More older New Zealanders are embracing help at home, so they can live independently and get on with life on their own terms. 

It is normal to occasionally feel overwhelmed by chores like grocery shopping, travelling to and from appointments, and cleaning. When they become a bit too hard to manage on your own, it might be time to think about home care to ensure you keep on top of things and look after yourself.

If you’re reading this, you may be wondering whether you need in-home care and how it all works. It is important to decide what is right for you and to talk about it with your loved ones, as many older New Zealanders don’t discuss their wishes for care with their families in advance.

Even if you aren’t quite ready for in-home care yet, knowing how it works and being clear about what you want will ensure you can access your preferred method of care in the future.

In this blog, we explain the common signs that indicate you require help to keep living independently at home and how home care can be organised.

Signs that home care is the right choice for you

Do any of these situations sound familiar?

You are…

  • Often too tired to cook your favourite meals
  • Increasingly worried about having a fall
  • Unable to drive yourself safely to appointments and social outings
  • Forgetting to take medication or to pay bills on time
  • Neglecting chores around the home because you’re worried about hurting yourself
  • Fatigued by daily tasks like walking to the mailbox, taking out the bin and hanging the washing
  • Misplacing things like your keys
  • Missing appointments or social commitments
  • Eager to have regular companionship in your home
  • Unable to care for yourself as well as your spouse
  • Wishing you could get out and about more often

If you relate to any of these scenarios, it is important not to be too hard on yourself.

It is common to experience situations like these as you get older, and it is also normal to feel as though asking for help is a burden or loss of independence, but it’s actually the opposite. Having someone to drive you to appointments, the shops, and to social outings, for example, will give you the freedom to get out of the house. Importantly, having assistance with difficult chores can reduce your risk of injury, which means you stay healthier and able to live at home for longer.

How senior home care services work

The type of in-home care you receive depends upon your circumstances. We recommend a Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC) agency assessment to determine if government funded support is available and the level that is appropriate. It is common for older New Zealanders to need more care than is offered by the NASC agency. This is where Home Instead comes in – we can provide a private service to fill that gap for you.

Things you can get help with include:

  • Shopping and meal preparation
  • Medication reminders
  • Transport
  • Housekeeping and laundry
  • Bathing and dressing
  • Companionship

Once your needs are determined, we match you with a suitable CAREGiver who you meet before your first service.

When looking for a care provider, it is important that you understand the support and assistance that is available to you and find a carer who can not only meet your needs, but also get along with you.

Learn more about how to access private care by calling our Home Instead New Zealand office on 09 300 6053. Our team explains the entire process in a way that is easy to understand, so you feel confident to make decisions for yourself and know what to expect.

If you require assistance ugently, please call us we are here to help.