Support for older people in Otago and Southland

Local services providing care for older people in Otago and Southland. 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 — Otago and Southland

The agency contact for Otago and Southland is Care Coordination Centre.

Having a needs assessment — Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Southern (external link)

The agency provides services across:

  • Dunedin
  • Invercargill
  • Queenstown
  • Oamaru
  • Balclutha
  • Dunstan
  • Gore
  • Wanaka
  • Milford Sound and south.

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

To contact district nursing services:

Shuttle services

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 Shuttle operates a service:

  • door-to-door across the wider Dunedin area — freephone 0800 103 046 to book
  • between Dunedin and Invercargill — freephone 0800 103 046 to book
  • between Dunedin and Cromwell — freephone 0800 785 276 to book.

On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the Dunedin to Cromwell shuttle travels via Milton, and on Tuesday and Thursday it travels via Palmerston. There are designated drop off points along the way.

I need to travel for my hospital stay — Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora Southern (external link)

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