‘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.
Browse 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.
How often should I have a health check?
Opinions vary as to how often you should have these but once a year is a common standard for older people. Those who keep well are obviously not going to need to see their health advisor as often as someone who has more complex health needs, so the first step...
I visit the doctor regularly. Can I get subsidised visits?
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...
What is a Green Prescription?
A Green Prescription Rōngoa Kākāriki is a programme in New Zealand that aims to support people to become more physically active and make positive changes to their lifestyle. The programme involves a healthcare professional or a trained health coach giving the patient a "prescription" for physical activity and lifestyle changes....
Do all care homes offer respite care?
Not all care homes offer respite or short stay care. A few dedicate a bed for this purpose and others offer it on an 'ad hoc' basis (which generally means when they have a vacancy that they can offer for a short stay). When looking for a care home use...
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.

ContinenceCare - Continence
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Shane's Installation Services - Trades
Hi, my name is Shane and have been installing TVs, aerials and satellite dishes for over 15 years. Over the last 5 years I have also introduced CCTV for home security, and the supply and installation of routers and access points to improve Wi-Fi throughout the house. I am happy...

Sensory Corner - Mobility aids & useful products
Sensory is for Everyone When people hear the terms sensory input or sensory regulation, they often associate it with children—particularly those with sensory processing challenges or neurodiverse needs. Sensory play, therapy tools, and weighted blankets are commonly marketed for kids who need support with focus, emotional regulation, or calming strategies....

Next Step Retirement Living - Advocacy services
Next Step Retirement Living provides independent advice to help you choose a retirement village or living solution that truly meets your future needs and requirements. We take the time to understand what matters most to you and your loved ones, creating a personalized plan. We arrange tours of suitable villages...