Community strength and balance (referral)

All practices in the Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti region can refer to this service. 

People aged over 75 years (Pakeha) or 65 years (Maori or Pacific Islander) who have answered yes to one or more of the following.

• Have you fallen in the last year? 
• Are you scared of falling? 
• Have you stopped doing an activity because you might fall? 
• Do you need to use two hands to rise from a chair? 

• People in rest home or hospital care.
• People living dependently in an aged care facility. 
• People with severe cognitive impairment. 

This is not a claimable service; this is a service that you can refer patients to as follows.

If the patient responds yes to any one of the four assessment questions above refer to local (community or in-home) strength and balance services via BPAC eReferral as appropriate.

The strength and balance service will determine who will benefit most from the in-home programme or community group classes. The referrer can indicate their appropriate service recommendation along with the clinical indicators supporting this. 

If more specific falls prevention exercise and activity advice is required, you can refer to the Green Prescription team who can then provide advice on the appropriate exercise option for your patient. 

A minimal cost (between $2-$5) may be charged to attend the weekly classes which will be discussed with the person when contacted by the service. 

This service is funded by ACC.