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Needs Assessment & Service Coordination - Dunedin | Southern | Te Whatu Ora

Public Service, Older People's Health

Needs Assessment

The NASC work within a Restorative Support Service model which aims to maximise a person's independence. The service will be person centred and goal oriented, seeking to build on the individual person’s strengths. The service aims to provide flexible, integrated support services for service users, which will enable them to continue to age in place.

Needs Assessment

A needs assessment is a comprehensive assessment of a person's functioning, what a person can do for themselves and what support they need. It will look at how  needs can be met and whether a person qualifies for publicly funded support.

The assessment is completed by a registered health professional employed by the DHB, called a Clinical Needs Assessor. The clinical needs assessor will come and see the person in their home. Family/whānau are encouraged to attend the assessment where possible. Clinical Needs assessors also see people in hospital to help with returning home or if entry to Aged Residential Care is indicated. 

The assessment and support planning process is very comprehensive. The assessment used is called interRAI and can take up to two hours.

This page was last updated at 2:40PM on February 13, 2024.