International recognition for Canterbury's Home Instead Senior Care post-earthquake

Home Instead Senior Care’s (HISC) work in the homes of Cantabrians post-earthquakes has been recognised at an Annual Home Instead Senior Care World Conference in Omaha, Nebraska.
Peter and Lynda Gwynne, who own HISC in Christchurch, were presented with a banner signed by attendees at the annual conference. HISC is the largest provider of non-medical care in the world, with over 900 offices worldwide, including nine throughout New Zealand.

HISC offers a service that can mean the difference between having to move out of your own home and into a rest home, providing non-medical, home-based help, both privately and through ACC. Locally, Home Instead Senior Care has been operating in the Canterbury region for just under three years, and has cared for over 1000 clients.

“There are so many things that make the place you call home special. But it’s how you live your life that’s most special to us,” explains Lynda. “We provide one-on-one, non-medical assistance for the daily activities that aren’t as easy as they used to be.”

From just a few hours a day or week, to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Home Instead Senior Care’s Caregivers will help with all manner of chores and day-to-day tasks, such as meal preparations, laundry, local transportation, personal care, light housekeeping, medication reminders, dealing with mail, accompanying on outings, attending clubs, and a raft of other services.

“For many of our clients, this means they can stay in their own homes when the only alternative would have been to move into a rest home. Maintaining their independence is important, as is their continued wellbeing,” says Peter.

The role played by Caregivers from Home Instead Senior Care can also improve the joy and sense of excitement in the lives of seniors, with care givers happy to help clients entertain, attend plays or concerts, reminisce about the past, help with reading and many other facets of life that we often take for granted until they start to become more difficult to achieve.
Ensuring their Caregivers are all appropriate for the role is of key importance to Peter and Lynda, who go to great lengths to ensure their staff are both highly capable and suited to each individual care job.

“All our staff are police checked and must provide six referees for a start. We provide extensive training and run a robust quality assurance programme. A member of our office staff will introduce a carer to a new client and will follow up with the client to ensure compatibility and that they are pleased with the care and help they are being given,” explains Peter. Home Instead Senior Care also offers training on how to care for clients with Alzheimer’s.

Visit www.homeinstead.co.nz