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Chapter Three

Older People's Health – If you are over 65 with any health, mental health, or disability issue

If you are over 65 and have a chronic illness or disability that may continue for six months or longer, you may be entitled to support services funded through your District Health Board. In order to get the support services, a Needs Assessment is done by specialists usually based at your local hospital.

What is Needs Assessment?

A NEEDS ASSESSMENT determines what services you will need to maintain or improve your health or mobility. A form is completed by the Needs Assessor after either visiting you in your home and talking with you, or visiting you in hospital, or at an Outpatient clinic or Day Hospital service. Once the assessment is completed, you will be asked to sign the needs assessment form, and you will receive a copy.

What if I do not understand the form or the process?

You may have someone with you to help you understand such as a friend, family/whanau member, a Patient Advocate, or an interpreter. All you need to do is ask for assistance.

How do I get a Needs Assessment?
  • You can phone Older People's Health at the hospital and ask for one, or a friend or family/whanau member can ask for one for you.
  • Your GP can ask for one.
  • Any Community or Social Service Agency can ask for one for you.
  • Hospital Services can ask for one for you.
  • These are called Referrals for a Needs Assessment and your permission must always be sought before a referral is made.
How do I contact my local Needs Assessor and Service Co-ordinator?

Dunedin – Dunedin Hospital – 470 9111
North Otago – Waitaki District Health Ltd – 434 8770
South Otago – Clutha Health First – 418 0500
Central Otago – Central Health Ltd – 449 2878

What happens next?

You may have to wait for a Needs Assessment to be done. You can ask how long you may have to wait.

Once the assessment is done the Service Co-ordinator will explain what help you are entitled to and help you choose the service you need. The Service Co-ordinator does this by giving you information about what is available from service providers and contacting the agency of your choice to put these services in place.

The Service Co-ordinator will also give you information about other services such as support groups in the community.

What services are available?

Community Supports

  • Domestic Assistance – someone to help with housework. You must have a Community Services Card to get this service.
  • Personal Care – someone to come in and help with showering, dressing, toileting and bedtime routines.
  • Day Care – a place for you to go during the day to socialize and participate in activities and outings.
  • Respite Care in a Rest Home – a temporary stay in a rest home to give your carer a break.
  • Respite Care in Hospital – a temporary stay in a hospital, or hospital level care in a rest home, to give your carer a break.
  • Night Sitter Service – someone to come into your home to sit with you during the night to give your carer a break.
  • Community First – if you qualify for rest home care but want to stay in your own home, intensive and rehabilitative caregiving is offered through a trial project in Dunedin operated through Presbyterian Support Otago.

Residential Care

  • Rest Home Care – you may need to leave your home and live in a rest home indefinitely.
  • Hospital Care – your health needs may require you to enter a hospital.

Your Carer

  • There may be a friend or family/whanau member who usually provides care for you on an informal basis. This person may be entitled to Carer Support through the assessment process. Carer Support gives paid days or half days for someone else, or to people who provide relief care in a formal setting, ie. a rest home, to care for you so that your family/whanau carer can have a break from the caring role. You or your carer can ask for this or you or your carer can ask your GP or assessment facilitator about this.
What can I do if my needs change or I have problems with my Service?

Contact your Service Co-ordinator

  • if your needs change or
  • if you have a problem with the agency providing the service or
  • if you wish to change to a different agency to provide the service.

If you are not satisfied with the actions taken, then contact the Nationwide Health and Disability Advocates on (03) 4790265.