Do all retirement villages have care on site?
Not every retirement village in Aotearoa New Zealand offers aged care on site, so it's important to understand exactly what support is available before you make a move. The questions below can help you compare villages and get a feel for the level of care you can expect. What services...
What is the difference between premium & additional charges?
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...
Are there rental options for older people in New Zealand?
Home ownership in New Zealand has been declining for the past 30 years, a fact that has been exacerbated more recently by rising inflation and the increased cost of living. As a result, an increasing number of older people rent. While there are a variety of rental options that may...
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...
Find information about getting older
We pride ourselves on being the most trusted online resource for older people and those supporting them to find the information they need to navigate the ageing journey. Yet, we also understand that not everyone wants to, or is able to, access the internet. This is why The Eldernet Group...
What is a 'good death'?
As we age, the topic of death becomes more prevalent in our lives. We witness our friends and family members pass away, and we become more aware of our own mortality. While it may be a difficult topic to discuss, it's important to understand what it means to have a...
What is the Winter Energy Payment?
The Winter Energy Payment is an extra payment provided to those eligible to help with the cost of home heating during the cooler months of the year. It is a non-taxable amount paid from May – October. To find current Winter Energy Payment rates, visit the Work and Income website....
What is a dual use room or swing bed?
Dual use (or “swing”) beds are rooms that can support more than one level of care - typically rest home or hospital care - to be provided in the same room, which means the resident doesn't need to change rooms. This can be especially reassuring if you’re worried about the...
What is premium accommodation or a premium bed?
Premium accommodation is that which provides amenities over and above the ARRC agreement requirements. 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 with the room (such as...
What does it mean to have dignity at end of life?
End of life care is an important service in New Zealand. Reaching out early on for help allows care specialists to better understand your needs and respond suitably. When we or someone close to us is dying, we want to know this can be done peacefully, comfortably and with dignity....
What is a RAD?
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...
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...
Should I get a bowel screening?
Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in New Zealand and the fourth most common cause of cancer death. It is estimated that around 3,000 new cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed each year in New Zealand, and more than 1,200 people die from the disease. The risk of...
Is a villa in a retirement village the right option for me?
There is a range of different accommodation options to choose from in retirement villages across New Zealand. A popular choice for many people is a villa. A villa is a good option for people wanting to maximise space. Villas are commonly free standing and offer a modern open plan kitchen,...
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...
How can I stay as independent as possible?
While there are many factors that help us stay independent one of the biggest is having meaningful relationships. These relationships include people, pets and places. Meaningful relationships keep us in a good mental space so that we can do all the other things that help us maintain our independence. Since...
Find advocacy services for older people in New Zealand
In New Zealand, there are a number of services and organisations that are there to support and advocate on behalf of older people. Some of these include: Age Concern : Age Concern is a nationwide organisation that provides advocacy services for older people. They offer support, information, and advocacy to...
What is a premium room?
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...
What do I need to do to prepare for a respite short stay?
This response assumes you are either privately paying for this service or have been assessed and are eligible for a subsidy. You are readying for a respite short stay in a care home. 1. The first thing to do, is to determine how you will pay for the service. If...