Somerfield Dementia Rest Home
At a glance
- Name
- Somerfield Dementia Rest Home
- Category
- Respite / short term care
- Address
- 137 Barrington Street
Somerfield
Christchurch 8024 - Region
- Canterbury
- Phone
- View Phone Number
- Mobile
- View Mobile Number
- View Email Address
- Web
- Visit Website
- Social Media
FacebookPersonnel
- Manager
- Mutya Guirigay-Salvadora - (03) 332 5897
- Owner
- Heritage Lifecare - 0800 786 589
- Registered Nurse
- (03) 332 5897
- Clinical Services Manager
- Jismi Joseph - 027 330 5012
Other services
Photos
Map
Respite Care at Somerfield Dementia Rest Home
Respite care is a short-term or temporary care option that provides support for a person living with dementia while giving family members and carers valuable time to rest, recharge, attend to other commitments or simply take a well-earned break. It can also provide reassurance that your loved one is being supported in a safe, caring and welcoming environment.
Kia ora – Welcome to Somerfield Dementia Rest Home, proudly part of Heritage Lifecare.
At Somerfield, we provide specialised dementia care for up to 39 residents in a small, secure and homely environment. We understand that coming into respite care can be a significant change for both the person living with dementia and their family or whānau. Our team aims to make the transition as comfortable and reassuring as possible.
A Warm and Homely Environment
Somerfield has been designed to feel welcoming and familiar rather than institutional. Our home includes several smaller, comfortable lounge areas where residents can socialise, relax or spend quieter time with visiting family and whānau.
Our beautiful secure rose garden, courtyards and outdoor areas provide opportunities to enjoy fresh air, sunshine and the changing seasons. Easy indoor-outdoor flow encourages safe freedom of movement and allows residents to explore and enjoy their surroundings.
Personalised Dementia Care
Every person living with dementia is unique. Our experienced nursing, care and activities teams take the time to understand each person's life story, routines, preferences, abilities, interests and individual care needs.
Our approach focuses on maintaining dignity, choice and independence while providing the level of assistance and reassurance each person requires. We aim to maintain familiar routines wherever possible, particularly during a short respite stay.
Our team works collaboratively with residents, family and whānau, GPs, allied health professionals and other healthcare providers to support individual health and wellbeing needs.
Meaningful Activities and Connection
Meaningful engagement is an important part of everyday life at Somerfield. Our activities programme offers opportunities for residents to participate according to their interests, abilities and preferences.
Activities may include music, pet therapy, social and interactive activities, entertainment, gentle exercise, time outdoors and everyday activities that encourage connection, enjoyment and a sense of purpose.
Residents are always supported to participate in ways that are comfortable and meaningful for them.
Supporting Families and Whānau
We recognise that caring for someone living with dementia can be both rewarding and demanding. Taking a break is an important part of maintaining wellbeing and being able to continue in a caring role.
Respite may be helpful when carers are planning a holiday, recovering from illness, attending family commitments or simply needing some time to rest. It can also provide an opportunity for a person living with dementia and their whānau to become familiar with residential care in a supportive and welcoming way.
We encourage families and whānau to remain connected during a respite stay and welcome their involvement.
Respite Availability
Respite care is available subject to bed availability, individual assessment and our ability to safely meet the person's care needs. Planned bookings are welcomed, and we encourage families to contact us early where possible to discuss their requirements.
Choosing respite care for someone you love is an important decision. We welcome you to visit Somerfield, meet our team, explore our gardens and living spaces, and talk with us about how we may be able to support you and your loved one.
We look forward to welcoming you to Somerfield and showing you around our whare – home.
Our Services Offering Respite / Short Stay
| Level of Care | Vacancy | Care Suites Vacancy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dementia | Yes | View Details | |
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Updated: 4 Sep 2026 |
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Service Description
| Somerfield Dementia Rest Home provides specialised respite and short-stay care for people living with dementia. Our small, secure and homely environment offers personalised support, meaningful activities, beautiful gardens and welcoming indoor and outdoor spaces. Respite can provide family and whānau carers with time to rest, recharge, attend to commitments or take a holiday, with reassurance that their loved one is being cared for by an experienced and compassionate team. Respite stays are subject to bed availability, individual assessment and our ability to safely meet each person's care needs. Planned bookings are welcomed, and we encourage families to contact us early to discuss their requirements. |
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Updated: 13 Aug 2026 |
Suburbs/Districts/Towns Serviced
| Christchurch and wider Canterbury region. Enquiries from outside the immediate area are also welcome. |
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Updated: 13 Aug 2026 |
Meeting the needs of older people
| We recognise that every person living with dementia has their own life story, routines, preferences, abilities and needs. Our person-centred approach focuses on maintaining dignity, choice, independence and meaningful connection. We work closely with residents and their family/whānau to understand what matters to each person and to make their respite stay as comfortable and familiar as possible. Our team supports individual health, cultural, social, emotional and wellbeing needs and works alongside GPs, allied health and specialist services where required. |
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Updated: 13 Aug 2026 |
Additional Information
| Topic | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| What's included in your fees and what's not | Standard residential care services are provided in accordance with individual care needs and applicable funding arrangements. Additional charges may apply for premium accommodation, personal services or other optional items. Our team will clearly discuss fees, inclusions and any additional charges before admission. | |
| Staffing qualifications and details | Somerfield has an experienced and compassionate team of registered nurses, healthcare assistants, activities staff and support staff, supported by our clinical and management team. Staff receive ongoing education relevant to dementia care, health and safety, infection prevention, person-centred care and the changing needs of older people. | |
| Details about meals | Nutritious meals, snacks and refreshments are provided throughout the day, with menus designed to offer variety and enjoyment. We cater for individual dietary requirements, allergies, cultural preferences and modified-texture diets where required. Our team encourages residents to enjoy mealtimes in a relaxed, supportive and social environment. | |
| Visitor information | Family and whānau are an important part of life at Somerfield and are warmly welcomed. We encourage regular visits and meaningful involvement in residents’ lives and care. Our dedicated whānau room provides a comfortable, private space for families to spend time together. During palliative and end-of-life care, when death is considered imminent, extended visiting and overnight stays may be supported where appropriate, allowing family and whānau to remain close to their loved one. Visitors who are unwell are asked to postpone their visit to help protect our residents. | |
| Recreational opportunities | Our activities programme provides meaningful opportunities tailored to residents' interests, abilities and preferences. Activities include music, pet therapy, entertainment, social activities, gentle exercise, celebrations, outings and time in our beautiful secure gardens and courtyards. Residents are encouraged to participate in ways that are enjoyable and meaningful to them. | |
| Internet access | WiFi is available, helping residents stay connected with family and whānau and access online entertainment and communication. Staff can provide assistance where appropriate. | |
| Transport | Transport can be arranged for planned resident outings and activities. Families may be asked to assist with transport for some individual appointments, depending on circumstances. Please speak with our team regarding individual transport requirements and any applicable arrangements or charges. | |
| Associated Complexes | Somerfield Dementia Rest Home is proudly part of Heritage Lifecare’s Christchurch network, alongside Rosewood Lifecare, Brookhaven Retirement Village and Rest Home, George Manning Lifecare & Village, Hoon Hay House Dementia, Golden Age – Albarosa and Camellia Court, and Edith Cavell Lifecare and Village. Together, our Christchurch homes offer a range of aged care services, providing families and whānau with access to the wider Heritage Lifecare network as care needs change. | |
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Updated: 13 Aug 2026 |
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Where service is provided
| Status | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Service provided in own home | No | Somerfield provides care within our residential dementia care home. |
| Service Provided in aged residential care | Yes | Specialised dementia care, including respite and short-stay care, is provided within our secure, welcoming and homely residential environment. |
| Easy access | Yes | Our home provides easy and accessible entry, with resident-friendly indoor and outdoor areas designed to support safe movement and accessibility. |
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Updated: 13 Aug 2026 |
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Amenities & Comfort
| Feature | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| May Bring Own Furniture | Yes | Residents are encouraged to personalise their room with familiar furniture, photographs and treasured belongings, where safe and suitable. |
| Single Rooms | Yes | Comfortable private rooms that residents can personalise to create a familiar, homely space. |
| Ensuite | Yes | Ensuite facilities provide residents with additional privacy, comfort and convenience within their own room. |
| Phone Access In Own Room | No | Residents can maintain contact with family and whānau, with support where required. |
| Wifi | Yes | WiFi available to support communication, entertainment and connection with family and whānau. |
| Lounges/seating areas | Yes | Several comfortable smaller lounges and seating areas provide spaces for socialising, activities, quiet time and family visits. |
| LGBTQIA+ Friendly | Yes | We welcome and respect residents of all backgrounds and identities and are committed to providing inclusive, person-centred care. |
| Primary Health Funded Short Term Care | Yes | |
| Provide End of Life/Palliative Care | Yes | Compassionate end-of-life care supporting comfort, dignity and individual wishes, in partnership with family/whānau and healthcare professionals. |
| Palliative Care Contract | Yes | |
| Outings | Yes | Residents have opportunities to participate in planned outings and community activities according to individual interests and abilities. |
| Whānau Room | Yes | A dedicated whānau room provides a comfortable and private space for residents to spend meaningful time with family and loved ones. |
| Newsletter | Yes | Regular updates help residents and whānau stay connected with activities, events and life at Somerfield. |
| Policy for management of challenging behaviour | Yes | Policies and individualised care strategies support the safe and respectful management of behaviours associated with dementia. |
| Confused Residents | Yes | Specialised dementia care provided in a secure, supportive environment by an experienced care team. |
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Updated: 13 Aug 2026 |
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Respite, Carer Support or other Short Stay
| Respite, Carer Support or other Short Stay | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Respite | Yes | Specialised dementia respite care in a secure, homely environment, subject to bed availability and individual assessment. |
| Carer Support | Yes | Short-term care to support family/whānau carers to take a planned break, subject to eligibility, availability and assessment. |
| Other Short Stay Programme | Yes | Short stays may be considered depending on individual circumstances, care needs and bed availability. |
| High Care Needs | Yes | *Higher care needs can be considered following clinical assessment to ensure we can safely meet the person’s needs within our dementia service. |
| Subsidised | Yes | Funded respite may be available for eligible people. Please enquire regarding eligibility and booking requirements. |
| Private Paying | Yes | Private respite stays are welcomed, subject to assessment and bed availability. Please contact us regarding current rates and options. |
| Booking can be made in advance | Yes | Advance bookings are welcomed and encouraged, subject to availability and confirmation closer to the planned stay. |
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Updated: 13 Aug 2026 |
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Payment
| Payment | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| ACC Approved | Yes | ACC-funded care may be available for eligible residents, subject to assessment, approval and Somerfield's ability to meet individual care needs. |
| Payment required | Yes | Fees may apply depending on individual circumstances, funding eligibility, room choice and services required. |
| Subsidy may be available | Yes | Government-funded residential care or respite subsidies may be available for eligible residents. Please enquire for further information. |
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Updated: 13 Aug 2026 |
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What's New
Respite Enquiries WelcomePlanning a break or need short-term dementia care for a loved one? Somerfield welcomes enquiries for planned respite stays, subject to bed availability and individual assessment. Come and meet our friendly team and experience our warm, homely dementia community. |
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Updated: 13 Aug 2026 |
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