Need information about non-acute (not medically urgent) services for older people in the Waikato DHB area? This web page provides links to some organisations and useful websites that can help.
- If you need help with a personal health issue see your general practitioner first.
- If you come across jargon or abbreviations you don't understand, don't be afraid to ask. You can also check the Glossary section on the Eldernet website .
The links below are for services funded by the district health board (DHB), which are available for people aged 65 years or older who live at home and may need some form of long-term support. The links provided are not exhaustive, but are a good starting point for your enquiry.
Scroll down for more information about:
- Accessing services at home
- Age-related residential care
- If you have concerns about an older person
- If you are needing support to care for an older person at home
- Keeping the older person safe and healthy
- Useful information for health professionals and others working with older people
- Service descriptions
If you cannot find what you need please contact Disability Support Link (DSL), which is the Waikato DHB's Needs Assessment and Service Coordination Agency ph: 07 839 1441 or Freephone 0800 55 33 99.
Websites full of information for older people and their carers/families are:
- Eldernet
Eldernet provides you with timely, relevant information about services for older people in New Zealand. The Eldernet site includes a nationwide database directory and information about: community groups and organisations, retirement and lifestyle villages and living, home help services, respite care and short term options, aged care services, rest homes, residential care, private hospitals, dementia care, public hospitals and other third age services for seniors.
The Eldernet "FAQ" (Frequently Asked Questions) section is a good source of advice. - Age Concern
Age Concern is committed to promoting wellbeing, rights, respect and dignity for older people. Through a national office and a nationwide network of 35 Age Concerns, we provide services, information and support to older people in response to local needs.
- Ministry of Health website - section on the health of older people
- Seniorline
SeniorLine is a national service. It is funded through a contract with Auckland District Health Board. It has a lot of very good general advice for older people and their families, although its detailed listings relate to Auckland and Northland.
Accessing care and support services at home
How do I organise a needs assessment to find out if an older person is eligible for Waikato DHB-funded assistance?
Contact Disability Support Link (DSL), which is Waikato DHB's Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) agency.
Email: dsloffice@waikatodhb.health.nz
Ph: 07 839 1441 or freephone 0800 55 33 99.
Anyone, including the older person themselves, can refer an older person to Disability Support Link for a needs assessment.
More information about Disability Support Link (DSL)
What if the older person I am concerned about lives in a different part of New Zealand?
A full list of Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) agencies for each district health board in New Zealand is on the Ministry of Health website
What is a needs assessment?
Read the Ministry of Health booklet Needs Assessment and Support Services for older people – What you need to know’
Who provides services in the Waikato to help older people in their own home?
Webhealth lists service providers
Eldernet provides a region by region listing of service providers
Age Concern has information about a range of services, and provides general advice
NZ Home Health Association is a organisation of providers of community support services
Disability Support Link can also provide information about local providers
Where do I find out about what type of services are funded for long-term care?
Read the Ministry of Health booklet Needs Assessment and Support Services for older people – What you need to know’
About long term residential care for older people
What steps do I need to take when considering long-term residential care for an older person?
Seniorline website has a good step by step approach.
Age Concern also has good information on its website.
The Ministry of Health website has some useful information in their Health of Older People / Long-term residential care section
Where do I find a vacant residential care bed in the Waikato DHB area?
Eldernet has a list of available beds by facility, locality , and by level of care – updated regularly.
Disability Support Link can assist with information 07 839 1441 or freephone 0800 55 33 99
How does the funding for long-term care in a residential care facility work?
A needs assessment is required before funding can be applied for.
Specific information about funding can be found in the Ministry of Health information booklet Long-term Residential Care for Older People - what you need to know . The booklet can be downloaded from the Ministry of Health website or you can order a hardcopy.The Residential Care Subsidy (means and asset testing for long term care) is explained at the Work and Income NZ (WINZ) website
Eldernet includes questions about funding and financial support in their FAQ section on residential care
What services are covered by the DHB contract for Age-related Residential Care?
There is a national Age-related Residential Care Contract which all district health boards (DHBs) use as a basis for contracting and funding local service providers.
You can view the national template contract here.
Section D of the contract describes the services provided to residents assessed as needing long-term care
You can also call the Residential Care Information Line: freephone 0800 737 777
Any specific queries can be directed to the Waikato DHB's Health of Older People portfolio manager on 07 834 3646.
Are additional charges for Age-related Residential Care allowed?
If you are concerned that additional charges are being made, call the Residential Care Information Line: freephone 0800 737 777
Or contact Waikato DHB's Health of Older People portfolio manager on 07 834 3646.
Where can I access the quality audit reports for Waikato DHB residential care facilities?
The Ministry of Health publishes summaries of recent audit reports for the general public - see the Rest home certification and audits page on the ministry's website
If you have concerns about an older person
How do I find out more about getting help related to elder abuse?
Go to the Age Concern website - there is a section on elder abuse and what to do.
Where do I get advice about an older person who is struggling to cope at home alone?Where do I get advice about an older person who is struggling to cope at home alone?
Contact Age Concern (Hamilton)
Or contact Disability Support Link to discuss getting a needs assessment.
Email: dsloffice@waikatodhb.health.nz Ph: 07 839 1441 or freephone 0800 55 33 99.
How do I make a complaint about care provided by an agency or organisation to an older person?
In the first instance you should contact the organisation providing the care (if known) and discuss the issue with them.
If you are not satisfied with their response you can:
- Contact the Waikato DHB's Health of Older People portfolio manager on 07 834 3646.
- Contact the Health and Disability Commissioner on 0800 11 22 33
- If the person is in a residential care facility – you can also contact the Ministry of Health’s certification section
Where is there help for the older person to manage prescribed medications safely and correctly?
Talk to your pharmacist.
Contact Disability Support Link on 07 839 1441 or freephone 0800 55 33 99 for an assessment if help with taking medication is needed.
Support for carers
How do I organise a break from caring for an older person at home?
There is support available for those people who are the primary care giver. This is often called "respite" care and "carers support days".
Contact Disbility Support Link on 07 839 1441 or freephone 0800 55 33 99 for more information and advice about the break or support you need and what support you may be entitled to.
Where can I find help and support?
Talk with your own GP / family doctor. It is important that you look after yourself.
Often the best support is from people who understand your situation. For information and advice, see:
- New Zealand Carers Organisation
- Alzheimers New Zealand - help and support for carers
- Alzheimers Waikato
- Age Concern - support for carers
- Age Concern - visiting service