Residential Care Line
This is a free information service for older people and their family / whanau about rest homes and private hospitals, rental accommodation, retirement villages, home care and activity groups for Greater Auckland and Northland.
The free 0800 phone numbers operate New Zealand-wide for enquiries about residential care. Information available includes useful information on: how to get help to stay at home, short-term relief care for caregivers, asset testing and costs for residential care, details on services that should be provided for residents receiving public funding, Admission Agreements and complaints.
What to expect?
Moving into residential care involves important decisions and a lot of different emotions for all concerned. If you are thinking about residential care, you have already been through many changes in your life - deteriorating health, illness and loss of a caregiver are just some examples. You may still be learning to cope with these changes.
The decisions to be faced can be overwhelming. None of us expect to look for a rest home for a family member or ourselves. You may try to carry on a little longer, however difficult things are.
It is worth looking at what support services there are to help you manage at home. A needs assessor / service co-ordinator or social worker can assist with this. If you find you need more help than is available, then at least you know you have tried.
Perhaps you have also tried living with family and it has not worked out. This is quite common and is no-one’s fault. It can be a great relief for everyone when an alternative is found.
Moving into residential care can be a positive decision for both the caregivers and the cared for - you can now enjoy a relationship free from the constraints and burdens of care. Carers can still choose to be involved in practical ways. Emotional support is always important.
If you are thinking about residential care you should begin by having a Needs Assessment.
Government agencies require an assessment before going into a rest home or private hospital. This has two parts to it. The first is an assessment by a specialist doctor to look at any health issues that could be affecting your ability to live independently. It is often a good chance to have a general review of your medications. At the clinic your medical history will be reviewed and you will have a physical examination. Depending on your wishes, you may see other members of the team to look at what could be done to help keep you in your own home. The second part of the assessment is done by the needs assessment co-ordinators. They look at what options you have with respect to home assistance and the financial implications of going into a rest home. This assessment usually takes place after the clinic appointment.
The Needs Assessment ensures that:
| › | You know of support services that would help you to remain in your own home, e.g. district nurses, home care, day care |
| › | You have access to specialist medical advice and / or rehabilitation which may improve your health |
| › | You have help with making this critical decision. It is difficult to return home once you have left and moved into care |
| › | You know the assessment criteria for public funding of residential care. There can be financial risks if you are not aware |
A Needs Assessor will visit you at home to talk with you about the choices open to you and how much help you need. The Needs Assessment identifies the level of support you require and need is categorised as 'low', 'medium', 'high', or 'very high'. Long-term residential care is usually only considered for 'high' and 'very high' categories.
For people with 'low' to 'medium' needs, the Assessor works with you to develop a support "package" to help you stay at home. This can include a mix of publicly funded services, services you buy in yourself, as well as help from family and friends. If it is not possible for you to stay safely at home, the Assessor may authorise entry to one of these residential care options: rest home, specialist dementia rest home, private long-stay hospital or specialist private long-stay hospital.
To get an assessment you can either phone NASC yourself or your doctor can refer you. If you are in hospital, you can be seen in the ward.
It is strongly recommended that you have a Needs Assessment before entering long-term care, even if you are not yet financially eligible for a Residential Care subsidy.
If your money runs out, you have to meet the needs assessment criteria before you can apply for a financial means assessment by Work and Income. The rest home / hospital must advise you in writing of these risks.
If your money runs out, you have to meet the needs assessment criteria before you can apply for a financial means assessment by Work and Income. The rest home / hospital must advise you in writing of these risks.