On 1 August 2014 we recommenced an important conversation through a public meeting in Westport about Buller Older People’s Health. At that meeting we promised to provide a number of ways for interested people to take part in this conversation. This survey is one of the ways in which you can contribute to the conversation and help us plan ahead for future services and support for older people.

The West Coast health system faces a number of challenges as we plan ahead for the future provision of older persons’ health care in Buller. Our resources are not unlimited; some of our buildings are in need of major improvements, and having sufficient work force in all areas can be difficult to sustain. We need to arrange the health system to use the available resources in a manner that meets the health needs of the older people in our community.

Why have this conversation now?

Older people experience more illness and disability than other population groups. As our population ages an increasing demand in health services is expected, from a predicted growth in populations for our elderly population. At 16.7% Buller already has the highest proportion of people aged over 65 years on the Coast and this proportion is expected to grow over the next 15-20 years.

We have already been making improvements to ensure that community support for the 93% of older people who are living at home is there when they need them and are of a good quality.

The Buller has two aged residential care providers for the approximate 7% of older people who live in residential care. Some DHB facilities are in disrepair and we have to plan ahead for how best to invest health resources and ensure the services are there for those who need them in future.

Funding for the Buller Integrated Family Health Centre has been approved and building will commence in a few months time. This will improve the quality of facilities for those needing acute care but not residential care, and we need to take this opportunity to work together to identify our future vision and plan how to make that vision a reality.

Services now

The current community and aged residential care services include but are not limited to:

• General Practice
• Community assessment
• Home based support services
• District Nursing
• Respite care
• Aged Residential Care

Services in future

We would appreciate you answering the following survey to help us plan for the future of older persons’ health care in Buller.

Please note:

The survey is anonymous.

The information provided will help inform the West Coast DHB’s decisions concerning Buller Older Persons Health services and key supports, such as relationships with local government and other social services and government and non-government agencies such as the Ministry of Social Development and ACC.

A summary of the information will be published in the local papers and on the West Coast DHB website once this survey has been completed.

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* 1. The Older Persons Health services include Complex Clinical Care Network (CCCN who do assessments), Home Based Support, District Nursing, General Practice, a range of DHB hospital and community and Aged Residential Care services.

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* 2. Who are the key partners that your DHB should work with to ensure the Buller community supports older people effectively?

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* 3. Most older people (about 93% in Buller) live at home. What are the three most important things the DHB can do to support older people who are living at home and need health services and support?

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* 4. About 7% of older Buller people live in aged residential care. What works well about the services now? What could work better?

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* 5. Are there any different models of community care you think we should know about and consider for Buller Older People? If so what are they?

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* 6. Are there any different models of residential care we should know about and consider for Buller older people? If so what are they?

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* 7. What older person’s health services will you want one day?

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* 8. Please tell us about yourself. This will help us interpret the results of the questionaire

What is your interest in Older Persons Health? (tick one or more)

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* 9. Do you live in the Buller District?

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* 10. Which ethnic group do you belong to? (tick one or more)

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* 11. What is your age? (tick one)

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* 12. What is your gender?

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* 13. Which of the following best describes you? (tick one)

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* 14. In general, how would you rate your overall health?

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