An aerial shot of Wairoa. Photo: Pool/NZME
A social worker in Wairoa says more than 50 whanau are caring for elders at home who should be in aged care - but there is no aged care facility in the town.
Wairoa's only aged care facility Heritage Lifecare Glengarry closed after Cyclone Gabrielle, and more than 30 residents were moved to Hawkes Bay or Gisborne.
Aroha Moeau is a social worker with the biggest GP Practice in Wairoa - she says families are caring for loved ones at home because of lack of any care beds - and often they are in already overcrowded homes without the right equipment or experience.
Meanwhile a local iwi is trying to build a community-centered care facility for elderly residents and whanau in Wairoa, but needs $6.5 million more to make it happen.
Kathryn speaks with Aroha Moeau and Lewis Ratapu, Chief Executive of Tatau Tatau o Te Wairoa.
