Find information about moving into a retirement village
Considering making a move to a retirement village? Our resource retirementvillages.co.nz is New Zealand’s most comprehensive guide to retirement villages, and showcases every retirement village in Aotearoa. It hosts the country’s largest selection of properties for sale, with more than 500 properties currently listed. Search available properties across every region...
The home I rent has been flood damaged. What are my rights?
If you rent a home that has incurred damage as a result of a natural disaster (such as a flood), there are rights you have as a tenant. ConsumerNZ has provided an outline of these: Landlords should be aware they are responsible for maintaining the property. This includes damage caused...
What is the cost of leaving a village?
The major cost of leaving a village is the Deferred Management Fee (DMF) that is deducted from the original capital sum you paid when ‘purchasing’ into the village. It is to cover the cost of the management and refurbishment of the village (roading, footpaths, lighting, communal amenities etc). The industry...
The hard conversations e.g., I don’t think mum’s coping
It’s important to understand, in the first instance, that some people are happy to live the way they do. They may not have lived this way in the past, however some are happy to make a trade off with the standard of living they have now, with their ability to...
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...
Why is a will so important? Can I make my own will?
A Will is an important document as it allows you to stipulate what happens to your estate after your death. It is advisable to consult a specialist when looking to make a Will. Ask about the cost; some organisations or lawyers may do this for free if they are also...
How often do I need to update my Will?
It is recommended that you review your Will every year to ensure it’s still up to date. If your circumstances have changed, you should definitely make changes to your Will. This could include a change to your relationship status (leaving a relationship or beginning a new one), an addition to...
Helping with dementia
How can I help people with dementia? I’ve got several friends who have dementia and in the the main they’re living quite well at home with their partners. I’d like to be able to be a bit more supportive. What do I need to know? The first thing to know,...
Considering downsizing?
Consider the following: lots of your friends are downsizing and your children think it would be a good thing to do, but you're undecided. What are your options and what do you need to consider? Downsizing usually means moving house, and regardless of age is a challenging time. There are...
Financial Means Assessment form - Work and Income
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...
End of life planning
Thinking about and planning for the end of life is something many of us would rather never do. Yet, doing so can help put your mind at rest – and allow you to get on with the important job of living. A good way to go about this is to...
Carer stress is real - carers need time out too
A caring role is often stressful and no matter how strong and capable you think your carer is, they will need regular time out to recharge their physical and mental batteries. So, who is a carer? While in this instance it’s Sally, a person may be considered a carer even...
I live in a rest home. Is this the end of my sex life?
The short 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 can I do to keep my mind active?
Maintaining your mental fitness is as important as staying physically fit, and often the two go hand in hand. Factors such as having regular physical exercise; staying well; seeing your doctor when you are unwell and having a good diet all contribute to good mental health. We can also exercise...
Can assistive equipment make my life easier?
Many people are not aware of the equipment and mobility solutions on the market. You may only need one or two pieces of equipment to make all the difference between managing and feeling unsafe. Find out as much as you can. Ask your friends and family, go online, get brochures...
What accommodation options are there in a care home?
Care homes offer a wide range of accommodation options, at varying price levels. Something that costs extra in one home (like an ensuite) may be included at no additional cost in another, so it's good to ask lots of questions and make comparisons. Years ago, most rest homes in New...
Keeping safe at home
We should all feel safe and secure in our homes, whether we own, rent, or live in a retirement village. Here, we share some valuable home safety tips for people of all ages as well as some useful tools for older people looking for extra security measures to assist when...
What is elder abuse?
What is elder abuse? I'm worried about what's going on at my friend's place. What can be done? We know it’s hard to ask for help, regardless of whether you’re the person being treated in this way, the person behaving in this way or someone who is concerned about a...
I trust my family. Do I really need an EPA?
This is a common sentiment and in many situations, families do indeed do the right thing for those who trust them. Life, however, is often complicated by the fact that people don’t always see things the same way and rather than letting family members sort things out amongst themselves, each...
What is an ORA?
Buying into a retirement village works differently to purchasing a regular house. In most villages, you don't actually 'own' the unit or the land it's on, as you would in a traditional property purchase. Instead, the amount you pay upfront is called your Capital Contribution , which gives you the...