NEW CHRISTCHURCH PARTNERSHIP

Miranda Smith Homecare is now working in conjunction with Acute Demand services in Christchurch to provide urgent last minute care for clients. This is a new service which started in June, exclusively for Christchurch with Pegasus Health. These services range from people being discharged from hospital who are requiring support at home, to urgent last minute care for clients who have suffered an injury/illness, identified by their GP as requiring assistance until something can be organised. The range of care extends from childcare while a mother is recovering from an illness, to personal and homecare services, to overnight sleepovers, giving peace of mind to the client and family. The support allows the client/patient to maintain independence as much as possible at home when family are not able to be there. One client who was waiting for an ACC referral to be processed requested Miranda Smith Homecare continue with the care, and was very pleased with the outcome. The client and her family approached her GP, and together they worked with ACC to get the care from Miranda Smith Homecare continued. The client said the carer was fitting in well with the family. “We could not have chosen a better person to provide such wonderful support. The carer is just lovely, respectful, caring and I could not be happier. This is such an amazing service. I never knew I could receive such excellent care.”

TESTING WINTER FOR WELLINGTON TEAM

Miranda Smith Homecare’s Wellington team and their clients are looking forward to a more settled few months following a winter that delivered two large earthquakes and one of the worst storms in the city’s history. While the quakes were frightening, the June storm had the worst effect on clients and carers. Some communities were left isolated, houses were damaged, and power and phone communications went down in many areas. In some cases carers were unable to make scheduled shift changes or return home due to blocked roads. Robust emergency procedures and health and safety plans were enacted and Miranda Smith Homecare was quick to make contact with all clients and check on their welfare. When communication problems arose, the job of phoning up clients was taken up by Miranda Smith Homecare’s Auckland staff. The team of carers also went the extra mile in awful conditions to make sure their clients were safe and sound. There was some very positive feedback from clients, who showed their appreciation to carers once the storm settled, and were pleased at the overall level of support shown by Miranda Smith Homecare.

AUCKLAND STAFF LOOKING FORWARD TO POSITIVE AGEING EVENT

Miranda Smith Homecare is looking forward to being part of the International Day of the Older Person event at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau on October 3. Miranda Smith Homecare staff will have a stall at the event and encourage anyone who might be considering using private home care for themselves or ageing family members to drop in and discuss options which can be tailor-made to suit a wide range of needs. International Day of the Older Person is an initiative organised by Age Concern Counties-Manukau, and it’s expected to attract over 3000 people. Age Concern says the day is about celebrating positive ageing on an inter-generational level. There will be free parking, free entry, and super gold card holders will be given a free Devonshire tea. There will be plenty of entertainment, information, food stalls and exhibitors to visit.