» Older People's Health - Inpatient Services
There are four wards at Auckland City Hospital that form part of the Older People's Health Service. Three wards are located in the the Support Building. Awatea Ward and Marino Ward are on level 14. Remuera Ward is on Level 13. The Integrated Stroke Service is based on the fifth floor of the new building.
These wards work very closely as a team and a unit. There is a strong Interdisciplinary team (IDT) focus on all four wards. This team is made up of nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, dietitians, speech language therapists, pharmacists and others, who all make contributions to the patient's care. Each person within the Interdisciplinary team contributes their own knowledge and skills directly to the plan of care.
What to Expect
You will be referred to hospital if your doctor thinks you would benefit from time in hospital to undergo assessment and treatment of your condition or for rehabilitation. You may be referred from home by your GP or from another ward in the hospital if you need more time and therapy to manage at home.
From your arrival at our hospital we will be working with you to achieve a safe plan for leaving hospital. This will be done in agreement with you, your family/whānau and the team. This may involve a family meeting and a home visit assessment with an occupational therapist before leaving hospital to assess what additional supports you will need at home.
You are a part of the team. One member of the team will be identified as your key worker. He/she will be the key person for you and your family/whānau to ask any questions, or support you to work out what you want to achieve and set a plan for leaving the hospital.
Although there are doctors involved with your care they may not see you every day if you are medically stable. They are always happy to talk with you or your family. Your nurse can set up a time to suit.
The time you spend on the ward depends on the progress you make and whether or not you benefit from daily rehabilitation with the therapists. The purpose of rehabilitation is to regain independence, so you will be encouraged to do as much for yourself as possible during your time on the ward.
Rehabilitation occurs 7 days a week. You may be asked to join a number of activities and groups that all support you getting better.
We ask for your enthusiasm and commitment to the process. We appreciate and encourage your family's involvement in the rehabilitation process.
We are really enthusiastic about you:
- bringing in your own clothes and getting dressed every day
- sitting out of bed during the day and resting back in bed only when necessary
- cooperating in working with the rest of the team to get you back to doing what you want
- having your meals in the dining room or with other patients where possible
- you may be given an exercise program by a physiotherapist that you may be required to undertake yourself with guidance from a physiotherapy team member.
» Older People's Health - Outpatient Services
Our outpatient clinics are held in the Home Health and Older Peoples's Health Building (Building 17) at Greenlane Clinical Centre.
Your GP will refer you to this service if they think you would benefit from seeing a doctor who specialises in care of the elderly to assist with any difficulties related to illnesses affecting you or if they feel you would benefit from a specialist doctor's advice regarding your medical condition.
We commonly see people who have multiple medical problems and medications who are at risk of losing their independence e.g. people with falls, memory problems, continence issues, stroke or mobility problems.
We also see people for assessment before going into a rest home or private hospital. There are two parts to this:
1) an assessment by a doctor in the outpatient clinic to make sure there are no reversible health issues that are affecting your ability to live at home
2) an assessment by a needs assessor at your own home to look at the options to assist you at home or to help with the financial implications and choice of rest home when requested by a doctor
The waiting times for clinics range from 1 week to 3 months, depending on the urgency of the condition described in your GP's referral letter.
Please contact the Contact Centre on the numbers listed above to confirm your appointment. Hearing and/or speech impaired patients are welcome to confirm their appointment via email.
Family members and caregivers are welcome to attend the appointment if you wish.
Please arrive in the Department 15 minutes before your appointment. Every effort will be made to keep to the appointment time, but delays may be experienced.
Should an interpreter be required for you because you do not speak English as a first language, the interpreter will be arranged prior to your appointment.
What to Expect
You will see either a Geriatrician or a Registrar (a doctor training to become a specialist) with supervision.
The average length of an initial clinic appointment is 1 hour with tests occurring afterwards often taking another 30 minutes.
During the clinic appointment you will be asked about any symptoms you have as well as your past medical history. It is very common in this clinic to be asked a series of questions to test your memory. You will have a physical examination and may have blood tests, an ECG (tracing of your heart) and a chest x-ray, depending on what problems you have.
The findings and plan will be discussed with you and a letter sent to your GP.
What to Bring to your Appointment
- all of your medications and tablets in their original bottles
- any x-rays or other medical information that may be relevant to this appointment
» Older People's Health - Domiciliary Assessment Services
Your GP may request a home visit by one of our team members who specialises in the care of older people. This occurs if you are unable to come into hospital or your problems would be best assessed in your own home.
The waiting times for home visits are usually 1-2 weeks.
What to Expect
You will be phoned the day before and asked if it is OK for us to visit.
The visit will take about 1 hour. You will be asked about your symptoms, past medical history and how you are managing daily activities. It is usual to ask a series of questions to test your memory and you will have a physical examination. We encourage family/whānau to be present.
The findings and plans will be discussed with you and a letter sent to your GP.
Should an interpreter be required for you because you do not speak English as a first language, the interpreter will be arranged prior to a home visit.
» Auckland City Memory Service
Our Auckland City Memory Service is held in the Home Health and Older People's Health Building (Building 17) at Greenlane Clinical Centre.
The Memory Service offers an in depth screening and problem-solving service to people who have mild memory problems.
We aim to encourage the independence of people with memory difficulties. We offer support and practical advice to clients and carers, such as recommendations on medication, memory aids, driving ability and/or referral to other specialist agencies that work with people with memory problems. Please, click here for more details.
» Community Rehabilitation Team
This is a home based intensive therapy programme for people who need help to recover from illness or help with a transition back to home from hospital. Please, click here for more details.
