10 July 2006
A new dementia audit workbook, sponsored by the Ministry of Health, will soon be available. It will help people to comply with the Home and community support sector Standard, NZS 8158:2003.
Dr Chris Perkins, Chair of the committee that developed the Workbook and a psychiatrist specialising in elderly care for the Bay of Plenty District Health Board, answers key questions about the Workbook:
Why has the Workbook been developed?
The workbook, entitled Best practice guidance for community services for people with dementia and proposed audit workbook, SNZ HB 8134.6:2006, was developed as a result of the 2002 report Dementia in New Zealand, which highlighted the need for consistent approaches to dementia care in NZ.
How will the Workbook benefit every-day people and consumers?
People with dementia who do not have family carers often rely on support services to be able to continue living at home. This document recognises the complex needs of people with dementia, and specialised skills that support workers need to optimise the quality of life of people with dementia. Consultation took place with Maori and Pacific groups while developing the Workbook, and issues identified during consultation are addressed throughout the document.
How do you use the Workbook?
The Workbook will be used by the community dementia care sector, including organisations and support workers in home-care and day programme settings. It promotes quality care in the community, defines accepted good practice for dementia care and aims to delay moves into residential care.
The Workbook can be applied voluntarily, alongside the Home and community support sector Standard audit workbook (SNZ HB 8158:2004). It includes guidance material and sector solution examples that specify community dementia service outcomes that are additional to those required by the Home and community support sector Standard and audit workbook.
Copies of the new Best practice guidance for community services for people with dementia and proposed audit workbook (SNZ HB 8134.6:2006) will soon be available for purchase from our website (www.standards.co.nz) or call 0800 782 632.