External support services
Once you have been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, there is a range of support available to you, including your local Alzheimers organisation, social workers, counsellors, your GP and government support services. You may feel you do not need these services at present. It is still important however, to find out what is available for the future.
Services you may be able to access include:
- help around the home
- meals on wheels
- equipment to make life easier and safer for you at home
- attendance at a day programme
- respite care
In order to access support services, you will need to have a needs assessment. The needs assessment service can be contacted directly (details are available through your local hospital or on the Ministry of Health or Eldernet websites) or you can be referred by your local Alzheimers organisation.
Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) have a range of benefits which people with dementia and their carers may be eligible for, including:
Disability Allowance
A weekly payment for people who have regular, ongoing costs because of a disability, such as visits to the doctor or hospital, medicines, extra clothing or travel.
Special Disability Allowance
A weekly payment for people who have a spouse or partner who is in a hospital or rest home (for at least 13 weeks) or who is getting a Residential Care Subsidy.
Residential Care Subsidy
If you need long-term residential care in a hospital or rest home, you may be able to get a Residential Care Subsidy from the Ministry of Health.
Residential Support Subsidy
A payment which helps a person with a physical, intellectual, or psychiatric disability who needs residential care as a result.
Domestic Purposes Benefit - Care of Sick or Infirm
A weekly payment which helps people who are caring for someone at home who needs full-time care.
Home Help
A payment which helps carers with things like laundry, housework, cooking.
Invalid's Benefit
A weekly payment which helps people who are severely limited in how much work they can do.
Residential Care Loan
Many people going into residential care want to keep their home.
Temporary Additional Support
A weekly payment which helps someone who can’t meet their essential living costs from what they earn or from other sources.
Widow's Benefit
A weekly payment which helps women whose husbands or partners have died.
All benefits available from WINZ are available here: www.workandincome.govt.nz/individuals/