Find Products / Services / Business / Leisure for Elderly and Retired

Aging at Home

Aging at Home

AGING at home or "in place" are growing concepts and terms in this day and age, and refer to staying in your own home  and accessing services to make life safe and enjoyable.
This section sets out information people need to consider before deciding what options may be best for them. For more in depth information on any of the below information return to "Other Information Page". 

Accepting Help in the Home

FOR people struggling at home it makes financial and 'emotional' sense to purchase services that are needed. Obviously it is sensible to firstly explore options that can be funded by the Ministry of Health, Work and Income etc. In addition to these services people may consider complementary services such as Home Help, Meals etc.

In making the decision to stay at home or go into care, people should not only consider cost. Other important factors are safety, health and wellbeing. Staying at home to save money in the end is not a wise option.

View local Agencies Providing Care at Home

View local Home Help Services available

Home Support Services

 Top | Back

 HOME SUPPORT SERVICES assist older people to stay at home. Most Home support hours are paid for by the Ministry of Health and include personal care and home help. Actual help around the home is available only if the person has a Community Services Card or Super Gold Card or if granted by a GP. Personal Cares (such as help for showering or bathing) and Carer Support are not asset tested.
See below for more indepth information.

 

Actual Home Support

 Top | Back

MANY older people are helped to stay in their home by having a Home Support Worker coming into assist.  If people are experiencing difficulty coping with everyday tasks e.g. housecleaning, laundry, shopping etc) they may qualify for Domestic Assistance paid for by the Ministry of Health. A Needs Assessor will complete an assessment which in turn will indicate the amount of Assistance that can be allocated each week. Most Domestic Assistance hours are used for housework, laundry etc,but depending on needs, time can be allocated for shopping and in special cases meal preparation.

In general if people have a Super Gold Card (with community services card number on it ) they will meet the financial criteria for paid help.

Generally the tasks will be established and set times arranged for the worker to arrive. Although some people can initially be apprehensive about someone coming into their home, in most cases the worker and the client establish a good working relationship.

Many people choose to pay privately for Domestic Assistance. This applies especially to people who do not qualify for funded assistance, either because they do not meet the financial criteria or they do not qualify on a needs assessment.

People can also supplement their paid Domestic Assistance with private hours. There is considerable debate about using an agency or "the woman down the street". The advantages of using an agency are:

  • Some professional oversight and monitoring of the work
  • Ability to provide relief for holidays and sickness etc.
  • Usually a degree of screening and training
  • Most Home Support Agencies will charge between $20.00 - $25.00 per hour.

Private Domestic Assistance is usually a little cheaper but many workers avoid declaring their earnings for tax purposes and have no real accountability.

View local Agencies Providing Home Care at Home:

View local Home Help Services available:

Home Support Agencies and Agencies Providing Care

SOME of these agencies operate fully funded through contracts from District Health Boards (DHBs) and Ministry of Health, whilst others are totally private and again others are a mixture of both, and also provide home support on a user pays basis.

Personal Care

PERSONAL CARE involves assistance with such tasks as showering, dressing, putting to bed etc.

Some people are entitled to paid personal care assistance but this is very dependant on their needs assessment.Without assistance in the home, many people receiving personal care would otherwise be facing residential care.

Night Stays

MANY agencies offer night sleepover care services.Again funding for this may be available through the Ministry of Health following a Needs Assessment where care needs are high and the normal caregiver needs to be relieved of the constant responsibility of providing care and oversight. A maximum of three nights per week may be funded. This service may also be purshased privately.

View Agencies Providing Care in your local area:

Day Activites/Care/Programs

LONELINESS, lack of stimulation and boredom are often factors for older people at home, especially for those elderly living alone. Day Care Schemes,Volunteer Programmes and Visitation services can assist, and some financial help may be available for Day Activities/Care.
Day Activity/Care Centres may provide the "highlight of the week" for many older frailer people who would have difficulty getting to activities without assistance.

Day Activity/Care is seen as increasingly important for people who would otherwise be isolated. The acronym of C.A.R.E sums up the objectives of the programme, i.e/ Company, Activities, Recreation, education. The programmes offer a mixture of socialisation, entertainment, fun and stimulation to keep the mind active.

Some providers offer transport to and from the centres that provide Day Activity/Care at a small cost. They enjoy a substantial meal at midday as well as morning and afternoon tea. Most programmes run from approximately 10 - 11am through to about 3.30pm.
Usually the centres are properly staffed so that people can be assisted with some personal help if necessary, e.g. getting to and from the toilet, transfers etc. Some Daycare providers provide mini bus transport.

Funded Assistance for DayActivity/Care:- In some circumstances fees for Day activity/care can be paid through a Disability Allowance. Funding may also be available through the Ministry of Health follwing a Needs Assessment.In general it is offered to people with high care needs who require day care in order to stay living at home.

Link here for more Work and Income information on assistance

View Day Activties/Care/Programs in:

Meal Services

MEALS on wheels or precooked meals are also helpful. Many of these can be delivered to your door either as hot ready to eat meals or precooked, frozen ready to heat and eat meals. These provide sensible alternatives, especially for older people living alone ensuring a well balanced, nutritious meals.

Over the past few years there has been a real increase in the number of services which deliver meals to the door. There are also numerous precooked and frozen alternatives available. These
Meals on wheels are often available with subsidy through the Ministry of Health and a maximum of five meals (Mon - Fri) can be delivered each week. Various dietary needs are taken into account.

An assessment of a person's need has to be made first - often through your Doctor or by a District Nurse- they will refer for a certain number of meals each week. Meals are often delivered by volunteer drivers.

A number of rest homes and private businesses also provide ready prepared meals both as hot or/and precooked ready frozen meals.

View your local Meal Providers:

Volunteer Friendship/Visiting

TAURANGA has an accredited visiting service that runs through Age Concern. Click here for more details.

Medical Alarm Services

MEDICAL ALARMS are highly recommended for anyone with frailty and medical conditions - especially for people who live by themselves. A large number of users have their alarm systems paid for by a Disability Allowance.

Most systems operate by having a button either as a pendant (worn around the neck) or a wristband (similar to a watch). When the button is pressed a device attached to the telephone is activated and the control room receives a signal. Operators will generally call you to determine if the system has been set off accidentally or not, and if they do not receive a reply they will often phone people on a list that you have previously supplied. Most people will list immediate relatives, neighbours or friends who would be able to respond quickly.

The St John Lifelink in Bay of Plenty connects directly to the ambulance service who will also ring you to determine whether the system has been set off accidentally. They will ring and send an ambulance out if there is no reply, or if there has been an incident. 

The use of Medical Alarms has increased dramatically in the last few years. The users have a much greater feeling of security, knowing they can summon immediate help, should they have a medical emergency, a fall, or ever suspect they have an intruder.

The alarms may be included under the Disability Allowance. Your Doctor will need to identify the need, and sign a form to explain that the alarm is essential, and that the need is ongoing. WINZ can supply both forms.There are a variety of systems on the market.Anyone can contact an alarm place of their choice and most of the alarm companies will assist you with all the application forms, Doctors forms required etc. 

Link here for Work and Income information on assistance.

View Personal/Medical Alarm Providers here: 

Medic Alert Emblems

MEDIC ALERT EMBLEMS are worn either as a wrist bracelet or neck pendant, by over 92,000 New Zealanders.The reverse of each disk shows the emergency phone number, and the persons ID and medical details.

The registered members also carry a wallet card, and in an emergency these alert ambulance and medical personnel to a condition that requires special treatment. By phoning the emergency number, which is staffed 24 hours per day, vital medical information can be forwarded immediately. Over 200 medical conditions place individuals at risk, the most commonly referred to Medic Alert include Diabetes, Epilepsy, Asthma, Allergies, Coronary Heart Disease etc.

The Medic Alert Foundation is a non profit organisation which believes no one should be without the service because they cannot pay, however donations and grants are welcome.

To apply contact:

The NZ Medic Alert Trust
P.O Box 40028
Upper Hutt 
Ph: 04 528 8219
Fax: 04 527 9540

Security

SECURITY is often a big worry for older people and their families especially those living alone.
In addition to the Medical/ Personal Alarm systems, there are a variety of other security services available in most areas and there are some excellent security systems available. Below is a list of suggestions:

  • Get to know your neighbours.
  • Arrange for good quality locks to be fitted.
  • Securistays can be fitted to windows that open for ventilation.
  • Double hung window sashes can be locked together by a bar which fits through both sashes.
  • A stout dowel dropped into a ranch slider track prevents the door from being  jemmied open.

Security Systems

Security Systems usually consist of:

  • Infra-red detectors which detect body heat and movement and/or magnetic contact switches on doors and windows.
  • A keypad so the householder can arm or disarm the system.
  • Usually internal and external sirens.

It is vital to ensure that the system is not repeatedly set off as a false alarm, otherwise neighbours etc. fail to respond.
Some systems can be connected via telephone line to a monitoring company, but these are considerably more expensive.

Costs

The entry point for a professional system is about $1000.00.....or for around $1500 a good professional system can be installed.

View local Security Professionals

Section and Garden Care

SECTION and GARDEN CARE often becomes a worry for the older person.

One of the most common problems for older people is keeping the lawns, garden and hedges under control. Many qualify for Disability Allowance to pay for a gardener to maintain the section. Gardeners must be able to provide a receipt. This can also be extended to cleaning of outside windows. Again there are a variety of home maintenance contractors in any area.

There are numerous gardening/lawn services available in your area. Assistance may be available through Disability Allowance via WINZ for these services.More information here. 

View Property Home Maintenance/Security:

In some cases a Disability Allowance is available for some services. Contact WINZ for more information or click here.

Other Considerations in Staying at Home

 Top | Back

My friends have all died.

Although "Ageing in place" is a useful concept, sometimes environments change and friends die or move away, decreasing a feeling of being part of the community.

Practicality of the Home

Despite the availability of ramps, rails and house alterations, some homes are simply not practical for older, frailer people. Steps and stairs are often the biggest hurdle, some houses have steep access and others have large maintenance bills looming. Some houses are located a long way from services and people feel isolated and cut off.

Staying with family

Staying with family has cultural significance for many especially for Maori and Pacific Island people. The decision to stay with family should always be thought through thoroughly as there are many examples of relationships breaking down and situations failing.

Some considerations are:

  • Is there a very clear understanding about what the financial arrangements are? This should be in writing rather than just "assumed".
  • To what extent are family expected to help, or alternatively, to what extent is the older person expected to help in the family.
  • In cases where a parent is coming to stay, have the husband and wife fully discussed with each other the implications and how this may affect various relationships?.
  • If the family has children still at home, what will the relationships between the children and the grandparent be like? (remember living with someone is vastly different to regular visits to, and a teenager's choice and volume of music do not usually go down well with grandparents!).

Overall having a frank and open discussion is essential but often difficult to accomplish.

Helpful Hints For Getting Things Done

 Top | Back
  • Sit for as many activities as possible
  • Use slow, smooth movements. Rushing will increase your discomfort. Plan before you do something.
  • Consider the best time for each activity. If morning is the most difficult time for you, try doing somethings in the evening.
  • Eliminate unnecessary  tasks (i.e dishes can be air dried).
  • Don't carry items if you can push them. Slide, don't lift. Push, don't pull. Try using a cart.
  • Bend at the knees, not at the waist.
  • Take frequent rests.This will prevent over fatigue and leave you ready to go on with other activities.
  • Pre-plan your activities, try a daily and weekly schedule.
  • Organise your activities and try and to do them in the same manner at all times.Repetition of the same methods will make you proficient in them.
  • Always inhale, then exhale with the strenuous part of the exercise.

Equipment in the Bathroom

Problems of getting in and out of a shower or bath, or on and off a toilet seat are common for people with with a degree of disability. Shower modifications can be made by installing the right type of rails and handles; providing safety seats, or in some cases, "wet floor" showers can be installed. These have a special non-slip vinyl as a base and have no shower tray to step over.

Occupational Therapists can recommend special Ministry of Health funding for essential modifications like wet floor showers for those who meet the criteria, especially when there are safety factors involved. It's can also recommend bath boards, bath seats, devices to assist in and out of baths as well as tap modifications.
In general it is always advisable to ask about possible funding assistance for modifications before planning any alterations. A variety of handles and rails can be installed to improve safety and mobility within the bathroom.

See providers of Disability/ Mobility Aids in your local area:

Toilets often present problems for older people. Elevated toilet frames are the most common toilet aid, but others include raised toilet seats, seats for assisting transfers etc. Portable urinals and commode chairs are available from Occupational Therapists's, District Nurses or may be purchased privately. These are especially useful for those who have difficulty getting to the toilet on time.
Specialised advice and assistance for continence issues is available from the Incontinence Nurse service, and there are many products on the market now to help with continence problems.

View Continence Products and Care:

Equipment in the Kitchen

Nowadays there are innumerable devices to assist people in the kitchen. Specialised advice can be sought from OT's, specialised consultants or from specialised health organisations such as the Arthritis Society and Foundation for the Blind.   

The most important consideration is safety. Safety factors should guide you to:

  • Having all the necessary items near at hand, without having to stand on chairs etc. to reach.
  • Not lifting heavy and hot items from an oven when your grip is not as strong as previously.
  • Not having loose mats, uneven floor surfaces or protruding items of furniture, that are likely to trip you up.

Essential Factors to be Considered in the Kitchen

Proper planning and organisation  of the kitchen is essential. The arrangements that have been in place for much of a person's adult life may not be suitable in older age. Important factors to be considered are:

  • Maximum horizontal and vertical ranges.
  • Kitchen layout on a three point walk triangle.
  • Storage facilities that eliminate reaching above or below easy reach positions, with frequently used items near at hand. Utilising special bin drawers that can slide in and out with ease.
  • There is a wide range of specialised cutlery, crockery and kitchen utensils for people with weaker grip, or for people with limited use of hands and arms. These include wide grip cutlery, utensils with special non-slip grip surfaces, specialised cutting boards, can openers, bottle openers, bowls, pourers etc.
  • Many devices help to ensure safety such as pot stabilisers, long handled tongs, strainers, pan lifters etc.
  • Microwave ovens are now common-place and although some older people still see them as "new technology", microwave ovens can significantly make cooking easier and safer. Some simple microwave ovens can be purchased for around $100.00.The advantage of being able to heat frozen meals or "leftovers" quickly and easily means that microwave ovens are a real advantage for elderly people living alone.
  • Many older people use a small cook and  grill oven for cooking or reheating meals.

Equipment in the Bedroom

The most common device is an Adams Pole - a sturdy metal pole anchored to the bedside, that assists people to get in and out of bed. Other equipment such as a free standing monkey bar can help in sitting up, shifting weight, exercising or transferring to a wheelchair if the person has good upper limb strength. There are a variety of methods of assisting with mobility, comfort and safety in the bedroom; Occupational Therapist's or local District Nurses could advise on the following:

  • Height of beds
  • Specialised bed covers, sheepskins
  • Blankets, duvets etc
  • Pillows
  • Backrests
  • Blanket supports and cradles
  • Pressure relief products

Equipment that Helps Life At Home

Reachers: the most common reacher is the "helping hand". These well known devices assist people pick up objects when it is too difficult to bend down. They are available from Occupational Therapists for loan or purchase, or check out our page "Disability/Mobility Aids" in your local area. See below for links.

Chair Raisers: Raising standard lounge chairs  by several centimetres can dramatically assist people with disabilities or frailties to get in and out of chairs.
Special blocks of wood are the most common raiser although metal raisers and plastic raisers are available.

Spring Assisted Lifting Chairs: Portable spring driven seats can be placed on existing chairs.

Specialised Chairs: Occupational Therapists's can advise on specialised chairs for individual needs.Electric recliner chairs enable people to either sit down or get up by having an electrically driven elevated seat. As a general rule of thumb, the best type of chair is a supportive upright one where the position of the hips are level or higher than the knees.

Clothing and Dressing: Specialised, but comfortable clothing is available for people with limited mobility or limited ability to dress.
OT's can advise on various styles, but some of the more common features are:

  • Wraparound styles that make dressing and undressing easier.
  • Tracksuits.
  • Use of Velcro fastening systems to avoid buttons and zips ( providing Velcro is fastened after clothing is removed and before laundry, to prevent snagging on other fabrics).

A number of dressing aids are available - the main ones are:

  • Long handled shoe horns
  • Devices to remove shoes from feet
  • Two dowels with cup hooks to pull up socks
  • "Stocking gutters" to pull on stockings or pantyhose
  • Dressing sticks with hooks for pulling clothes on

View providers of helpful mobility aids and equipment stockists:

Helpful Hints for Dressing

  • Have clothes within arm's reach. Sit to dress and stand up only once to pull all clothing into place.
  • Dress the lower part of your body first, as this requires the most energy. If you have one arm or leg that is weak, dress this side first.
  • Bring your feet up to you, rather than bending over (unless you have had a recent hip operation). Avoid bending over, as well as lifting your arms above your head as these motions can increase shortness of breath.
  • Using breathing control,remember to breathe in before the motion, and to breathe out on the exertion. Breathe in, then slip the shirt over your arm as you breathe out.
  • When putting your leg in a crossed- leg position - remember to breathe in, then breathe out as you bring your leg up. NB avoid this position if you have had a recent hip operation.
  • Take frequent rests. Use the breathing as a way to slow yourself down.
  • Do not exert yourself.
  • Allow yourself plenty of time to dress.
  • AVOID RUSHING.

Home Alterations / Occupational Therapy

 Top | Back

ALTERATIONS to your home may also become necessary, as may the provision of some equipment in order to assist and ensure safety. Occupational Therapists can access and in some cases can approve funding for some of the alterations/equipment. There are also a wide range of devices, appliances,equipment and general aids to make life easier and safer.

View "Disability Mobility Aids" in your local area to find local providers.You will also find other national product providers that public can access listed.

For your local Occupational Therapists see:

Community Services

 Top | Back

COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES such as District Nursing and Incontinence Assistance may be available in your area. 

View Health Professionals in your area.

Continence Care products in your area.

For more indepth information also see Services for Older People and Community Health Services.

At Home Care

Property Home Maintenance / Security / Furniture & Furnishings

Health Services and Products

Health Professionals

Other Professionals

Hospitals / Retirement Living/Other Living Options

Community Organisations

Senior Publications / Resources / Advocacy

Activity/Fitness/Leisure

Other Services / Products

Transport & Travel

What's On

Mobile Services

Latest Listings

Home

About Us

Accessibility Tips

Comments

Contact Us

Disclaimer

Site Map

Advertisers

Sponsorship Opportunity!!

Other Helpful Information

Other Helpful Information

© 2008 At Home Care.