Families generally have the best of intentions when it comes to where you live – they want to be nearer to you so they can visit more regularly or be closer whenever you need help. However, what is best for your family may not be the best thing for you.
Before you decide, it can help to think about what you would gain from a move, and what you might give up.
What you have now
If you have lived in your current care home, or in the same town, for a long time, you may have built up a network of friends, neighbours, and familiar faces - people who know you and look out for you. In smaller communities especially, that sense of 'everyone knows each other' can be a real source of support, even if you don't have family nearby.
That kind of support can be hard to replace. Moving to a new town or city where you don't know anyone could leave you feeling isolated, even if your family are closer.
What a move could offer
On the other hand, living nearer your family could mean seeing them more often, and having them close by if your health or needs change. For many people, that is worth a great deal.
Questions to ask yourself
- How often do I realistically expect to see my family if I move? Their lives may be busy, and visits don't always happen as often as everyone hopes.
- Would I be comfortable living somewhere different - for example, in a bigger city rather than a small town?
- Who supports me now, and would I lose that support if I moved?
- Am I considering this because I want to, or because I feel I should?
Talk it through
It's a tricky situation, and there is no single right answer. The key here is communication. Rather than doing what you think your family wants, talk the issues through with them. Being open and honest about the situation may free you of any sense of obligation you have and allow the best solution to emerge.
If you decide to transfer
If you do decide that you would like to transfer to another care home, whether within your Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora region or outside it, it must be done consultation with your local service/care co-ordination service.
If your needs have changed since your last assessment you will be reassessed to determine the level of care you require. If the transfer is to another Health NZ region your coordinator will contact the corresponding team in the region you intend to move to. An acceptance needs to be received before you move. This process also allows time for funding details to be sorted out.
Updated: 30 Oct 2026