Extra support – short-term

How home-based care can help you manage the unexpected or just plain inconvenient.

When you’re laid up because of an accident, or you or a loved one are going in for an operation that’ll see you recovering for several weeks, there’s only one thing for it. You’re going to need a hand.

• Food. If you know in advance that you or your loved one will be out of action, you’ll thank yourself later for the food preparation you do now. Make extra when cooking so you have leftover portions to freeze. Sign up for a meal delivery service such as Eat or ask your doctor if you’re eligible for free Meals on Wheels.
  
  If the main problem will be grocery shopping, call on family or friends to help, create a roster for grocery or meal delivery; take advantage of your local supermarket’s online shopping and delivery option; or arrange to receive ingredients and recipes from a service such as WOOP, My Food Bag or HelloFresh.   You could also post an ad on Mycare to find a care worker in your community to hire to cook for you at your place or theirs. If you’re injured and it’s covered by ACC, you may be eligible for financial assistance to cover the cost. 
  
  
• Personal care. Even if it’s not essential, home-based help can be a godsend while you’re getting back on your feet. If you’re injured, ACC may cover you for activities such as keeping the house clean, showering and dressing. Mycare puts the ball in your court, enabling you to choose who you hire to help you and find someone you really click with – something that becomes even more important when you may be in pain and feeling vulnerable.
  
  
• Transport. If you’re not taking time off work, can you work from home for a while, or will you need assistance to get to and from your workplace? Hiring a Mycare worker to be your driver short-term may be cheaper than a taxi or Uber, or ACC may help with your transport costs.  Driving Miss Daisy allows you to pre-book drivers to get you from A to B and is also ACC registered.
  
  
• Childcare. Don’t be afraid to ask for the support of your family and friends to keep the kids’ schedules on track – remember, most people want to help those they love, and it’s often not much of an imposition for a short period of time. If you’re injured and need help getting your children to and from school, ACC may be able to help; they can also help with childcare at an accredited facility or in your home. Mycare also offers safe in home care of all shapes and forms, from qualified or retired teachers to parents and students seeking part-time work. It’s free to create a job listing and start searching the available care workers in your community.

To find out more about how Mycare can help, contact the Customer Engagement Team on 09 887 9777 or email hello@mycare.co.nz.