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Superannuation, Welfare and Care

Often Grey Power members are reluctant to deal with either WINZ or IRD personally. A third person from Grey Power can often obtain the information or support required.

Areas covered under this portfolio are:

• National Superannuation
• Under 65yrs of non qualifying spouse
• Your Entitlements
• Overseas Pensions
• Amounts you can earn (if your spouse is non qualifying)
• Elder welfare
• Asset testing for the elderly in care

Meeting Your Needs

I as everyone else am worried about cuts in Home Help and Home care to the elderly.

Nelson Grey Power hosted a public meeting with Winnie Laban and Sue Kedgley recently. They wished to know if anyone had had their care cut and why. They also wished to hear from anyone who had a relative in Rest Home Care.

They want to know: Are you and your family happy with the service received?

IS THE PERSON IN CARE HAPPY WITH SERVICE RECEIVED?

• Is your relative receiving the proper care?
• Have you any concerns about the care given?
• Are they in the right place for their condition? (eg. not in a Rest Home when they should be in a secure unit)

Please be careful when you are next being assessed for care, it is not a phone assessment. Do what one elderly woman did and say - "I'm sorry but I don't talk to strangers about my health over the phone."

Winnie Laban told the story of her mother. She came out of hospital to end her days at home. When told she was being reassessed for home care and help, she dressed very carefully, looked the picture of a very dignified lady and proceeded to tell the person interviewing her, she was very well thank you and could manage well. Winnies brother who was in on the interview nearly had a heart attack. Of course her care was cut. She did need a great deal of help as well as a family member living with her, to be able to manage.

So please do not be your own worst enemy. If you need help make your position clear.

We have forms at the Office from Winnie and Sue for you to write about your concerns. They are post-free. They are treated as confidential. They will be evaluated along with others received, to be put into a report for presentation to the Government.

PLEASE IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE BEEN TREATED UNFAIRLY OR HAVE ISSUES WITH REST HOME CARE PLEASE TAKE TIME TO FILL ONE OF THESE IN.

This is a huge issue. With our aging population and many more of us, it will take innovative ideas to deal with it.

IF YOU HAVE ANY GREAT IDEAS FILL OUT ONE OF THE FORMS WE HAVE IN THE OFFICE.

HOSPITAL DISCHARGE

Is

there anyone out there who has been sent home from hospital with no one to care for him or her at home? We have heard it quite often takes a day or so before you can get the help you need.

It is daunting to arrive home, especially after an operation to find you have to look after yourself.

Friday discharges we have heard, can be a huge problem.

PLEASE LET US KNOW. THE MORE WE KNOW ABOUT THIS, THE MORE WE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP.

On a cheerful note: I am off to Canada and Alaska for a month. I popped into the Sheepskin Shop in town and received a great deal of help from the young man there. Received a discount as well. He informs me they are moving two doors along Bridge Street to a nice new shop.

Take care over the winter and try to keep warm and well.

Pam Schouten
Superannuation and Welfare, July 2010