Cost of prescribed and delivered health services resulting from a comprehensive geriatric assessment tool in New Zealand.

The objective of this study was to estimate the health service use and costs resulting from the introduction of the interRAI Minimum Data Set-Home Care (MDS-HC) assessment compared with usual assessment.A randomised controlled trial of elderly people in New Zealand measured the use and cost of prescribed and delivered (4 months post-assessment) health services of 153 participants assessed using the standard [Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination (NASC)] tool,and 158 participants assessed using the MDS-HC. The results suggest that the MDS-HC resulted in more prescribed personal health and community services, and less disability support services than with NASC.

The providers' profile of the disability support workforce in New Zealand.

To understand one of the predominant groups supporting people with disabilities and illness, this study examined the profile of New Zealand paid caregivers, including their training needs. Paid caregivers, also known as healthcare assistants, caregivers and home health aides, work across several long-term care settings, such as residential homes, continuing-care hospitals and also private homes. Their roles include assisting with personal care and household management.