‘Making Life Easier at Home’ is all about supporting older people to live the life they want! We want to empower you to use your voice and to make decisions that are right for your future. Here you’ll discover a huge range of care and support options, community groups, and service providers throughout the country that will help make life at home easier. Whether you’re still living in the family home, or are settled in a retirement village or residential care, these resources are for you.
Livingwell Disability Resource Centre
Otago’s independent hub for disability and accessibility support for older people, disabled people, and their whānau.Dream Eldercare
Dream Companions provide live-in or live-out support, blending practical care with genuine companionship at home or in your village.RockPool Collective
RockPool connects you with trusted local families (and their kids) to help with everyday tasks, so you can enjoy living in your homeThe Good Companion
Get help in the comfort of your own home. NationwideBrowse categories
Home help & personal care
Meal prep | Cleaning | Personal assistance | And more...
Supporting your carer
Respite care | Day programmes
Equipment & products
Mobility aids | Stair lifts | Continence | And more...
Around your home
Repairs & maintenance | Gardening | Downsizing | And more...
Housing options
Rentals | 60s + housing | Public & private housing
Recreation & transport
Exercise | Transport options | Travel
End of life
Palliative care | Funerals | Hospice | And more...
Staying healthy
Vision | Hearing | Podiatry | Therapies | And more...
Local community resources
Culture | Kaumātua programmes | Libraries | And more...
Professional services
Financial assistance | Legal matters | And more...
Industry suppliers
Industry suppliers | Recruitment & training
Let us help you find what you're looking for
What should I consider when getting help at home?
Many older people are happy living at home and just need a bit of extra support now and again – whether that means assistance around the house, getting professional support and advice, or simply connecting with like-minded people. Yet these services can be difficult to find if you don’t know where to look or if you’re not sure yet what you are looking for; in fact, sometimes you don’t know you have a problem until you find the solution. That’s where ‘Making Life Easier’ comes in.
As we all lead different lives, the support and assistance we need will vary widely. Perhaps you’re looking to meet some like-minded people in your community, join a club or group, or take up a new hobby? Or perhaps you’ve moved to a new area and want to know what services are available? Whatever support you require, you’ll find options in your region to suit.
We all need to look after our eyes, ears and feet – regardless of our age. Some of us may find we need a little extra help around the home, such as cooking and cleaning, while others may require help with their personal care. While there may be some challenges ahead as we get older, there are options to help you navigate these.
If you’re requiring home support, there are a wide range of services to choose from, including practical services and personal care. You may be eligible to receive subsidised home help (via an interRAI assessment) or you can choose to pay privately. There is a lot to consider so use our checklist to help you navigate the process – then browse home support providers in your region. You can also find loads more information about getting help at home and in your community on our Knowledge Lab.
Your questions answered
Looking for independent and impartial information to help you on your ageing journey? Looking for help but not sure where to start? The Knowledge Lab is our comprehensive resource library; dive in and find informative and practical articles and videos covering a wide range of topics, plus answers to questions you didn’t even know you had. Start browsing now.
Gardening benefits - and getting help when you need it
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...
I’m worried about my neighbour. Should I check on them?
I’m worried about my neighbour. She’s seems quite private and looks very frail. Sometimes I don’t see any movement at her place for days on end. Should I go and check on her? We live in a society where many people have highly valued privacy and individual responsibility and freedom,...
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...
What home help can I get? Who pays?
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...
Your options
Home and Community
Fully independent and living at home. There are many services to make life at home easier.
Retirement Village
Independent living in a purpose built property with varying levels of support.
Residential Care
The full service options for all the support and levels of care you could need.
News in the community
Want to read the latest news and events? See what's going on around NZ. This newsletter is created by contributions direct from the Eldernet community and is filled with good news and updates.
Duchenne Denture Specialists - Dental/Vision/Hearing
Keep Smiling with Duchenne DigiStore Lost or broken dentures? Don’t wait weeks for a replacement. With a DigiStore denture scan, we can replace your dentures in as little as 72 hours so you can get back to doing what you love. What happens during a DigiStore denture scan? The process...
Allied Medical - Mobility aids & useful products
Dogs are Welcome at Livewell Livewell, our retail store in Albany, Auckland, is proud to be a dog-friendly space, so feel free to bring your four-legged companion when you visit. Our team loves a wagging tail, and we’ve usually got a little treat on hand to help them feel right...
Nurse Maude Health & Mobility Shop - Mobility aids & useful products
Cubro Shower Stool $170.00 The Viking® shower stool has been designed to support a perched position. Its compact and user-friendly design features a height-adjustable seat and supportive armrests which assist the user with getting on and off the seat.
Sensory Corner - Mobility aids & useful products
TOVERTAFEL for Seniors Living with Dementia Enhance quality of life for seniors living with dementia with the innovative Tovertafel interactive system. Specially developed for elderly individuals in memory care and assisted living communities, the Tovertafel transforms everyday spaces into engaging, movement-based play environments. Our carefully designed interactive games support cognitive...