Support for older people in Canterbury

Local services providing care for older people in Canterbury. These include Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) agencies, Meals on Wheels and nursing.

Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) agencies

The Needs Assessment Service assesses the needs of people who struggle with daily activities because of age, a health condition or disability. The goal of the needs assessment is to help people maximise their independence.

Needs Assessment Service (internal link)

NASC agencies organise help to stay at home, support services for carers and entry into residential care.

Needs Assessment and Service Coordination — Canterbury

The agency contact for Canterbury is the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Older Persons Health Service.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Older Persons Health Service (external link)

The agency provides services across:

  • Christchurch
  • Akaroa
  • Darfield
  • Hanmer
  • Kaikoura
  • Leeston
  • Mt Somers
  • Rangiora
  • Ashburton
  • Methven
  • Rakaia.

Other services for older people

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is a support service that prepares and delivers a subsidised hot midday meal.

Meals on Wheels (internal link)

You usually need to be referred to the service by a healthcare provider.

The Citizens Advice Bureau has contact details for Meals on Wheels services in each region.

Meals on Wheels community directory — Citizens Advice Bureau (external link) 

District nursing

District nursing services are provided by Nurse Maude

Nurse Maude District Nursing — Canterbury (external link)

Shuttle services

The the only shuttle service run by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury is from the Deans Avenue car park to the Christchurch Hospital — the journey is 8 to 10 minutes.

Transport and parking — Christchurch Hospital (external link)

Hato Hone St John Health Shuttles

The St John Health Shuttle is a community service that transports people to and from medical and health-related appointments.

The service is run by volunteers. A donation is greatly appreciated to help cover costs.

Hato Hone St John Health Shuttles operate services:

  • within the Christchurch area for short trips to medical appointments
  • from Timaru to Christchurch (Aoraki Health Shuttle)
  • from Ashburton and Rakaia to Christchurch (Ashburton and Rakaia Health Shuttle)
  • from North Canterbury to Christchurch (North Canterbury Health Shuttle).

To make a booking  for Hato Hone St John Health Shuttles (bookings close at 3pm on the day before travel):

Hato Hone St John Health Shuttles to Christchurch — Health New Zealand Waitaha Canterbury (external link)

Waka Ora Health Shuttles — Hato Hone St John (external link)