Having lived alone since her husband passed away in 1985, Mrs Kuzmiuk's need for a help network has gradually grown since then.

While once she delivered the meals-on-wheels, she now takes up council's offer of at home support services.

Almost fortnightly, volunteer Marianne Bradley pops over to Mrs Kuzmiuk's house to share a cup of tea and learn another of the colourful stories from the German-born immigrant's past.

Mrs Bradley is one of a network of volunteers - currently in short supply - which support the more than 350 elderly residents who access Orange City Council delivered Choices At Home services.

Mrs Kuzmiuk said she enjoys the extra company and Mrs Bradley said she enjoys feeling like she's contributing to Orange's strong culture of volunteering.

Both agree it's beneficial for seniors to stay in their own homes as long as possible.

"It's very important. I'm so afraid of the old homes," Mrs Kuzmiuk said.

"My parents lived in their own house until the day they died."

Mrs Bradley said she believes the elderly become less interested in the world around them when they're in aged care.

"For someone like Elizabeth - she's got so much to live for," she said.

"It keeps them alive. It keeps them engaged."

Mrs Kuzmiuk said she's lucky having a daughter in Orange who comes to visit every day and grand children she sees regularly.

Unfortunately, many others aren't so lucky.

There are currently seven seniors who are waiting to be allocated their own Mrs Bradley and receive regular visits from a volunteer.

Orange City Council's Community Services chair, Stephen Nugent said volunteers aren't required to have hours to spare.

"I feel like we can all agree, the older we get, the more we would ideally like to stay in our own home," he said.

"By having volunteers help out our elderly residents once a week, that becomes a reality. You don't need to be qualified to do it, as long as you are willing to help them out with a few simple tasks, you've ticked the box."

Head to the council website for more information, or give the team at the Choices at Home office a call on 6393 8968.