Worker is a trained professional who assists people who need help with daily living. Their role is flexible and the supports they deliver are individual to each customer because everyone’s needs, abilities and goals are different. 

Support Workers can assist with tasks such as personal care, cooking, cleaning, shopping, transport and medication prompts, but their work goes far beyond these practical requirements… 

A good Support Worker is also encouraging and brings companionship – they’re the kind of people you look forward to welcoming into your home, which can sometimes seem daunting. These Support Workers don’t just make your life a little easier – they make it brighter too.  

At Avivo, we employ incredible, caring and empathetic people who are born for this role. And because Avivo is a Registered Provider, you can rest assured your Support Workers are fully trained professionals with a team of support behind them. 

You can read more about the connection between Support Workers and their customers through The Support Project here. 

Supporting independence, not replacing it 

Another important area of Support Worker’s job is helping people maintain and build independence. Instead of stepping in and doing tasks for a customer, in many instances, the Support Worker will work alongside the customer to carry out that task, helping promote confidence and independence. This might look like supporting someone to take part in activities they enjoy, helping with mobility or exercises set by health professionals, or encouraging someone to learn new skills. 

Helping you stay in your home for longer 

Many people want to remain in their own homes, with their own familiar surroundings and in the community they know. Support Workers help make this possible – for as long as possible – by supporting people to be safe, comfortable and connected at home and in their community. 

With the right support, staying at home for longer becomes a realistic and empowering choice. 

What a Support Worker looks like across aged care, disability and mental health 

Support work isn’t one-size-fits-all. Depending on the person’s needs, a Support Worker may: 

• Aged Care: assist with daily living, mobility, wellbeing, monitoring changes, social connection and home safety. 

• Disability Support: support skill-building, community participation, communication, personal care and independence goals. 

• Mental Health: help with routines, encourage self-care, support recovery goals and assist with accessing community services. 

Across all areas, the heart of Avivo’s Support Worker role remains the same: delivering respectful, person-centred support that helps people live the life they choose. 

Keen to learn more about how a Support Worker can help you or a loved one? Let’s chat! Call Avivo on 1300 428 486 or email hello@avivo.org.au.