A Care Plan will be developed after an interRAI assessment has been completed, usually by a health professional that works in a Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC) team. The plan will be discussed with you (and those closest to you, as long as you agree). If you are eligible for subsidised services you may be given a choice of service providers.
Once a Care Plan has been decided it will be drawn up showing the formal support you will get and any assistance from family/whānau, friends, the community and other agencies. It may include services such as: personal care, household/domestic assistance, equipment to make things easier for you and carer support. This may include goals you want to achieve (which these will differ for everyone). Just as an athlete sets targets to improve their speed or strength, breaking your goals down into achievable targets will help you measure improvement: for example, this may be aiming to walk a little further or longer each day. When you have agreed on the plan you will be asked to sign it.
Several criteria determine what you pay for and what is publicly funded/subsidised. These criteria include: your assessed need, whether the service is considered to be essential and your ability to pay (whether or not you have a Community Services Card is often a factor).
Just what ‘essential’ means has changed over time. Make sure you let your assessor know what an essential service is for you – it may not be funded but it will be noted. If you can afford it, you can pay privately for such services.
Updated: 21 Dec 2022