FOCUS: Wairarapa support services
FOCUS is the Needs Assessment Service Coordination agency for the Wairarapa region.
What FOCUS does
FOCUS arranges support services for people with long-term disabilities to help them be as independent as possible. They provide a single point of entry for support services. This includes residential care, palliative care support, and the Health Recovery Programme.
What a disability is
A disability is an impairment that makes routine tasks more difficult or impossible. Impairments can be:
- physical
- intellectual
- sensory
- neurological
- age-related
- psychiatric.
They can result from various causes. A long-term impairment lasts longer than 6 months and can be lifelong.
How to get help from FOCUS
Anyone can refer to FOCUS with the consent of the person being referred.
You do not have to go through your GP practice or your healthcare provider. But this is recommended as they know your impairments and medical history.
To be eligible, you need to be a New Zealand citizen or have New Zealand residence.
Contact FOCUS
Contact FOCUS if you need help with making a referral.
- Address: Level 2, 49-51 Lincoln Road, Masterton
- Phone: 0800 900 001 or 06 946 9813
- Email: focus@wairarapa.dhb.org.nz
Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
FOCUS will review the information and decide on the appropriate service or outcome. They will contact you or your referrer to advise of the outcome.
About the assessment process
A needs assessment looks at what you can do, your goals and what you have difficulty with, for instance:
- mobility
- memory
- self-care
- safety around your home.
If a needs assessment is required, FOCUS will contact you to make an appointment. The assessment can be completed in your home or another place of your choosing. You can have a support person with you during your assessment.
After the assessment
FOCUS will help you find ways to be more independent. They might provide funding for activities and tasks that you cannot do on your own or you do not have help with.
If you have a carer, their needs will also be considered.
The goal is to help you stay as independent as possible and continue living in your own home.