Services for older people in Nelson Marlborough
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora helps older people continue to live safely and independently in the community.
Services we provide
Our staff work with you and your whānau to help you make the best decisions about your health and wellbeing.
Our assessment will:
- identify your needs
- focus on maintaining your independence
- identify steps to help you meet your potential
- put a support plan in place.
If you require in-home support, you will be asked to select an agency who will let us know how you are doing. If it is necessary to adjust your support plan you will be involved with these decisions.
Home support services for older people and others
Regular reviews will help you have the appropriate support to maintain the most of your independence.
Home-based services
Support is available to help you with your personal care needs, such as washing or dressing, or essential housework.
We will always focus on helping you to be as independent as possible, or to regain any lost independence.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels is a support service that prepares and delivers a subsidised hot midday meal.
You usually need to be referred to the service by a healthcare provider.
The Citizens Advice Bureau has contact details for Meals on Wheels services in each region.
Meals on Wheels community directory — Citizens Advice Bureau
Personal care support
If you receive help to have a shower, your helper should also clean the shower afterwards.
Your individual situation will help us work out how often you receive this type of support.
Essential housework support
This support makes sure your home environment will not harm your health.
Essential housework tasks include:
- cleaning bathrooms (if not already completed as part of the personal care support)
- changing bed linen
- cleaning kitchen surfaces and floors
- vacuuming the main living areas.
Housework does not generally include dusting, cleaning windows or any maintenance of the outside of your house.
Eligibility for housework services
To be eligible for housework services, you must have a current Community Services Card.
Community Services Card — Work and Income | Te Hiranga Tangata
If you do not have a Community Services Card, and housework support is your only need, you may have to pay for this service.
If you have someone living with you that may be able to help, you are not eligible for this support.
The providers are:
Day programmes
Day programmes connect you with your community.
You will be picked up and taken home, and you will receive a meal before going home. Day programmes are tailored to your situation and are available if you:
- have poor mobility
- have memory loss or other cognitive challenges
- would rather attend smaller groups held in people's homes
- like larger groups or activities hosted by their residential care provider.
Your Needs Assessment Services coordinator will help you to decide a suitable programme.
Respite care
Respite care is available for people who are cared for in their home by someone who lives with them.
If you are a caregiver and need a break, have to go into hospital or become unwell, we can organise respite care for the person you care for.
For more information about respite services contact the needs assessment service.
Carer support
Carer support is another way that we can give you a rest from caring for someone.
It is different from respite, where the person you care for stays somewhere else for a short time.
Instead, someone will come to your house while you are away. They can claim reimbursement but are not considered to be a paid carer.