The aim of individual social support is to assist frail, older people to participate in community life and feel socially included through meeting their need for social contact and company.

Assistance is provided by a companion (paid worker or volunteer) to an individual, either within the home environment or while accessing community services, which is primarily directed towards meeting the person’s need for social contact and/or company in order to participate in community life.
Social support includes:
• visiting services
• telephone and web-based monitoring services
• other technologies that help connect older people to their community areas)
• assisting the person through accompanied shopping, bill-paying, attendance at appointments and other related activities.