Elderly to keep home help a little longer

Letters to some elderly people telling them their housework assistance is being stopped will be sent out this week, the Otago District Health Board says.

After a rethink prompted by concern from service providers and the public, the Otago and Southland district health boards confirmed yesterday they will cut housework help, but more slowly.

Instead of two to three months, the cuts will take about six months to implement.

The boards are cutting assistance to elderly who receive only housework help, in a move they hope will save about $4 million a year.

Regional chief executive Brian Rousseau said the boards had listened to providers' concerns about the cuts, expressed last week at a meeting.

"We acknowledged the providers' concerns and we are going to a great deal of effort to ensure that this is a safe process and that those who really need the service continue to get it."

The longer timeframe also allowed service-providers time to absorb the changes to staffing levels, he said.

During the next four weeks, most elderly receiving an hour and a-half or less housework help would be told by letter the service would be discontinued.

"High-risk" elderly, identified by needs assessment staff, would continue to get help.

Mr Rousseau expected high-risk elderly could total up to 400 of just under 2000 people in the target group.

"We want to make sure that people who have a high risk because of conditions such as significantly impaired mobility, vision, memory loss, a history of falls, or other complex health needs receive the appropriate service."

Those unhappy at having their help cut could appeal.

Asked for details about the process, how the cuts would be staggered, and if phone interviews would be used for those receiving more than one and a-half hours' help, Mr Rousseau could not provide details last night.

Management would further clarify the situation today.

Home Support Services Otago chief executive John Wills was pleased the timeframe had been extended.

He accepted the boards had to save money.

The need for savings was emphasised at last week's meeting between providers and health boards managers, he said.

It was too soon to say if jobs would go, but it was likely some employees would work fewer hours.

Age Concern executive officer Susan Davidson was also relieved the timeframe was longer, which gave the elderly and providers more time to adapt.