If you’ve spotted the signs, just follow the steps.
Noticing that a loved one isn’t coping can be concerning. But help is at hand and there are steps you can take.
The holiday season often brings many of us together for an extended period. With those days and weeks spent at close quarters, we sometimes become aware of the passing of time and the way that older relatives, in particular, might be struggling with the demands of day-to-day living. If that sounds like a scenario you’re familiar with, Radius Care is here to help you plot a path forward.
A 6-step Care Plan
Coming to understand that a loved one may be in need of residential care can be a confronting thought. It’s an idea that can reveal itself by the smallest action or comment. But once you’ve noticed it, it’s hard to forget.
The team at Radius Care, one of
New Zealand’s leading residential care providers, does everything to make the transition from home to care as easy and comforting as possible.
Their 6-Step Care Plan shows you the way.
STEP 1 - ORGANISE A NEEDS ASSESSMENT
If you feel it’s time for a loved one to receive greater care and attention, your first step will be to organise a Needs Assessment with your local Needs Assessment Services Co-ordinator (NASC).
This is to determine whether your family member is eligible for long-term care in a rest home. Anyone can enter residential care of their own volition, but if you wish to receive
disability support from your District Health Board (DHB), then it’s essential to undergo a needs assessment.
To make an appointment with NASC, you can either get a referral from your GP or hospital, your local DHB or directly from NASC.
STEP 2 - COMPLETE A NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Once an appointment has been made, a Needs Assessor will visit you to discuss the specific health requirements of your loved one.
The Needs Assessor will work closely with your family or whanau to discuss the options and support services available. Depending on these findings, your family member may be entitled to rest home care, dementia care or continuing care in a psycho-geriatric.
Once eligible for rest home care, you will be given a Financial Means Application to receive public funding.
STEP 3 - CREATE A PLAN OF ACTION
After the Needs Assessment has been completed, the NASC will develop a plan to facilitate the commencement of the services you or your family member are entitled to and authorise entry into a rest home that provides an assessed level of care.
Your Needs Assessor will give you a list of all the rest homes in your area. You can choose any provider that has a DHB contract to provide your assessed level of care.
If you or your family member wish to receive care in a rest home that doesn’t have a contract with a DHB, the cost will not be able to be covered by the government.
STEP 4 - CHOOSE THE RIGHT REST HOME
Different people have different needs when it comes to the rest home they settle in. So, it’s vitally important that all factors are taken into account.
From proximity to the extended family group to familiarity with the surrounding location, the way a new residence ‘feels’ is as important the services and support it offers.take the time to visit a range of facilities and speak to each of the Facility Managers.they will be able to answer any questions on the spot, allay your concerns and help you make the right choice for you and yours.
STEP 5 - SIGN THE ADMISSION AGREEMENT
Before moving into a rest home, an Admission Agreement needs to be signed.the purpose of this is to protect the resident and the rest home by setting out the responsibilities and expectations of both parties.
This will cover any extra services you have agreed to receive and pay for, costs and extra charges, liability for damage or loss of belongings of the resident, resident safety, transport, procedures and the complaint process.
Once the Admission Agreement has been signed your loved one will be able to move into the rest home of their choice.you can now rest assured that they’re in safe hands and will be well looked after.
STEP 6 - APPLY FOR A SUBSIDY OR LOAN
After the NASC assessment, you can apply for a financial means assessment straight away.this application will be made to Work and Income.the purpose is to establish whether the applicant qualifies for public funding through a Residential Care Subsidy or Residential Care Loan.
It is recommended that you apply for an assessment as soon as possible, as you will be required to pay for residential care until Work and Income has approved your application.
If your friend or family member has entered residential care of his or her own accord, without going through NASC first, they will be personally liable to pay the full cost.
These simple steps help you avoid the pitfalls that can sometimes spring up.the best way, though, to get the ball rolling is to contact someone at your nearest care home. Radius Care has care homes right across the country and their team are always happy to help.