Services for older people — Wellington, Hutt and Kapiti

There are 3 parts to the service and health professionals work together to treat patients.

Health of older people

This service supports older adults at home, in outpatient clinics and in the inpatient ward.

Health of older people (internal link)

Rehabilitation

This service helps restore and relearn lost abilities.

Rehabilitation (internal link)

Allied health services

These services provide assessment across the region.

Allied health services include:

• audiology 
• equipment issuing and returns 
• nutrition and dietetics 
• occupational therapy 
• orthotics 
• physiotherapy 
• social work 
• speech-language therapy 
• clinical psychology.

Advancing wellness at home initiative

The advancing wellness at home initiative is a short-term service that provides rehabilitation and care support for older adults in their home post-hospital admission.

We work with people who have had:

• an acute illness
• an injury
• a stroke.

After discharge from the hospital, we visit you at home to identify your needs. Following this initial assessment, the team discusses the goals and time frames for support with you and your whānau.

We aim to re-enable you to be as independent as possible in your home and help you to engage in the activities that you were doing prior to hospital admission. This might include onwards referral to other community teams or services.

Who we are

Our team includes:

• nurses
• physiotherapists
• occupational therapists
• speech-language therapists
• social workers
• allied health assistants.

One person will be the key worker and visit you at home to determine your needs. The key worker might link you in with other team members as needed, and you will likely be seen by an allied health assistant as well.

How you can access our services

A member of our team works on the wards to identify people that will benefit from our services. The hospital team can also refer people.

Retirement living and rest homes

Sometimes older people and their whānau and carers need to make decisions about an older person staying at home.

Many people prefer to remain in their own home with community support but there are times when it is necessary to move to another level of support. There are many options.

These include:

• retirement villages
• day care options
• rest homes.

Speak with your whānau or healthcare provider if you are concerned.

If you are considering residential care you will be required to have a needs assessment. The assessment will determine your eligibility for funded aged residential care.

Needs assessment service (internal link)

Services for older people (internal link)

Seniorline (internal link)