Lay summary
In Aotearoa, new care models are needed to help people live well in older life. This is particularly important in Wairoa, where extreme weather events led to the closure of their only aged residential care facility. We will co-create a community-based aged care model for older and whānau in Waiora district, delivered by kaiārahi (WhānauOra navigators) and test intervention feasibility and acceptability which has the potential to inform new models of aged care in Aotearoa. We will also undertake a comprehensive wellbeing assessment, using a 'door-knocking’ approach to recruit participants. We will report the current health and social wellbeing of older people in Wairoa. This will help identify unmet need and the types of services that support older people to live well. This project has the potential for immediate and sustainable long-term benefits locally and nationally including improved carer support, increased access to healthcare and care closer to home.