‘Making Life Easier’ 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 and advocacy groups, and service providers throughout the country – not to mention a raft of information and resources – to help make your life easier.
Browse categories
Home help & personal care
e.g. meals, home help, showering assistance
Taking a break
e.g. respite, support for carers
Equipment & products
e.g. continence products, mobility aids
Around your home
e.g. gardening, trades, downsizing & moving home
Housing options
e.g. rental, 60s+ housing, public & private housing
Recreation
e.g. exercise & recreation, companion drivers & transport
End of life
e.g. funeral, palliative care, hospice
Nationwide services
e.g. government agencies like MSD, NASC
For your body & mind
e.g. dental, vision, hearing, looking after your feet (podiatry)
Local community resources
e.g. libraries, classes, cultural services
Professional services
e.g. financial and legal assistance
By the sector for the sector
e.g. industry supplies, sector recruitment
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.
Is it worthwhile creating a family trust these days?
IMPORTANT – Always obtain skilled professional advice regarding this topic. Often this question is asked with the thought that residential care fees might be avoided by setting up a family trust, and a subsidy obtained, if care is needed in the future. Family trusts set up with this purpose have...
What is the best phone and/or computer for my relative?
While usability for older users hasn’t been a strong driver in the design of smart phones, tablets and computers there are features that can definitely make these easier for older people to use, so we advise you look out for them. Anecdotally we understand older people are using large screen...
Do older people need more protein in their diet?
As we age, our bodies undergo various changes that can affect our nutritional needs. One key nutrient that older adults need more of is protein. In New Zealand, many older adults may not be getting enough protein in their diets, which can lead to a variety of health problems. Protein...
FAST campaign: Stroke Foundation of New Zealand
Your options
Home and Community
Fully independent and still living in your own home. There are many options to help you.
Making Life EasierRetirement Village
Independent living in a purpose built property with varying levels of support.
Retirement VillagesResidential Care
The full service options for all the support and levels of care you could need.
Residential CareNews 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.
Walking Football New Zealand - Sports & recreation
Walking football New Zealand offers seniors the opportunity to play in a safe environment. No running plenty of walking. A healthy way to socialize. Retirement homes/villages form a team spirit, and that team can play walking football New Zealand gala days or competition. Men or women or a mixed team...
Sensory Corner - Mobility aids & useful products
The inmuRELAX is a small 'pebble' shaped cushion that plays calming music and vibrates gently. A fabulous tool to calm agitation, to relax during the day, or to help with sleeping at night. The calming music becomes more complex with more movement, but will quieten and slowly fade when it...
Next Step Retirement Living - Advocacy services
Next Step Retirement Living can assist you in determining your needs and future requirements so you can confidently choose a retirement living solution that best suits you. As retirement approaches, making important decisions about the next phase of life can be both exciting and overwhelming. Next Step Retirement Living can...
Maruia River Retreat - Travel & Tours
Need to getaway? Reconnect with Nature. This is our most popular weekend “take-a-breath” stay. The Reconnect with nature stay is a Solo or Couple Retreat 2-3 night package; where you'll be pampered throughout your stay with daily organised nature and wellness activities, breakfast and 3-course dinners included, and plenty of...