Stage 1.     I may help someone soon

You may have a growing concern that a friend or family member needs more of your assistance and time.  You're concerned because of the person's past and present medical condition(s), current living situation, or age.  Things are changing, and you are thinking about how the person's growing needs can best be met.

Stage 1    Keyword: Ask.
Talk to the person who is needing more support.  What are their wishes and concerns?  Ask questions of health care professionals.  Seek the advice of legal and financial specialists.  Talk to others in your family, whanau, or aiga.

Your Purpose During Stage 1
You expect to soon be providing more support and care.  This is your time to prepare!  Gather information, explore support options, and provide opportunities for your friend or family member to talk about their feelings, values, fears, needs etc.

Steps you can take during Stage 1

1. Talk to your family solicitor, Community Law Centre, or Public Trust.  Do you and the person you support have current Wills and Powers of Attorney?  If not, start the process to ensure that important legal paperwork is in order.

Resources

 2.  Be clear about how future health decisions will be funded.  Determine monthly income from pensions and superannuation, and other sources such as investment dividends, interest payments, government benefits etc.  Review Government funding and support options.

Resources

  • Visit our Help and advice section to find Government and other types of help for carers.  Download the Government's new Guide for Carers.
  • www.sorted.co.nz   Free advice and budgeting and calculator tools!

3. Investigate community health care options.
Understand how home based support works in New Zealand.  Contact community organisations to request brochures and pamphlets, or visit their websites.  You can learn about many kinds of help in your area by visiting the Support Near You section of our site.

Resources

  • www.nzhha.org.nz  Learn about home support at the site of the NZ Home Health Association
  • www.eldernet.co.nz, Day programmes, residential care, respite for short-term breaks:  link to providers of this help at Eldercare's site

4. Have detailed conversations with your friend or family member's medical professionals.
Seek their advice, and ask them to help you organise a needs assessment for the person you're supporting.  A needs assessment is the gateway to many types of publicly funded and community help in New Zealand.  Learn more about Needs Assessment in the Help and advice section of our site.  It's a good idea to also learn about medications and why the medications have been prescribed.

 

5. Concentrate on the reality of the situation.
Be realistic: what's the worst that could happen?  What's the best possible outcome?  Then, determine what options are available for each of these outcomes.

 

6.  Talk to the person you support about their wishes.  Asking questions now about care preferences will help you provide thoughtful support.  Although you may not be able to fulfill all of the person's wishes, you can begin to plan now at least meet the most important ones.

 

7. Start a journal to chronicle your feelings, concerns, and actions.  You may be surprised at your feelings of loss.  Your preparation for the future allows you to clearly assess what you and the person you support might lose during your caring journey.  You both will experience changes in your relationship, your schedules, your amount of freedom.  Write down your thoughts about these potential losses.  Think about how you might be able to preserve things as they are, through minor adjustments and changes.