Search Results for "mental health"

The type of home help you can get and who pays for it depends on whether you want or need subsidised services (in which case your eligibility is determined by an assessment) or whether you will self pay. Typically home support services include assistance with your personal and, possibly your...

For many New Zealanders, there is a significant cost barrier to accessing the internet. It is estimated that approximately 130,320 homes across New Zealand don’t have an internet connection. Skinny Jump: Skinny Jump is an initiative by the Spark Foundation that provides subsidised broadband services to eligible New Zealanders who...

When moving into a care home, many people are concerned about their privacy. You have a right to expect your privacy around your personal needs, health, and finances to be protected and respected. When you choose your home be observant and watch the interactions between staff and residents. Respectful behaviour...

You may have had concerns about your relative for some time. Or this situation you’re now facing may be totally unexpected. When the recommendation for residential care is made you may have mixed feelings. Perhaps you worry that you or the health professionals are being too hasty, or you feel...

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 a health or disability issue is making it hard for you to stay living at home, help is available. Life is full of times of transition where we move from one stage to another. Managing these is not always easy. One such transition can come when a health or...

Care homes (also known as rest homes or residential care facilities) and retirement villages are often talked about as if they're the same thing, but they're not. They serve different purposes and are governed by different legislation and regulations. Care home / residential care Many people use the term rest...

All care homes have policies around such events which are guided by New Zealand health authorities. Social connection and physical contact with whānau are fundamental to the health and wellbeing of those in aged residential care (ARC). Care providers have policies in place that enable safe visiting, social activities and...

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) happens each year on June 15th. It was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 66/127 , December 2011, following a request by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA), who...

Gardening is beneficial for older people because it: is often an enjoyable form of exercise. increases levels of physical activity and helps mobility and flexibility. encourages use of all motor skills. improves endurance and strength. helps prevent diseases like osteoporosis. reduces stress levels and promotes relaxation. Older people often list...

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...

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...

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...

When you're exploring retirement villages in New Zealand, you'll find a wide range of accommodation options. Here's a simple breakdown of the most common choices and what they offer. Villas are standalone homes, usually with one to three bedrooms (sometimes more). They often come with their own garden or outdoor...

New Zealanders can reduce their medicine costs through the Pharmaceutical/Prescription Subsidy Scheme. Once you have paid for 20 prescription items for from 1 February each year, you become eligible for the subsidy. You do not have to pay any more prescription charges for the rest of that year (to 31...

The High Use Health Card gives a general practice a higher government subsidy for patients with high health needs. To be eligible for this card, the patient needs to have visited their enrolled health service 12 or more times in one year. These visits must be related to an ongoing...

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...

We expect that our diet and appetite will change as we age, and to a certain point eating less as you get older is normal. Mobility issues may cause older people to reduce the amount of physical activity they do, and their metabolism may slow down which results in less...

Message from Carolyn Cooper, Aged Care Commissioner : Kia ora, I’m Carolyn Cooper, the Aged Care Commissioner for Aotearoa New Zealand. This is a new role created (in 2022) to help monitor the delivery of great quality of care and quality of life for older people. We all have the...

There are many reasons why older people's appetite decrease; cooking for one, ill-fitting dentures, difficulty shopping, finances, and some medications are all factors that could leave them without much of an appetite. However, usually losing your appetite is a symptom of something else. If you are worried about yourself, or...