Dementia Canterbury’s ‘Walk for Dementia’ is being held on Sunday 9 March, 10.30am -12pm, at Ngā Puna Wai in Wigram. Join us to walk in memory or support of a loved one with dementia and help raise funds to support our work in the community.  Prizes for the best dressed team & spot prizes, walk for as little or as much as you want at this fun community event.  Enter by registering now at www.dementiacanterbury.org.nz or for more information contact Diane at diane@dementiacanterbury.org.nz

The inmuRELAX is a small 'pebble' shaped cushion that plays calming music and vibrates gently. A fabulous tool to calm agitation, to relax during the day, or to help with sleeping at night. The calming music becomes more complex with more movement, but will quieten and slowly fade when it is still. slight movement will 'wake' the inmuRELAX, making it an easily accessible tool for those with limited movement. See the inmuRELAX in action click the here.   Feel free to contact us on 0800 34 34 38 for further information or sales@sensorycorner.co.nz.

The Range: 

inmuRelax , inmuDance  ,inmuRhythm & inmuJoy each offer a different sensory sensation depending on what you are seeking.  

If you are interested in creating more open discussions around dying and death in your own communities, please contact us.  We welcome associate membership, and can guide you to set up your own 'Death Cafe', 'Dying Matters Week' event, or advance care planning workshop.

Choosing the Right Home Care Provider in New Zealand

A Guide for Adult Children

Choosing the right home care provider for your aging parents in New Zealand is a crucial decision. It directly impacts their well-being, safety, and overall quality of life. This guide will help you navigate the process and find a qualified and trustworthy provider that meets your family’s unique needs.

1. Define Care Needs:

• Assess your parent’s needs: Carefully assess your parent’s current needs. Do they require assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and toileting? Do they need help with meal preparation, light housekeeping, or medication reminders?
• Consider their cognitive and emotional needs: Do they require companionship, social interaction, or assistance with managing chronic conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease?
• Consider accessibility needs: Does your parent require assistance with mobility or require modifications to their home to improve safety and accessibility?

2. Research and Compare Providers:

• Start with local recommendations: Ask for recommendations from family, friends, doctors, social workers, and other trusted sources.
• Utilize online resources: Research home care agencies in your area using online directories, review platforms (such as Google Reviews), and the websites of local senior service organizations (such as eldernet.co.nz)
• Compare services and pricing: Contact several agencies to inquire about their services, pricing, and availability. Compare their service offerings, caregiver qualifications, and client satisfaction.

3. Check for Qualifications and Credentials:

• Verify registration with the Ministry of Health: Ensure that the home care agency is registered with the Ministry of Health in New Zealand.
• Inquire about caregiver qualifications: Ask about the agency’s caregiver screening and training processes. Do they conduct background checks or provide ongoing training and supervision?
• Look for accreditation and certifications: Consider agencies that are accredited by reputable organizations in New Zealand.

4. Prioritize Communication and Client Satisfaction:

• Inquire about communication protocols: How does the agency communicate with families and caregivers? Are they responsive to concerns and inquiries?
• Read client testimonials: Look for client testimonials and case studies on the agency’s website or through online reviews.
• Request a consultation: Schedule a consultation with the agency to discuss your parent’s specific needs and ask any questions you may have.

5. Consider Home Support North:

• Home Support North is a reputable home care provider with a strong commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate care.
• Experienced and compassionate caregivers: Home Support North employs experienced and compassionate caregivers who are carefully screened and trained to meet the diverse needs of seniors.
• Comprehensive range of services: They offer a wide range of services, including personal care, home help, companionship, and respite care, to meet the unique needs of each individual.
• Personalized care plans: Home Support North develops personalized care plans tailored to each client’s specific needs and preferences.
• Focus on maintaining independence: They are committed to helping seniors maintain their independence and dignity while living comfortably at home.

In conclusion, by carefully considering these factors and choosing a reputable provider, you can ensure that your parents receive the highest quality of care and maintain their well-being and independence in New Zealand.

Welcome to Companion Care Solutions,  where I provide comprehensive in-home assistance services beyond basic companionship and chores for the elderly or adult people of Havelock North and Hastings, Hawke's Bay

With a focus on enhancing quality of life for your adult or elderly relatives, I offer a range of engaging activities and household tasks to ensure they enjoy each moment. By establishing a routine of personalised care, I aim to create a sense of normality and support for your loved ones while providing peace of mind for you and your family. Serving individuals in Havelock North and Hastings, my tailored services are designed to meet your unique needs and preferences. Let's work together to ensure your loved ones receive the care and attention they deserve, wherever they may be

What is the difference between respite care, palliative care & hospice care?

There are many options for specialised care, as each resident requires individualised care planning. It can be challenging to establish which form of care is the right choice and when the next level of care may be required.

At Ambridge Rose, we offer a range of tailored care options to meet the unique needs of every resident. Our facilities provide a full continuum of healthcare services including respite care, palliative care and private hospital care. 

Warning signs of dementia and what to look for

For many, the holiday period is a time to connect, reflect and spend time with family, but it may also highlight warning signs of dementia where it may otherwise be unnoticed.

Being able to identify early warning signs in the early stages of dementia can help you determine when it may be appropriate to seek assistance.

At Ambridge Rose, we specialise in compassionate dementia care.

Respite Care: A break for caregivers

Caring for a loved one can be a full-time and often challenging role, that requires a lot of patience, understanding, and physical and emotional energy. At Ambridge Rose, we recognise that sometimes it’s important for caregivers to take a break to recharge their batteries and take care of themselves. That’s where respite care comes in.

The Miracle of Sight for a child.

Rita’s eyes are blinded by cloudy cataracts. She lives in rural Uganda with her parents who work as peasant farmers. Their daily struggle to provide food and make ends meet, mean there’s little left for medical expenses like sight-saving cataract surgery.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. For just $1 a day, you can make impossible dreams come true. Become a cbm child sponsor today. ❤️

cbm NZ works alongside people with disabilities in the world’s poorest places to fight poverty and exclusion and transform lives. Drawing on over 100 years’ experience and driven by its Christian values, cbm NZ works with the most marginalised in society to break the cycle of poverty and disability, treat and prevent conditions that lead to disability and build inclusive communities where everyone can enjoy their human rights and achieve their full potential.

Learn more… 

JMI Wealth and Louis Botes …

JMI Wealth understands the importance of partnering with someone who recognises their unique needs and aspirations. That's why, at JMI Wealth, every client benefits from the expertise of a dedicated advisor. Your JMI Wealth advisor is committed to providing absolute transparency in all portfolio discussions, delivering reports in clear and straightforward language. Rest assured, they are readily available to you via phone or email, ensuring a seamless and responsive collaboration.

You will also benefit from our seasoned team of investment professionals, with a wealth of experienced fund managers adept at navigating the intricacies of managing client asset. We bring a comprehensive suite of offerings to enhance your investment and retirement journey, from personalised portfolio advice to strategic guidance on asset allocation, security and manager selection, with timely market insights, commentary and regular investment reports and feedback.

Weather you have a KiwiSaver, a direct share portfolio, a combination of managed funds or even just term deposits, we are a one-stop and independent wealth manager. Please visit our website at www.jmiwealth.co.nz  for more information or watch the short video, https://www.jmiwealth.co.nz/about-us  introducing JMI Wealth.

You can also get in touch with Louis Botes on his mobile 021 472 471 or email louis.botes@jmiwealth.co.nz .

For more information on his background, qualifications and experience please visit his personal web browser where he posts relevant articles on retirement and investment planning ... www.louisbotes.co.nz

Meet Necia Parker,  Our Registered Legal Executive and JP at Richard Lewis Law.

She is also a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives and the current Vice President of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives.

• Estate planning: .This includes wills, family trusts, and enduring powers of attorney. 
   
• Advanced care planning: This includes pre-paid funerals and advanced directives.
   
• Residential property: This includes advice on buying and selling, unit titles, and body corporates. 
   
• Retirement villages: This includes advice on leasing property and village agreements.

When should someone with dementia go into a care home?

Wynn Williams acknowledged in 2025 Legal 500 Asia Pacific Rankings

For another consecutive year, Wynn Williams has been acknowledged in Legal 500 Asia Pacific Rankings.

Need to getaway?

Reconnect with Nature.

This is our most popular weekend “take-a-breath” stay.

The Reconnect with nature stay is a Solo or Couple Retreat 2-3 night package; where you'll be pampered throughout your stay with daily organised nature and wellness activities, breakfast and 3-course dinners included, and plenty of quiet time to nap or read books and wander the grounds.

Designed to give you and with your loved one, the space you need to celebrate, breathe, relax and reconnect, surrounded by inspiring nature.

If you are an older person just wanting the best getaway or a caregiver wanting an escape without going to far this is for you. Spots open for the January to March Season..

Check it out here: https://www.maruia.co.nz/reconnect-with-nature

This February , I’m taking on the Move Your Butt challenge to raise money to support vital patient services and research to reduce the impact of bowel cancer.

Need assistance to downsize, declutter or estate clear?

We are friendly and professional home organisers who provide downsizing, decluttering and estate clearance services in the greater Wellington area.  We're here to help people who don't have the time, strength or support to get these jobs done.  These jobs can be hard to start, so we offer a non-judgmental, personalised service to help you get them underway and completed.  That frees you up to do whatever you have to do next.

Call 021 227 3345 for a Free half hour consultation.

Find out more about our services at www.sortoutservice.co.nz

We move to the new Hawthorndale Care Village on May 5th however unfortunately, there will be no rental opportunities. There are Villas to purchase.

Check out 'The Hawthorndale Care Village' facebook page, or phone 03)2168099 ext 1 for more information.

We're nearly there!

We are now taking Residents and family members on visits to the new Hawthorndale Care Village and everyone is very excited about moving on May 5th.

Check out 'The Hawthorndale Care Village' facebook page, or phone 03)2168099 ext 1 for more information.

We're nearly there!

We are now taking Residents and family members on visits to the new Hawthorndale Care Village and everyone is very excited about moving on May 5th.

Check out 'The Hawthorndale Care Village' facebook page, or phone 03)2168099 ext 1 for more information.

 Discover Our Affordable Lease Program 

Experience the latest in low vision technology without the burden of a big upfront investment.

With our convenient lease program, you can easily access state-of-the-art devices like video magnifiers and CCTVs, tailored specifically for your needs.

Enjoy advanced features at an affordable price—starting as low as just $5.76 per week or $25 per month for a handheld electronic video magnifier!

Take control of your independence today and unlock a world of possibilities with our flexible leasing options.

Contact us now to get started!

Visit our website at  https://bit.ly/48Cnrpk or call 03 376 5071 for more details and to check out our current inventory.

 Breakfast in bed or full sit-down service from 8am.  

What's Happening ...

• APO Daytime Concert, Auckland Townhall- Wednesday 12 February at 11AM.
• Valentine’s Day Special with Graham- Friday 14 February at 2:30PM in the Atrium

What's Happening ...

• APO Daytime Concert, Auckland Townhall- Wednesday 12 February at 11AM.
• Valentine’s Day Special with Graham- Friday 14 February at 2:30PM in the Atrium

What's Happening ...

• APO Daytime Concert, Auckland Townhall- Wednesday 12 February at 11AM.
• Valentine’s Day Special with Graham- Friday 14 February at 2:30PM in the Atrium

What's Happening ...

• APO Daytime Concert, Auckland Townhall- Wednesday 12 February at 11AM.
• Valentine’s Day Special with Graham- Friday 14 February at 2:30PM in the Atrium

EXCITING NEWS - TaskMasters now in NEW locations around New Zealand

TaskMasters is excited to let you know we are expanding our services to new locations serving even more people in New Zealand.  We now have local teams established in Tauranga and Hamilton serving the greater Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions including Cambridge and Matamata.  Our team is super keen to help our client's and is happy to travel if required.  Two of our team even has a camper van to make the travelling option even easier!

Meet our Tauranga team giving their best Rosie the Riveter pose!

Get in touch today for a FREE, no obligation, initial chat to discuss how TaskMasters can assist you!

Contact: Jane on 027 562 7006

TaskMasters - your premium professional organisers who care about you. 

In August 2024 we celebrated our staff who have been working at Ali's, providing exceptional care and support to our clients. We celebrated with an afternoon tea for our 36 long-term employees. We enjoyed a relaxed afternoon chatting with colleagues, our Founders, and Kelly our current owner. Followed by presentations for staff who have served 5, 10 and 15 years with us. Thank you all have been so dedicated.

More recently we have implemented a new staff benefit where every staff goes into a draw to win petrol vouchers for time worked on a particular day, just one more way to show your carers how valued they are.

At Ali's, we CARE.  We not only pride ourselves on looking after our clients but also our staff and this year we introduced Ali's CARE Penapena Friendly Society.  This is like a Christmas savings club for the staff.  It means they will have support from the society for emergencies and enable them to save through the year.

Penapena is a Māori word meaning, to cherish, look after, save up, and store.  I believe this means we will be able to support ourselves and our whanau better in the coming years with the potential recession going to affect us all in different ways.

This is just some of the ways Ali's makes a difference.

Respite and long term care available now.

Palmerston North City December 2024

"Owner-occupiers and first-home buyers were the most active buyer groups. Investors are still largely
absent from the market. Local salespeople report that the local market has become more balanced, with
more first-home buyers viewing properties. Decreasing interest rates have influenced market sentiment
and the predicted market outlook. If the OCR and interest rates continue to fall, this could stimulate the
market further.

Source - Jen Baird REINZ CEO

Over the counter (OTC) Aids

OTC hearing aids are devices that can be bought online or without having a diagnostic hearing test performed. They are designed for adults and for mild to moderate hearing loss.  OTC hearing aids are typically cheaper than conventional hearing aids as they do not have much processing capacity or higher-level technology to help you hear in complex listening environments. 

If you purchase a pair of OTC, they are typically programmed by yourself via an app.  You are still able to go to an Audiologist and have the hearing aids verified and ensure that they are working correctly for your hearing loss. 

Audiologists have many tools available to ensure that you are purchasing something that is right for you and your needs.

With a St John Medical Alarm help is never far away. St John Medical Alarms support independence and confidence, offer families peace of mind, and are the only medical alarms that connect directly to Hato Hone St John. Whether at home or out and about, they provide around the clock access to expert care.

Get in touch with a friendly Hato Hone St John representative to answer any questions you may have:
Phone: 0800 50 23 23
Email: telecare@stjohn.org.nz
Website: https://www.stjohn.org.nz/medical-alarms/

Total Mobility Card and ACC.

Ask us about the Total Mobility card if you don't have one, this provides a 75% Discount, which is so worthwhile.  Plus all the usual care and attention from the FAB team.

ACC 

If you've had an injury and require transport through ACC, let us know we would love to assist. 

Hapai Access Card.

FAB Drivers are proud to be a part of the Hapai Access card scheme. 

$30 off your Enduring Power of Attorney with a Gold Card at Public Trust.

Are you an older person considering moving house in Christchurch. If its to downsize, move to a retirement village or even into a care home Michelle is here to help. Here's a bit about one of her recent adventures..

I had the privilege of meeting Raye & Peter at one of my open homes. We clicked straight away and they told me their story of wanting to downsize and move into a house that will allow them the freedom to do what they want without feeling guilty about it.

After working together and going through a series of 'processes' as a team, I can proudly say Raye & Peter are moving into their new home once they've come back from a well deserved holiday, in November.

I can't put into word the warm feeling it gives me, to be a part of their journey. I hope you'll let me be a part of yours one day too.

Yours faithfully,
Michelle Gledhill

Licensed Salesperson | Raine&Horne Real Estate Ltd Licensed REA (2008)

The Value of a Funeral and Pre-planning

Throughout our lives we mark milestones.  We celebrate birthdays, graduations, weddings and anniversaries.  A funeral is a chance to mark a major milestone in the life of a family.

Everyone has a story to tell, and even those who appear, on the surface, to have lived an ‘ordinary 'life, have things that make them unique.

Ferdi Bosch, General Manager of Seddon Park Funeral Home says his team is very aware of the need to mark the milestone of death.

“Some people tell us they don’t want a funeral because they don’t want to put their family through the stress of having to organise things at a difficult time.  But funerals are not just for the person who has passed away, they are very much for the living,” says Ferdi.

Funerals serve a greater purpose than simply saying goodbye.  They are often the spark that brings family members together.  They help to smooth conflict and reaffirm the importance of family connections in day-to-day life.  Funerals provide healing and are a good start on the journey of grief.  They provide an opportunity to express feelings without having to hide away.

Ferdi says funeral’s don’t have to be grand events.  They can be very simple.  He sees them as a chance for friends to show their support, and many families welcome hearing stories about things they might not have known about their loved ones.

“One of the best things about funerals now is that they can be done to suit the needs of the families who want to hold services in a garden, sport clubs or even in the back yard”

“Some people think that not having a funeral will shield them away from the pain of grief, but we find it actually makes it harder,” says Ferdi

“More people are choosing to write down their wishes, and this is very important.  It means they can choose their own music, venue for the service, and even things like flowers they want”

He says this takes the pressure off a family at a very difficult time because they have fewer decisions to make, and they know they’re following the wishes of their loved one.

Without doubt funerals are emotionally difficult, but they can also be a wonderful time for sharing great memories.  They can be a celebration of a good life, and a celebration of family ties.

“We encourage people to think carefully before saying they don’t want a funeral.  Today’s funerals are not the sombre affairs of days gone by, and that’s a very good thing.”

Request our free pre plan funeral booklet “a time such as this”.  This will give you the chance to put down your funeral wishes.  email us at info@seddonpark.co.nz or call us on 07 846 1561