What is an EPA? What you need to know.
Enduring Powers of Attorney (known as an EPA or EPOA) are legal documents that allow you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions for you if you are no longer able to do so yourself. Some people set an EPA up when they buy their first home or start...
What is the Code of Residents Rights?
The Code of Residents' Rights outlines the basic rights you have as a resident living in a New Zealand retirement village under the Retirement Villages Act. A copy of it must be given to intending residents with their disclosure statement, as well as to any resident or potential resident if...
I live in a rest home. Is this the end of my sex life?
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...
What is a serviced apartment?
A serviced apartment, a common retirement village option, provides for the delivery of services to people who are paying privately for services. Commonly these people are reasonably independent. Services range from meals and cleaning services to, in some cases, high-end services such as a personal chef and chauffeur. High levels...
What is an ORA?
Buying into a village is different to purchasing a house. For the majority of villages, you do not ‘own’ it or the land it’s on (as you might own a house elsewhere). The sum you pay to 'buy' into the village is known as your Capital Contribution. An Occupation Right...
Is a rest home, care home, and residential care the same?
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...
What is a Residential Care Loan?
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...
I'm going to a rest home? Will I have to pay for my care?
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...
How can we help mum settle into her new rest home?
Moving into a care home requires a lot of major lifestyle adjustments. While everyone deals with change differently family members may be able to utilise the suggestions below to assist with this adjustment process. All mayor changes we make in life have some positive aspects and some less so. Remember...
10 steps to finding the best care home for you
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...
What is a Disclosure Statement?
A Disclosure Statement is one of the documents you will receive if you intend to ‘purchase’ into a village (alongside an Occupation Right Agreement or ORA). A Disclosure Statement is an important document to read and understand, as it explains the key information about moving to a village, including the...
Making your own housing decisions
My family want me to move as they think I can’t manage in this house anymore. I appreciate their concerns but don’t necessarily agree with all of them. I’ve got a lot of friends along the street, and I love it here. What can I do? Take a piece of...
Can I move to a rest home now?
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...
The rules around mobility scooters.
If you have limited mobility, mobility scooters can be great to way to maintain your independence and lifestyle. It is however necessary to have comparable skills and be just as safety conscious as you would in any other vehicle. The Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 states that a: mobility...
Thinking of retirement living? Start here
Villages in New Zealand vary greatly – in size, location, on-site offerings, ownership, philosophy and of course price – so it comes down to choosing the village that best suits your needs. Before you get your heart set on any particular village or unit, spend plenty of time studying your...
Am I eligible for a medical alarm?
In New Zealand, there is a cost to rent and monitor a medical alarm and the weekly charge to monitor a medical alarm varies between suppliers. Provided you are eligible for the special Disability Allowance the cost of renting a medical alarm may be fully funded. The medical alarm has...
Mythbusting - Will I get access to care on site?
If I live in a retirement village will I get access to the care home on-site? The truth is that if you need a high level of support and can no longer stay in your village unit, you are likely to be able to access care in the onsite care...
What is a care suite?
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...
What is the asset limit for the rest home subsidy in 2025?
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...
What is the Deferred Management Fee (DMF)?
The DMF is an amount you pay when you leave a village, rather than when you join. The figure is defined in your contract. The deferred management fee is a delayed (and deducted) payment you (or your estate) make on exiting the village. It is to cover the cost of...