MEDIA RELEASE
April 12, 2011
Government cutbacks see families turn to private in-home care

Cuts to government-funded in-home care for older people in the past couple of years have seen frustrated New Zealand families turn to private providers for help, according to New Zealand’s largest in-home senior care provider.
Neil Farnworth, chief executive of Home Instead Senior Care New Zealand, says hits on his company’s website have more than doubled in recent months and they are fielding hundreds of requests from families seeking help for their older relatives.

“We know that District Health Board budgets are restricted and they’ve had to make cutbacks. Families have told us, however, that the cuts have meant their relatives either have fewer than two hours of help or no help at all. They say this is inadequate and, in some cases, may be endangering older people.”
DHB-funded home help usually extends to basic cleaning and showering services. But it doesn’t provide for companionship, shopping, help with finances and medication, preparing meals, driving to appointments and other assistance around the home.

“That’s where we come in. We create a customised care plan that meets an older person’s wants or needs rather than strict assessment criteria. We match compatible caregivers to the individuals they care for. Families can pay for a top-up support or longer depending on their loved-one’s needs.”

Mr Farnworth says that most seniors (over 86 percent) prefer to stay in their own homes for as long as possible and with a little help and companionship can maintain their independence, quality of life and positive mental health.
“So many seniors are alone or lonely. That regular chat with a carer is just as important as doing the vacuuming or dusting.”

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