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Healthcare of New Zealand is changing the face of community-based support by offering an innovative new service that's designed to increase people's independence and quality of life.
Good to be Home is an exciting new programme that enables people aged over-65 years to maintain or regain their strength, stamina and mobility so that they can continue to live in their own homes and do the things they love.
The service, which begins with Healthcare's professional team supporting the individual to outline their goals, focuses on providing people with the holistic support they need to make their social, physical and emotional aims a reality.
Wellington support worker Marlene Minchin described the success of one of the people she supports, who had suffered a stroke.
"This person wanted to be able to write again. His occupational therapist and physiotherapist gave him exercises to help him hold and use a pen. Part of my support was to remind and encourage him to do the exercises. Now he can use a pen and write again, when he couldn’t before. It gave him a lot of confidence, and means that he can keep in touch with his family who live out of town."
Wellington Coordinator Jo MacDonald said that Good to be Home's collaborative, restorative approach had given many clients a new lease on life.
"In
the past we'd provide people with a task-orientated service, which
meant that our support workers would just do certain tasks, such as
showering or housework, for the client. Now we assist and encourage
people to do things for themselves and to become more independent.
"It's great hearing that someone's mobility has improved, or that they've regained a skill that allows them to enjoy life more. At the end of the day, Good to be Home is about giving people the best support possible."
