Navigating Other Support Services

Private home care providers

Most home care agencies offer housework and personal care, some also offer nursing and short-term relief care. For costs please contact the agencies in Nelson Tasman to establish local rates. They are:

Nurse Maude
4 Kidson Place, Stoke, Nelson 7011 (view map)
Tel: 03 375 4200 | 0800 687 739
Email: nelson.marlborough@nursemaude.org.nz

Access Community Health Nelson
Robinson Complex, 669 Main Road, Stoke (view map)
Tel: 0800 284 663

Healthcare NZ
Suite 3, Level 1/355 Lower Queen Street, Richmond (view map)
Tel: 03 548 2009

Driving assessment

Drivers are required to renew their licence first at the age of 75 and then at 80. From 80 it’s every two years. A medical certificate is required at the time of renewal and if recommended by a doctor, there is also a 30-minute On-road Safety Test.

Discount taxi vouchers

The Total Mobility Scheme reduces the cost of taxi travel for people no longer able to drive. In Nelson Tasman, Age Concern can carry out assessments for anyone over 65 for this scheme. Those eligible hold an identity card.

❯ Contact us on 03 544 7624 for more information.

Parking permits for disabled

Mobility parking permits enable people with disabilities to park in reserved spaces close to their destination, or park longer than the stated time in some standard car parks and metered spaces.

❯ The scheme is run by CCS Disability Action, 65 Trafalgar Street, Nelson. You can contact them for more information by phone on 03 548 4479 or 0800 227 2255. Email: nelson.admin@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz

St John Ambulance supporter scheme

This annual subscription covers emergency ambulance call-out charges anywhere in New Zealand. It does not cover transport on discharge from hospital, transfer from one hospital to another, or transport to clinic appointments.

❯ Find out more at stjohn.org.nz, email info@stjohn.org.nz or call 0800 STJOHN (0800 785646)

Shuttle services

Nelson
The St John Health Shuttle is a free community service that transports people to essential medical and health-related appointments, and then brings them home again. There’s no charge for shuttle transport, however a donation is appreciated to cover costs. To book a journey, call toll free on 0800 333 781.

Motueka
The Motueka Regional Ambulance Community Trust serves this region. Phone (03) 528 7645 or 0800 111 025.

Golden Bay
There is no shuttle service in Golden Bay and the district is not covered by a public bus service. The ‘Wrinklies Express’ is a member-only service providing transport to medical appointments for people over 50, and disabled persons. Users pay an annual subscription and are asked to make a donation for each trip.

Make your home safer

Firstport provides information, advice, support and equipment available to help with everyday life. There are also links to disability support services that can provide specialist knowledge, advice and resources.

Personal medical alarms

A wide range of personal alarms are available. They can be professionally monitored or be linked to family members. They can be worn or located in the house and can provide other useful functions such as medication reminders. There are many providers of these alarms.

❯ Medical alarms » Work and Income is a list of all MSD-approved alarm companies, and they may be able to assist financially with the cost of installing one.

Tracking systems

Personal tracking systems are available for people with dementia who wander. The tracking watch or pendant emits a pulse using a specific frequency which can be detected by Police and or Search and Rescue. The tracking system may not be appropriate for all people with dementia.

❯ Contact Alzheimers Nelson for more information, on 03 546 7702.

Home delivered frozen meals

There are a number of companies that provide home delivered chilled or frozen meals. We recommend you do a web search for 'frozen meals delivered' for more information, or ask a family member or friend to look into it for you. Many restaurants and takeaways will deliver to your home.

❯ Check the Yellow pages under 'takeaway foods' or 'restaurants' for more home delivery options.

Heating and insulation

If you are living in your own home and meet certain eligibility criteria you may be able to get some financial support towards the cost of home insulation through the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme. This Government-sponsored programme offers grants towards the cost of home insulation or heating installation. The available grants increased from May 14 2020 and they now cover 90% of the cost.

In Nelson Tasman, funding for ceiling and underfloor insulation is accessed through Warmer Healthy Homes Nelson Marlborough.

Eligibility criteria:

• you live in your own home

• your home was built before 2008

• you have a current Community Services Card (CSC) or a Gold Card (endorsed CSC)

or:

• you live in a designated grant area.

❯ People who fit the above criteria can ask for a free no-obligation quote from Absolute Energy. Phone 0800 423 454.

Heating appliances grant

Eligibility criteria:

• you live in your own home

• your home was built before 2008

• you have a current Community Services Card (CSC) or a Gold Card (endorsed CSC)

or:

• you live in a designated grant area.

  and:

• you do not have an existing fixed heater in the main living area, eg: a heat pump, wood or pellet burner, flued gas heater or central heating system

• you already have ceiling and underfloor insulation installed to EECA standards.

❯ Grants are available for up to $3000 including GST.

❯ For more information on heating or to apply for a heating grant, visit EECA website or phone 0800 749 782.

Public housing

If you can't afford a private rental, you may be able to live in a public house where the Government pays part of the rent. These are houses that are owned by  Kāinga Ora (which used to be Housing New Zealand) and other Community Housing Providers, and rented out to eligible tenants.

You need to meet certain criteria to qualify for public housing and you need to apply through Work and Income. If you apply, you may have to wait for a while until a suitable property becomes available. If you get NZ Super or a Veteran's Pension, call Senior Services on 0800 552 002.

Public housing providers in Nelson Tasman are:
Kāinga Ora (formerly Housing New Zealand) manage social housing in Nelson City. Their office is at Level 1, 105 Trafalgar Street, Nelson, or call 0800 801 601.

Nelson Tasman Housing Trust builds affordable healthy homes across the region. They can be contacted on 03 546 9568 or 0800 266 325.

Tasman District Council owns and manages rental properties for older residents, known locally as the ‘pensioner cottages’. You will need to contact them to go on the waiting list. Call them on 03 543 8400 or visit their website for more information.

Assisted living accommodation

This type of accommodation provides some services to support you to live independently in the community. An example is a shared housing situation with meals provided, such as Abbeyfield. In Nelson Tasman there are four Abbeyfield homes: in Tahunanui, Stoke, Motueka and Golden Bay. Each one is managed by its own committee, and you need to contact them to discuss availability and viewing.

❯ Full information is here: Find a house - Abbeyfield New Zealand.

Residential care in rest homes

If you decide on short-term respite care in a rest home, you will find it difficult to book in advance. If you wait until closer to the time, there are usually a number of homes with vacancies you can choose from.

It’s worth noting that there is now a large gap between the Carer Support rate you will receive and the actual cost of residential care – the shortfall can be over $500 per week.