Shopping support and social outings that make everyday life easier
Shop together, get out and about, or let us take care of it for you.
DANS provides shopping assistance for older people, people with disability, and anyone who needs extra help while recovering from illness or injury. A DANS care worker can come to the shops with you, help with groceries and errands, or complete the shopping on your behalf. For many people, it is also a chance to get out of the house, enjoy some company and stay connected with their local community.
What is shopping assistance?
Shopping assistance is practical help with getting the food, groceries and household essentials you need. It can be as simple as some help making a list and getting around the supermarket, or having someone take care of the entire shop when getting out is difficult.
At DANS, the important part is that you stay in control. You choose what you want, the brands you prefer and how much you want to spend. If you enjoy doing your own shopping, we can go with you and provide the extra pair of hands you need. If you would rather stay at home, we can shop from your list on your behalf.
How we can help with shopping and getting out
Planning your grocery shop
- Helping put together a grocery list
- Checking what you already have at home
- Planning groceries around meals for the week
- Helping keep track of regular household essentials
Shopping and social outings together
- Accompanying you to the supermarket or local shops
- Helping find, carry and manage your shopping
- Helping manage a trolley and groceries
- Supporting you at the checkout
- Combining shopping with other local errands
- Enjoying a coffee, lunch or another outing while you are out
- Helping you stay active and connected in your local community
Shopping on your behalf
- Completing a grocery shop from your list
- Following your preferred brands and usual choices
- Checking with you if something is unavailable
- Bringing your shopping back home
Unpacking and putting groceries away
- Carrying groceries into the home
- Putting refrigerated and frozen items away
- Helping organise pantry items
- Checking older food while putting new groceries away
Support that keeps you independent
For some people, shopping becomes difficult long before they want to stop doing it altogether. Walking around a supermarket, carrying bags, reaching shelves or simply having enough energy to complete a full shop can become harder over time.
But getting out can be about much more than completing a shopping list. A trip to the shops can be an opportunity to have a coffee, visit somewhere familiar, run a few errands or simply spend some time out in the community with someone alongside you.
DANS can provide as much or as little help as you need. That might mean joining you for the weekly shop and a coffee afterwards, helping with a few errands while you are out, or completing the shopping entirely on days when getting out is difficult.
Who can DANS help with shopping and social outings?
DANS can provide shopping support for older people receiving aged care at home, people living with disability, and people who need practical help while recovering from illness, injury or surgery.
Shopping assistance and social outings can be arranged as regular support or combined with meal preparation, cleaning, personal care and other in-home services as part of your overall care plan.
Our services are grouped into broader pricing categories, so the pricing label below may not exactly match the name of this service. What you pay will depend on your funding pathway and any applicable subsidies or contributions.
Social support & respite out home, shopping (in service 10km included)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Questions about in home care, funding, and getting started? We've answered the ones we hear most.
Can a DANS care worker do my grocery shopping without me?
Yes. If getting to the shops is difficult, a DANS care worker can complete your grocery shopping on your behalf using an agreed list and your usual preferences. The shopping is then brought back to your home and, where needed, we can help put it away.
Can I go shopping with my care worker?
Yes. For many people, the goal is not to stop shopping but to make it easier. A care worker can accompany you, help with carrying items, managing the trolley and getting your groceries home. If transport is also required, we can discuss how that fits within your care plan.
Who decides what groceries are purchased?
You do. We can help organise the list, but your preferences, budget and usual choices guide the shop. If we are shopping without you and something is unavailable, we can follow any agreed substitutions or check with you before changing it.
Does aged care or NDIS funding pay for my groceries?
Generally, funding may cover the support you need to plan, complete or assist with shopping where it forms part of your approved care, but your actual groceries and everyday household purchases remain your own expense.
Can shopping assistance be funded through Support at Home?
Yes. Shopping is an Everyday Living service under Support at Home. You need to be approved for the relevant service, and a participant contribution may apply depending on your individual circumstances.
Can NDIS participants receive shopping assistance?
Shopping assistance may be funded where the support is related to your disability, meets the NDIS funding criteria and is covered by your plan. This might mean a support worker shops with you, helps build your skills and independence, or completes a task you cannot reasonably do yourself.
Can shopping be combined with meal preparation?
Yes. Shopping and meal preparation work naturally together. For example, we can help organise meals for the week, buy the ingredients and then prepare meals at home as part of your agreed support.
Still have questions?
Get in touch. We're here to help.
Ready to get started?
We’d be happy to speak with you. Contact us for a free care assessment, or simply have a chat with our team to ask questions and understand your options.
