Residential care

If you cannot (or no longer wish to) pay the premium accommodation charges, you can review your premium tenancy 18 months after admission and every six months thereafter. The provider then has six months to move you to a standard room, giving three days’ notice, or cease charging premium room...

There’s a lot to get your head around when it comes to how much of your care home fees you have to pay yourself and for how long. The rules and regulations governing this include means assessments and asset tests. You are responsible for paying for, or contributing towards, your...

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 June 2025 figures (known as ‘financial contribution’ ) cover the cost to 'the eligible person' of a standard bed/room and range from $1,460.27 to $1,535.66 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 (sometimes also known as a care apartment) is generally 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...

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). Those who pay for premium accommodation do not get a...

RAD is short for Refundable Accommodation Deposit , and it is an alternative payment option offered by some care facilities in New Zealand. Instead of paying ongoing premium accommodation charges, you can choose to make a single up-front lump-sum payment. The key point is that this amount is fully refunded...

In order to receive subsidised residential care, you need to pass a financial means assessment. This involves an asset test. 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...

If you are single the limit is $291,825. If you are a couple and you both need care the limit is $291,825. If you are a couple, and one of you needs care there are two threshold options: Combined assets of $159,810, not including the value of your home and...

Premium charges relate to a room with additional features of a permanent or fixed nature; commonly called premium accommodation charges. There are rules regarding these charges such as when and how you can review your tenancy. Additional services are those that are over and above the contracted service and can...

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). It's important to note it is distinct from the Residential Support Subsidy that may be available for those under 65. The Residential...

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...