Carelink

Carelink is a service within the West Coast District Health Board providing Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination for people who have an identified need for support services. It provides a single point of entry to support services using a comprehensive assessment approach to find innovative interdisciplinary solutions enabling individuals to meet their assessed needs with the resources available.

• What is a Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination (NASC)

  The purpose of NASC is to assist elderly people to live as others do, in their home and community, through the provision of support NASC work in partnership with people with disabilities, family, whanau and carers.

• Referrals

  If someone requires support either in the home or needs to be placed in a rest home, a referral form may be completed and sent to Carelink for a Needs Assessment. The referral can be from a GP, family member, social worker, carer, community worker or anyone who works with them or supports them. Sometimes a referral will be forwarded on to a department that is more appropriate to deal with the clients needs, ie, Occupational therapy, Social worker, Mental Health etc.

  Referral Process

  Once a referral has been received at Carelink, it will be triaged the following morning by a minimum of two staff who will assess the information given on the form. A Needs Assessor will be allocated and also a time frame for the client to be seen in, according to the information we have received on the form.

  Timeframes

  Priority 1	within 24 to 72 hours
  Priority 2	within 5 working days
  Priority 3	within 5 to 15 working days
  Priority 4	within 10 to 20 working days
  Priority 5	15 or more working days

  A Referral Acknowledgement letter is then sent to the referrer with a copy being sent to the client and the GP.

• Needs Assessments

  A Needs Assessment is the first step in identifying what help you need to manage as well as possible in a safe environment.

  Needs Assessment Process

  1. The client will be contacted by their Needs Assessor to arrange a time for an appointment. Family members may be present at the assessment if requested. A Needs Assessment may take approximately 1—1.5 hours to complete and is usually done in the persons home.
  2. Once the assessment is complete, services and/or rest home placement is requested and processed by the assessor, the client is notified of the outcome and a care plan is forwarded to the GP and Service provider.

  Your Support Plan

  We understand that each clients needs will be different. Therefore , we tailor each care plan to support your specific needs. Our team know about the support options that are available on the West Coast and can talk to you about what publically funded support services are available which might be suitable for you.

  Services available through Carelink

  Carelink is able to co-ordinate services for older persons for;

  • Household Management (Note: For Household management , you must have a valid Community Services Card)
  • Personal Care
  • Carer Support
  • Respite Care in a residential facility
  • Rest Home permanent placement
  • Hospital level care placement in a residential facility or in a hospital
  • Placement in the Dementia unit for AT&R
  • Referrals to other services

  New Zealand Eligibility for Public Health Services

  If you are a New Zealand Citizen or are a resident, Public Health Services are free Non Citizens or residents do not qualify for free services, the Needs Assessor will discuss this with you when they visit.

  When your needs change

  If your needs change at any time, a new referral can be sent to Carelink and a re-assessment/review of your needs can be arranged

• Meeting your cultural needs

  Whatever your cultural background, Carelink will deliver our service in a way that respects and values your culture.

  Carelink has a Maori Needs Assessor who is available to assess and support you if you would prefer.

  How we value Difference

  The people that we support come from many diverse cultural backgrounds and we are having conversations daily with you to find culturally appropriate older persons support services to meet your needs.

• Assisting older people to live safely and independently in the community

  The West Coast District Health Board assists older people to continue to live safely and independently in the community. We will work with you and your family to help make the best decisions about your health and wellbeing. The assessment will identify your needs and focus on maintaining your abilities as well as identifying areas of improvement in how you cope on a day to day basis.

  With your input during the assessment, we will support you to regain and maintain independence. Steps to help you meet your potential will be indentified and a support plan put in place.

  The support services agency you have selected to work with you will develop a flexible plan to help you achieve those steps. It may be necessary to adjust your support plan as your goals are achieved or your situation changes. You will be involved with these decisions.

• Community Services Card

   

  Regular reviews will help to ensure you have the appropriate support to maintain maximum independence and functioning. Please note: If you wish to receive Household management, you must have a valid and up to date Community Services Card. If you are not eligible for a Community Services Card, you may be required to fund any Household Management hours required. When a Needs Assessor visits, they will discuss this with you.

• Useful websites for Older Persons

   

  • ElderNet - Your Information Service
  • West Coast Primary Health Organisation
  • Health Navigator New Zealand
  • Public Trust New Zealand

• Aged Residential Care facilities on the West Coast

   

  (The following table displays Aged Residential Care facilities on the West Coast and the services provided there.)

  NAME	LOCATION	REST HOME LEVEL CARE	HOSPITAL LEVEL CARE	RESPITE	CARER SUPPORT	DAY CARE	DEMENTIA	DAY PROGRAMS
  Allen Bryant Lifecare Rest Home & Hospital	Hokitika
  Dixon House	Greymouth
  Dunsford Ward	Buller Hospital
  Enliven Program	Greymouth & Westport
  Granger House & Richard Seddon Hospital	Greymouth
  Kahurangi Unit	Greymouth Hospital
  Kowhai Manor	Greymouth
  Kynnersley Home	Buller Hospital
  O'Conor Home	Westport
  Reefton Hospital	Reefton Hospital
  Ziman House	Reefton Hospital

  Please Note: All services must first be approved through the Carelink referral and assessment process.

• How to greatly reduce the risk of an Emergency to you and your family

   

  Select any of the following links to find out more on how you can get ready for an emergency.

  • Prepare Your Household
  • Emergency Supplies Kit
  • Emergency Checklist

  Please also see the Civil Defence and Get Thru website

• Fire safety plan, smoke alarm fittings and maintenance

   

  Why you need an escape plan

  All of your family needs to understand the Escape Plan and to practise escaping from each room in the house by the two exits.

  Most fires start in kitchens (25%), bedrooms (13%), and lounges and family rooms (16%).

  Make sure your family practises escaping from these rooms every three to six months.

  Remember, you need to:

  • Have working smoke alarms
  • Know two ways out of every room if possible
  • Make sure that doors and windows needed for escape are clear and easy to open, and that there is a safe way to reach the ground from upper floors
  • Keep keys in deadlocks at all times when home
  • Have an outside meeting place, such as a letterbox or a special tree
  • Make special plans for young children and older people.

  Resource:

  • www.fire.org.nz - Why you need an escape plan

  Why you need a smoke alarm.

  Most fire fatalities occur in homes, mainly while people are sleeping. Fire is quiet and fast. If you're asleep, you can't smell smoke. A photoelectric smoke alarm is the best way to wake a family from a deep sleep and give them time to escape a fire safely.

  The fire service will come to Carelink's client's houses, advise where to place smoke alarms, and provide assistance with installation and maintenance.

  Resource:

  • www.fire.org.nz - Smoke alarms installation

• Client's Rights

   

  Your rights when using Carelink's services

  You have the right to see all information relating to your needs' assessment and support plan. Your privacy will always be respected.

  If you have any concerns regarding your Needs Assessment or Service Coordination, then you may ask for a review.

  Please express your concerns to your Assessor/ Coordinator in the first instance. If the concern is unable to be resolved, then please contact the Manager.

  If you are dissatisfied with our service, you may contact any of the following:

  • Click here for the Carelink - Complaints Process

  • Health and Disability Commissioner
  • Nationwide Health & Disability Advocacy Service

  PO Box 1791
  Auckland
  Free Phone: 0800 555 050
  Fax: 09 373-1061
  Email: advocacy@hdc.org.nz

  The National Free Phone for the Health & Disability Commissioner is 0800 112-233
  Website: www.hdc.org.nz

• Power of Attorney

   

  Everyone should have Enduring Power of Attorney.

  An enduring power of attorney is a document where you appoint who you would like to make decisions on your behalf when you are no longer able to.

  People think their family will take over if they are no longer able to manage their own affairs - or their Will would come into effect. Unfortunately this isn't true.

  That's why we recommend you appoint someone as your enduring power of attorney. That way you have the peace of mind knowing a person you trust will be making important decisions for you when you're not able to.

  The key thing with the law is the person who accepts the role as an enduring power of attorney has to show that they have taken an interest in that person in actively ensuring their welfare is taken care of.

  For more information please click here

  Or contact The Public Trust for more information on 0800 371-471.
  Cnr Mawhera Quay & Tainui St
  Greymouth
  Telephone: 0800 371 471

  Detailed information about how Enduring Power of Attorney can keep you protected can be found at the Office for Senior Citizens web page:
  http://www.osc.govt.nz/enduring-powers-of-attorney/index.html

  The Office for Senior Citizens mail address is:

  The Office for Senior Citizens
  Ministry of Social Development Campus
  PO Box 1556
  Wellington
  New Zealand

  Phone: 64 4 916 3758
  Fax: 64 4 916 3778.

  Email: osc@msd.govt.nz

• Complaints process

   

  How to get your complaint about Carelink resolved

  You have the right to contact the District Health Board or Health & Disability Commission at any time.

  A document clearly outlining the correct way of making a complaint can be downloaded by selecting the following link:

  • The Carelink Complaints Process

  You are most welcome to print and circulate this form.

• Contact us

   

  Our office hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm

  Carelink can be contacted at

  Greymouth Region

  Postal:
  Carelink — Greymouth
  PO Box 387
  100 Tainui Street
  Greymouth

  Telephone: 03 768-0481
  Fax: 03 768-9625
  Email:

  Buller & Reefton Region

  Postal:
  Carelink — Buller & Reefton Region
  Buller Hospital
  PO Box 248
  Cobden Street
  Westport

  Telephone: 03 788-9030 ext 8701
  Fax: 03 788-8221
  Email:

• Meet our Staff

   

  

  Belinda McArthur

  Administration Officer

  

  Dickie Dewes

  Needs Assessor

  

  Giselle Hamilton

  Needs Assessor

  

  Helen Rzepecky

  AT&R Nurse Specialist

  

  Jo-Anne Gilsenan

  Needs Assessor

  Alison Third

  Dementia Outreach Nurse

  Pam Milligan

  Needs Assessor

  Torfrida Wainwright

  Planning & Funding

Forms

Referrals

• Carelink Referral (Microsoft Word Format)
  [DOC, 73 KB]
• Carelink Referral (PDF Format)
  [PDF, 33 KB]

Complaints

• Complaint Form (Microsoft Word Format)
  [DOC, 53 KB]
• Complaint Form (PDF Format)
  [PDF, 158 KB]

Brochures

• Carelink Brochure
  [PDF, 1.18 MB]
• Carers Brochure - A Guide for Carers
  [PDF, 770 KB]
• Consumer Complaints Procedure
  [PDF, 226 KB]
• Eating Well - For Healthy Older People
  [PDF, 359 KB]
• Long Term Residential Care
  [PDF, 344 KB]
• Making a Will
  [PDF, 257 KB]
• Powers of Attorney
  [PDF, 238 KB]
• Vitamin D Project - A Proven Defence Against Falls - ACC
  [PDF, 670 KB]
• Preventing Osteoporosis - Looking After Your Bones
  [PDF, 1.18 MB]
• Stay On Your Feet And Stay Healthy - Vitamin D Info For Elderley - ACC
  [PDF, 680 KB]
• Standing Up to Falls - Your guide to Preventing Falls and Protecting Your Independence - ACC
  [PDF, 589 KB]

Links

• ElderNet - Your Information Service
• West Coast Primary Health Organisation
• Health Navigator New Zealand
• Public Trust New Zealand
• West Coast Improving Services for Elderly (WISE) Project
• Health Professionals Page