Residential care

When making the decision to go into a care home it is common to experience a lot of conflicting feelings. You and your family/whānau may have had quite differing views on the benefits of this and the decision may not have been easily reached. This is one of life’s major...

The quick answer is, not necessarily. The reality is we are all sexual beings, and many people wish to continue an active sex life into their older age. It may be that you currently have a partner, and you are facing separation due to the need for residential care, perhaps...

Julie Watson, who runs Silver Rainbow workshops (LGBTQIA+ education for those working in aged care) answers this question for us. If I was asked this question, I would want to see some things done immediately for this person. Their care home is their home and is the place where they...

Many people when moving into a care home are concerned about their privacy. You have a right to expect your privacy around your personal needs, health, and finances to be protected and respected. When you choose your home be observant and watch the interactions between staff and residents. Respectful behaviour...

Closing or downsizing an aged residential care (ARC) facility can have serious implications for everyone involved. That's why facilities need to follow a set of guidelines to make the process as smooth and supportive as possible. Crucially, residents should continue to receive quality care as specified under the facility’s Age...

1. Get an assessment - know what level of care you need Your assessment will have indicated your eligibility for care. Make sure you know what level of care you need. In New Zealand the interRAI assessment is used to determine your needs. 2. Find out what your options are...

The person responsible for coordinating your services will give you your Assessment Certificate and if relevant the Residential Care Subsidy - Application for Financial Means Assessment form. Make sure you know what type/level of care you require e.g. rest home, dementia, hospital, specialist hospital. Find out about levels of care...

Although it is more common for one person to be assessed as needing residential care, couples can and do move into a care home together. In fact, some care homes have rooms specifically suited to couples. On Eldernet , you can filter search results by ‘Rooms suitable for a couple’...

To move into a rest home or care home in New Zealand you will need to have an assessment, known as interRAI. This determines whether you need this care and whether you meet the eligibility criteria. The criteria are high and include a financial means assessment. You need to have...

You can transfer to a rest home in another region of New Zealand if you choose to, or you may have to transfer if your care needs change. Before you transfer, you or someone from your current residential facility need to contact your local NASC team so that they can...

Yes, you may try out a care home (often called a rest home ) before making a commitment. While you will have to pay for this yourself (you should have had an assessment first) you’ll probably find it’s money well spent. A month usually gives you enough time to assess...

If your first choice of care home only has a room available that attracts extra fees (i.e. premium fees) and if you don’t want to or cannot pay an extra fee, the following applies: If there is a vacancy for a standard room at another home within a 10km radius...

No you don't need a Care Plan to move into a care home but one will be developed with you either before or on your arrival. A Care Plan details how care is to be delivered to a resident when moving to a rest home. It is created following an...

Rest homes and retirement villages are terms that are often used incorrectly and interchangeably which causes confusion. Not only do they serve different purposes they are governed by different legislation and regulations. To many people, the word rest home includes ANY facility where older people live and where they can...

Entry to residential care is managed by a process known as Needs Assessment 1) To begin this process you either need to talk to your doctor about the issues that you are having or you can contact the agency responsible for managing assessments (known as NASC or sometimes Care Co-ordination)...

Use the Eldernet Vacancy Status Report for your region: select the correct region AND your required level of care; select View in table (located on the right side of your screen); look for care homes showing a vacancy from the Vacant Beds column and No and Some from the '...

Use the Eldernet site where each level of care i.e., rest home, dementia, hospital and specialist hospital (psychogeriatric) care in Aotearoa New Zealand is shown. See: dementia level of care Select your region and find the facility that best meets your needs. If you urgently need to find a dementia...

Use the Eldernet site where each level of care i.e., rest home, dementia, hospital and specialist hospital (psychogeriatric) care in Aotearoa New Zealand is identified. Select hospital level of care and find the facility that best meets your needs. If you urgently need to find a hospital provider that has...

All psychogeriatric facilities in Aotearoa New Zealand are listed on the Eldernet site. Find vacancies in these facilities HERE Make sure to select your region or zoom into your area on the map. For more information about residential care For: an overview of residential care For: details of all residential...

Use the Eldernet site where each level of care i.e., rest home, dementia, hospital and specialist hospital (psychogeriatric) care in Aotearoa New Zealand is shown. For rest home level of care SEE: rest home level of care Select your region and find the facility that best meets your needs. If...

All care homes have policies around such events. They are guided by New Zealand health authorities. Social connection and physical contact with whānau are fundamental to the health and wellbeing of those in aged residential care (ARC). Care providers have policies in place that enable safe visiting, social activities and...

We are sorry but we don't provide reviews of rest home/care homes for very good reasons. The Ministry Of Health certifies all care homes in New Zealand. If care homes do not meet the required certification standards they are unable to operate. Certification periods range from 60 months (very few...

Remember, a care home (rest home) is your home; just like any home you live in, you can choose to move if you wish. The first step is to contact your local Needs Assessment Coordination Service (NASC) to let them know you want to transfer. They may do another interRAI...

In New Zealand, a rest home is called a care home or residential care home. A rest home is a name people commonly use to mean a place where a person can live and get long term nursing care. Strictly speaking, a rest home is just one type of care...

The short answer is, yes -sort of – but not quite. Care homes and residential care are generic terms which refer to a type of service i.e., a home where care is provided for those who require it. A rest home applies more specifically to a type/level of care within...

The Ministry of Health website's Rest home certification and audits section shows which facilities are certified to deliver specific types or levels of care. The longest period given is five years. A shorter period usually indicates that the auditors require additional work to be done in order to meet full...

It is not easy hearing that others want you to make a potentially life changing decision. It is likely that there has been an event or events that have led to this situation. Showing yourself to be willing to listen to all perspectives and medical advice before deciding what to...

You can contact the home and ask to go on a waiting list. Start to build a rapport with the home and if possible, give some reasons for why this is your first choice of home. In the meantime, make alternative arrangements with a care home elsewhere. You can move...

You will find all the information you need here on the Eldernet site including, the process for accessing this service and a listing for every rest home or care home in the country. Eldernet Residential Care gives older people and those supporting them free, unbiased, and comprehensive information about moving...

Check the Knowledge Lab for comprehensive information about; Levels of care The Residential Care Subsidy Financial means assessment for a Residential Care Subsidy Premium rooms Dual use rooms Care suites The 10km rule and much more.

What are levels of care in New Zealand? Levels of care are essentially types of care. Currently there are four ‘levels of care’ in New Zealand: Rest Home Those who require this level of care usually have some ability to get about on their own or with some help. They...

Dual use beds or rooms are also known as swing beds. They allow for various levels of care e.g., rest home or hospital, to be provided in the same room. For those concerned about having to move rooms if their needs change, a dual use/swing bed room may be the...

Standard rooms and services are those that are covered by the Age Related Residential Care Agreement (ARRC). All Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (formerly District Health Boards) contracted providers must meet the requirements of this agreement (currently all residential care providers are contracted in New Zealand/Aotearoa). Exam­ples of...

CANZ is the abbreviation for the Care Association New Zealand. CANZ is the smaller of the two professional agencies which represent providers of Aged Residential Care in New Zealand (that is, rest homes, dementia care home, and aged care hospitals). These providers pay a membership fee to belong to the...

Levels of care are essentially types of residential care in New Zealand for older adults. D3 is an older term that may still be used in parts of the South Island to refer to dementia level of care. Currently there are four ‘levels of care’ in NZ. They are Rest...

Levels of care are essentially types of residential care in New Zealand for older adults. D6 is an older term that may still be used in parts of the South Island to refer to Psychogeriatric Specialist Hospital level of care. Currently there are four ‘levels of care’ in NZ. They...

Hospital care (Aged Residential Care) is provided for those who have a significant disability and medical concerns. Most require the assistance of two people to move about. This type of hospital care is different to services provided at New Zealand's public hospitals. Find hospital level of care for older people...

Premium accommodation is that which is over and above the ARRC agreement requirements so is not a standard room. It attracts additional daily costs of $5 to $100 plus. These services may include fixed features (such as an ensuite, tea/coffee making area or a view for example) and/or features associated...

Specialist Hospital/Psychogeriatric Care is a type of care designed for people with a mental health or dementia disorder who require a high level of nursing care and management of challenging behaviour. They therefore require a secure environment and the skills of staff trained in psychogeriatric care. Psychogeriatric care is care...

People who require a rest home level of care in New Zealand usually have some ability to get about on their own or with someone helping them. They require some assistance with personal care and general day to day activities. Many have a degree of memory loss. Some people who...

The 10km rule is a provision or formula for finding a rest home or care home room where there are no additional accommodation fees and where usual attempts to find such a room have been unsuccessful. If your first choice of care home only has a room available that attracts...

ACA is the abbreviation for the Aged Care Association New Zealand. This organisation (previously colloquially referred to as NZACA) is the professional body that represents nearly all providers of Aged Residential Care in New Zealand (that is, rest homes, dementia care home, and aged care hospitals). These providers pay a...

The Age Related Residential Care contract (often referred to as the ARC or ARRC agreement) is actually one of two agreements between health funders and providers of residential care services. These agreements define the national standards for the delivery of services in residential care facilities in New Zealand. These services...

For many people, moving to a rest home or care home brings up a range of emotions such as a sense of loss but also anticipation. Moving involves quite a lot of planning and can feel daunting. Often, people worry about downsizing their possessions, losing the things that they take...

While there are a variety of reasons for this; the most common is that the person has experienced a deterioration in health and is having difficulty with managing at home. (Note: an assessment by an authorised service is required prior to entry to residential care.) The following are five typical...

Eldernet Residential Care provides daily aged residential care vacancies by level of care in New Zealand. Find vacancies in your region here: www.eldernet.co.nz/vacancies

Choosing a residential care facility (like a care or rest home) that is a member of a formal organisation, such as the New Zealand Care Association (NZACA) or Care Association New Zealand (CANZ ), assures you that the rest home meets high standards of care and service. NZACA is a...

Income and asset testing refers to a financial assessment undertaken by those who require residential care and who: are unable to afford to pay the required fees and need to apply for a Residential Care Subsidy (RCS), those who are close to this position or, those who require clarification as...

In New Zealand, a financial means assessment is a process used to determine an individual's eligibility for a residential care subsidy , which helps cover the costs of long-term residential care services. This assessment evaluates the person's financial situation and determines their ability to contribute towards the cost of their...

The July 2023 figures (known as ‘financial contribution’ ) cover the cost to 'the eligible person' of a standard bed/room and range from $1355.76 to $1464.26 per week (depending on where they live in the country). This amount is also known as the Maximum Contribution. (MC) Many care homes now...

You are responsible for paying for, or contributing towards, residential care services just as you would pay for whatever you needed if you lived elsewhere. There is a maximum amount that you will have to pay (as long as provider meets certain requirements which all providers listed in the residential...

We understand, the cost for living in a residential care home does seem high, however a bit of a reality check shows that it’s not at all. The following is a comparison with someone living in a hotel and buying in home support services three times a week. No other...

If the care homes are in the same defined geographical region then the quick answer is 'no'. The maximum you have to pay for your contracted care, basic accommodation, meals, laundry etc. is known as the Maximum Contribution. These payment rates, which vary according to where you live (the regions...

A care suite (previously called a care apartment) is technically a retirement village offering with care components governed by the Age-Related Residential Care (ARRC) Agreement. It offers the same type of care as a care home and is bound by the same rules. As this is a type of retirement...

A premium room (or a room that has premium accommodation charges) is a room that has features that are NOT required under the Age Related Residential Care Agreement (ARRC) (i.e., they are over and above the standard features and services). Important: Those who pay for premium accommodation do not get...

A RAD or Refundable Accommodation Deposit is an alternative to paying premium charges, and is offered by some facilities. It is a single upfront payment that is refunded in full after your room is vacated. Find out more about premium accommodation charges here. Find rest home bed vacancies on Eldernet...

If owning your former home puts you over the Asset Threshold and your other assets are under it, you may be able to get a government funded Res­idential Care Loan to cover your fees. Applications are considered case by case, are discretionary and must fit the scheme’s criteria. You will...

If you are single the limit is $273,628 If you are a couple and you both need care the limit is $273,628 If you are a couple, and one of you needs care there are two options: This option is often chosen by those who have more limited assets. The...

Everyone in a certified and contracted care home is required to pay for their accommodation and services. If you have little to no assets the government uses your NZ Super to pay for your care. If you have assets and/or income over the required thresholds, you are required to contribute/pay...

The Residential Care Subsidy is financial assistance that may be available for those over 65 needing residential care and who meet eligibility criteria (including health and financial criteria). NOTE: It is distinct from the Residential Support Subsidy that may be available for those under 65. The Residential Care Subsidy –...

If someone has been assessed as requiring dementia level care in New Zealand, they are responsible for paying, or contributing, towards the cost of that care. People with available funds will pay privately for this care; others will have the cost of care subsidised through government funding. For those who...