When Matilda was diagnosed with dementia a few years ago, her whānau knew straight away what mattered most — helping her stay in her own home in Ōpōtiki for as long as possible.

She’s always been strong-willed (and still is!), and with her health otherwise in good shape, the family wanted to make sure she could keep her independence, while still having the right support around her.

That’s where her son Chris stepped in. With the help of SupportNet, Matilda was given an Individualised Funding budget, which meant Chris could take on the role of agent for his mum. In simple terms, that meant he could choose who supported her day-to-day and make sure it was the right fit.

It’s about more than just support — it’s about keeping Mum at home, where she wants to be, and making sure she’s with people who know her best.

And for Chris, there was no question — the best people to care for Matilda were her own whānau. So he reached out to his nieces and nephews (Matilda’s mokopuna), and together they created a circle of care around their grandmother. Every day, they check in, make sure she’s safe, has a good meal, and most importantly, that she feels loved and comfortable at home.

Matilda still likes to potter about and do things her own way. She laughs that sometimes her carers “get in her way,” but you can tell she’s deeply comforted knowing they’re close by.

When we visited Matilda and Chris, we were welcomed in like old friends. Sitting and kōrero in her living room, it was easy to see how much aroha flows through this family. The way they’ve wrapped around their mum shows how Individualised Funding isn’t just about services and budgets — it’s about choice, dignity, and the power of whānau.

Matilda’s story is a beautiful reminder of the power of whānau, aroha, and choice. With the right support, people like Matilda can continue to live in the place they call home, surrounded by those who matter most.