Caring for the carers

Two new national services to support family carers have been launched by the Ministry of Health for delivery by not-for-profits SAMS (Standards and Monitoring Services), Parent to Parent, and Carers New Zealand.

The services, developed by carers for carers, will assist people who support people and their family/whanau with disabilities nationwide.

Care Matters is the new learning and wellbeing resource service delivered by SAMS and Parent to Parent. From November 6, 2015, people are able to use this service by visiting its new website carematters.org.nz or call free on 0508 236
236. This new, exciting service provides carers of disabled people with clear, constructive and accessible information resources to support them in their caring responsibilities. Eligible people are also able to access these resources through learning and training relevant to local interests and needs.

The freephone will also direct carers to sources of relief care at Carers NZ’s new National Relief Care Matching Service. This service enables disabled people and family carers to identify and select relief carers in their area. They could choose to access this service through the website or through its 0800 777 797 number.

Carers NZ has partnered with MyCare Ltd to provide free access to eligible disabled people and a national pool of relief carers.

Eligibility for the carer matching service and the face-to-face learning component of the carer learning and wellbeing resource service will be determined by the Ministry-funded Needs Assessment and Service Coordination services (NASCs).

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