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The majority of older New Zealanders are happy living at home and just need a bit of extra support now and again. There are plenty of services designed to keep you living well in your own home, including home support assistance (such as home help and personal care) and respite or short term care. Staying connected with your community is particularly important for older people living at home – whether that’s knowing where to go when you’re feeling unwell, looking out for your neighbours, or volunteering. You’ll also find a range of driving and transport options available throughout New Zealand to help you maintain your independence, as well as information about housing options available in your region.

Respite / Short term care

Home & community
Can I book respite care without advanced notice?

Some care/rest homes in New Zealand may take a respite booking at short notice. They often indicate that they offer this service in their Eldernet listing. Whether or not they can take a short-term respite booking when you need it depends on: the availability of beds (the majority of homes...

Home & community
Do all care homes offer respite care?

Not all care homes offer respite or short stay care. A few dedicate a bed for this purpose and others offer it on an 'ad hoc' basis (which generally means when they have a vacancy that they can offer for a short stay). When looking for a care home use...

Home & community
Do I need an assessment to access respite care?

While you may pay privately for respite care, an interRAI assessment is required if you wish to access subsidised respite care in New Zealand. This assessment is conducted by trained health professionals and is usually organised through your local NASC or older person’s service. The assessment identifies the level of...

Home & community
How can I supplement my respite subsidy allocation?

Many people find that taking regular breaks helps them sustain their caring role at home for much longer than they otherwise could. But making respite care work—especially if you've used up your allocated subsidy—can sometimes take a bit of creativity and planning. Here are some practical ways to supplement your...

Home & community
How far in advance can I book respite care?

Whether advance bookings are offered or not often depends on the availability of care home beds in your region. Where there are no or few dedicated respite care beds in a region bookings may only be able to be made when a vacancy becomes available. This makes long term planning...

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Home & community
I’m a carer – do I really need a break?

No matter how strong and capable a carer is, they need regular time out to recharge their physical and mental batteries. Just like someone with a demanding job is encouraged to take regular leave to ensure they are at the top of their game when they are on the job,...

Home & community
Is there a subsidy for respite care in New Zealand?

Yes, there is funding available for Respite Care. It is known as the Respite Care Subsidy. In order to access this an assessment needs to be completed first, your eligibility confirmed, and allocation given. Subsidised Respite Care This is usually provided in a care home. Eligibility is via an assessment....

Home & community
What are the alternatives to respite care in a care home?

Having respite or short stay care in a care home doesn't suit everyone. The following give you options that you can access either in the community or in your own home. Day or social programmes are a great way of allowing your carer to take a break, while also giving...

Home & community
What do I need to do to prepare for a respite short stay?

This response assumes you are either privately paying for this service or have been assessed and are eligible for a subsidy. You are readying for a respite short stay in a care home. 1. The first thing to do, is to determine how you will pay for the service. If...

Home & community
What is carer support?

This payment is designed to support full-time carers. It can provide reimbursement of some of the costs of engaging a support person to care and support you or allow for purchases which will support your carer in their role. A full-time carer is defined as someone who provides more than...

Home & community
What is respite care or short stay care?

Respite care, also known as short-term support or short-stay care, is a temporary care service designed to give full-time carers a break from their usual responsibilities. It also provides benefits to the person being cared for. Your carer needs time out for themselves. No matter how capable you feel they...

Home & community
What should I be clear about when exploring respite options?

Respite generally means taking a break from your usual responsibilities, but its meaning — and how you access it — can vary depending on the context. In the health sector, you might be advised that you or someone you support could benefit from respite or carer support. However, that doesn't...

Home & community
Who pays for respite care?

You can pay privately for respite care. Alternatively, you may be able to access subsidised respite services via an assessment. The main types of subsidised packages to support carers in New Zealand are: Respite Care Subsidy. This payment is equivalent to the rate paid for residential care, the cost of...