Search Results for "mental health foundation"

For many New Zealanders, there is a significant cost barrier to accessing the internet. It is estimated that approximately 130,320 homes across New Zealand don’t have an internet connection. Skinny Jump: Skinny Jump is an initiative by the Spark Foundation that provides subsidised broadband services to eligible New Zealanders who...

While there are many factors that help us stay independent one of the biggest is having meaningful relationships. These relationships include people, pets and places. Meaningful relationships keep us in a good mental space so that we can do all the other things that help us maintain our independence. Since...

There is a lot to think about (and sometimes not much time) to decide which care home is right for you. Use this list to spark ideas and questions. ROOMS Residents’ rooms should be clean, comfortable and have enough floor space. Consider how practical a full ensuite might be. It...

Socialising improves our mood, our mental health, and indirectly our physical health. On those counts alone it’s worth it. Perhaps you’ve lost a partner, or friend who used to accompany you or who you used to meet up with. Just getting out gives you yet unknown opportunities that you wouldn’t...

What is elder abuse? I'm worried about what's going on at my friend's place. What can be done? We know it’s hard to ask for help, regardless of whether you’re the person being treated in this way, the person behaving in this way or someone who is concerned about a...

interRAI is a well-tested and researched assessment tool used in Aotearoa New Zealand and many other countries around the world. There are a range of assessments designed to suit various populations groups e.g. children, youth, adults etc. Individual assessments are conducted around Aotearoa New Zealand. These provide health professionals and...

Our eyes and ears can be indicators of our health and may be more implicated in wider health issues that was previously thought. Hearing Good hearing has a far greater impact on our health than has previously been understood. Research suggests a link between hearing loss and mental decline and...

A car that runs well, is looked after. So too with us; how we function depends on the maintenance of the vehicle that carries us along. While our genetic makeup and our past lifestyle plays a part, there is a lot that can be done to not only maintain our...

As we age, it can be easy to become isolated and withdraw from social connections. However, research has shown that staying social and maintaining strong connections with family, friends, and the community is key to living well as we get older. Studies have shown that social isolation and loneliness are...

As we age, our bodies undergo various changes that can affect our nutritional needs. One key nutrient that older adults need more of is protein. In New Zealand, many older adults may not be getting enough protein in their diets, which can lead to a variety of health problems. Protein...

When people in the older persons’ health sector are talking about an assessment, they’re generally talking about the interRAI assessment , otherwise know as a needs assessment. (Other assessments include ACC, mental health, equipment and housing modification assessments.) The interRAI assessment is the standard assessment ‘tool’ (a computer-based programme) used...

Maintaining your mental fitness is as important as staying physically fit, and often the two go hand in hand. Factors such as having regular physical exercise; staying well; seeing your doctor when you are unwell and having a good diet all contribute to good mental health. We can also exercise...

Enduring Powers of Attorney (known as an EPA or EPOA) are legal documents that allow you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions for you if you are no longer able to do so yourself. Some people set an EPA up when they buy their first home or start...

Research has debunked the common misconception that as we age, our brains lose the ability to learn and retain new information; in fact, older adults can continue to learn and develop new skills throughout their lives. A study conducted by the University of California found that the brains of older...

No, it’s not a normal part of ageing but it’s a common experience of ageing. Let us explain some more. Western tradition has tended to see our physical health as being separate to anything else in our lives. Increasingly though, we are all becoming aware that our physical, mental, emotional,...

If someone has talked to you and you or they are concerned about their emotional or mental wellbeing, take the situation seriously and advise the person to seek professional assistance. Offer to take them or accompany them to their first appointment. Most older people will talk to a doctor about...

The internet can tap into our fears about developing dementia mate wareware (mate wareware is the term Maori are familiar with) but there is better news out there these days. In some parts of the world there has even been a decline in the rate of the condition. While there’s...

10KM RULE: This rule deals with the situation where an intending resident’s first choice of care home only has a room available that attracts extra fees and the person doesn’t want to, or cannot afford to, pay those fees. ACC: Accident Compensation Corporation. ADVANCED CARE PLAN & ADVANCED DIRECTIVES :...