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Assessment Requirements | Assessment Process | FACS Providers for the Elderly | What Does Stage and SNL Mean?

Health policy states that unless someone has been assessed as requiring residential care then the Government will not guarantee the granting of a subsidy when and if the time arises. An assessment is required to determine the person's needs and how those needs are best met. Before moving into a rest home most people will have already been assessed for their level of need. This assessment will let you know whether your needs are best met at home, in a rest home, in a specialised dementia care home, or in a continuing care hospital. Generally managers of residential facilities will not agree to admit someone prior to assessment. If they do admit private paying people they are required to inform them of the health authority's policy regarding this situation.

The assessment is broad based and encompasses not only the physical but social, emotional and spiritual health. The teams that provide the needs assessment are known as FACS (Facilitated Access to Coordinated Services), and will also provide free information about services. They also help with the latest information about funding assistance, arranging services, and follow-up to ensure the services are meeting your needs.

The assessment can be conducted at the person's home/elsewhere, or commonly in a health facility e.g. the hospital, whilst the person is an inpatient. The assessment process requires the assessor to consult with the person being assessed, and with that persons consent, their significant others. All options are explored (such as increasing support services at home) before a recommendation is given. The person will be given a copy of the assessment. The assessment document is known as a SNAF (Support Needs Assessment Form).

If residential care is required a further assessment is done to determine the level of that care and is known as a, Support Needs Level (SNL) in the North Island The level of care indicates the type of facility that is required to meet the person's need. Band or Stage refers to the level of care that the facility is able to provide. A matrix is used to determine how many people of each care need level/support need level is able to be safely cared for at each stage/band. The facility is given the appropriate number from the Health Authorities in their region. Royal Heights being a Stage 2 facility with an SNL up to level five. The following gives a broad indication of the way in which these categories relate to one another and what they mean for the person receiving the care. 

Stage 1 SNL1&2: Minimal care needed. The person usually receives care at home. 

Stage 2 SNL 3-5: More assistance needed e.g. personal hygiene, mobility etc. 

Stage 3 SNL 3-5: Secure care required e.g. for person who has dementia.

Hospital SNL 5: Full time care needed. 

Psycho-geriatric SNL 5: Full time care needed for person with psychiatric and severe.