Working alongside whānau
Everyone working in health supports whānau wellbeing and ensures that whānau, including children, have access to information, education, and support options.
Expected outcome
Whānau receive support to achieve their health and wellbeing goals, as determined by them.
It is expected those using More Skills will also use and demonstrate proficiency at the essential and enhanced levels of Keeping it Real I Kia Pono te Tika.
Whānau engagement | Recognises the importance of whānau to the older person, and the older person’s role within whānau. Recognises diverse forms of whānau (including neighbours, friends, or pets) and is guided by the older person. Recognises potential complexities within whānau relationships that may influence support, such as rainbow older people with non-accepting whānau. Understands that, beyond the older person themselves, whānau often have deep knowledge of the older person’s preferences, values, needs, and support they may require. Supports older people to re-establish or strengthen whānau connections where appropriate. |
Self-determination and kotahitanga | Values chosen whānau as experts in the older person's care, ensuring they are listened to and treated with respect. When appropriate, and with the older person's consent, ensures whānau are included in discussions, consulted for advice, and actively involved in wellbeing and advanced care planning. Ensures whānau have the information they need to effectively support their whānau member. For example, information about cognitive decline and dementia, caregiver burnout, elder abuse, the brain-body connection, grief, substance use, and medication management. Recognises the impact of aging on whānau dynamics, particularly the challenges faced by a partner (who may also be older) and/or adult children who take on caregiving roles. Recognises signs of overwhelm and burnout within whānau and their need for support to ensure best outcomes for older people. Aligns support plans with the needs and capacity of whānau members. Provides or connects whānau with appropriate services to ensure their wellbeing when supporting whānau members. For example, cultural, faith based, and community services. |
Supporting parents and their children | Recognises older people may have dependent whānau members such as partners, adult children, grandchildren or pets. Understands that supporting older people may require facilitating support for dependent whānau. |
Trauma-informed approach | Recognises specific grief, such as grief related to dementia, degenerative conditions and suicide. Understands that everyone grieves in their own way, in their own time, and the potential for complex grief experienced by whānau. This includes grief experienced before and after the death of an older person, and changes in family roles and dynamics. Supports whānau in accessing appropriate grief support and resources. Acknowledges the limited availability of grief support for whānau of older people, and advocates for the development of appropriate grief support and resources. |
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