What is a dual use room or swing bed?
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...
What is premium accommodation or a premium bed?
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...
What is a RAD?
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...
Follow the retirement village journey
The following example shows how the Deferred Management Fee (DMF) is worked out in New Zealand and how it affects the final payout. Example – Mr C Mr C chose a unit in a village near to his old home. He did his homework which included: Using the village checklist...
How does an interRAI assessment work?
In New Zealand, an assessment tool called interRAI helps older people access the services they need and helps sector professionals find out more about the needs of all New Zealanders. You may be referred for an interRAI assessment or you can self-refer via older person’s services. The process begins with...
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...
11 steps to moving to residential care
The person responsible for coordinating your services will give you your Assessment Certificate and if relevant they will give you information on the Residential Care Subsidy, which you can find information on here. Make sure you know what type/level of care you require e.g. rest home, dementia, hospital, specialist hospital....
What are the costs of entering a village?
Depending on where you want to live in New Zealand, the cost of ‘buying’ into a village can vary greatly – some units can be priced in the $100,000s while others are in multi-millions. This ‘purchase’ price is known as the Capital Contribution Every retirement village unit listed on retirementvillages.co.nz...
What are the pros and cons of living in a village?
Approximately 14% of the people aged 75 and older choose to live in a village – and that number is set to increase as our population continues to age. It is estimated that 26,000 retirement village units will need to be built by 2033 just to keep up with current...
What are some alternatives to retirement village living?
‘Buying’ into a retirement village can be a great option for those who are wanting to maintain their independence while living among a like-minded community. Yet it’s not the only choice – there are myriad other living options to suit all lifestyles. Staying where you are There is benefit in...
Mythbusting - Retirement Villages are expensive
Are Retirement Villages expensive? In short, the answer is ‘not always.’ There can be some very affordable homes within Retirement Villages, however, not all are priced at the affordable end of the market either. Just like real estate on the open market, Retirement Villages offer a range of options –...
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...
I want to continue working past 65. What are my options?
Working past 65 is fast becoming the norm in New Zealand; in fact, almost half of people aged between 65 – 69 are still in paid employment in New Zealand. People will have their own reasons for wanting to work into their later years; for some it’s about contributing their...
How much do I need to retire in New Zealand?
Everyone’s circumstances are different and there is no one size fits all rule when it comes to financing a retirement. Some may want to spend every dollar they have while others will want to keep some left in the kitty for an inheritance or bequest. Of course, people will have...
I’m thinking of volunteering. What are the benefits?
Not only does volunteering have a positive impact on the economy, but also the community and the volunteers themselves. The most common reasons people give for doing voluntary work are: being helpful to others, “paying back” to society, and having a sense of obligation to the future generations. It is...
Do residents need to move from the village to receive care?
While it is true that some village residents may need to receive care in an alternative facility, it is by no means the most likely scenario. In fact, only 12.8% of Kiwis living in villages end up being moved to a different facility to receive care and more than half...
Am I paying too much for power?
A free online tool called ‘ Powerswitch ’ (provided by ConsumerNZ) allows people to compare electricity and gas prices offered by providers throughout New Zealand. This service was previously known as ‘What’s My Number.’ Finding out how much you can save takes less than two minutes and involves answering some...
I’ve just turned 75 – how do I renew my NZ driver’s licence?
When you turn 75, your licence will be valid for only two to five years, and you will need to present a medical certificate each time you apply. If recommended by your doctor, you will also have to sit a 30-minute On-road Safety Test. As you will need to renew...
Do I need a medical certificate to renew a driver’s licence?
To renew your licence past your 75th birthday you will need to visit your doctor to get a 'Medical certificate for driver licence'. Tell your doctor the certificate is for your driver licence. You will have to pay for the appointment yourself. During your appointment your doctor will discuss your...
What is the Total Mobility Scheme?
The Total Mobility Scheme assists people with eligible mobility issues around New Zealand to get access to subsidised door-to-door transport. It's aimed at people with temporary or long-term disabilities who cannot use public transport, and therefore need an alternative mode of transport to live their lives normally and stay connected...