Eldernet Community

We’re proud to introduce our newly opened Dementia care unit.

thoughtfully designed to complement our welcoming Rest Home. At the heart of our care is trust — built through respectful, professional support from our dedicated team, who are deeply committed to the wellbeing of every resident.

WHEN IS IT TIME?

As a spouse or primary caregiver, you are intimately familiar with your loved one's daily rhythms, habits, and capabilities. This close connection often means you're the first to notice subtle changes. Yet, the moment of acknowledging that your loved one might need more support than you can provide, or more than they're currently receiving, can be incredibly difficult. It's often accompanied by a swirl of emotions: worry, sadness, guilt, and even a sense of being overwhelmed.

This isn't a sign of failure on your part, but rather a courageous recognition of evolving needs. In New Zealand, informal caregivers like you form the backbone of our health system, with around 480,000 people providing regular unpaid care for someone with an illness or disability. Many spouses provide care for their partners, and research from organisations like Carers NZ shows that caregivers often experience reduced health-related quality of life, particularly in mental health and social functioning domains. Recognising when to seek additional help is crucial not just for your loved one, but for your own well-being too.

Key Signs Your Loved One May Need More Support

Observing a cluster of these signs, rather than just one, often indicates a growing need for additional assistance:

1. Decline in Personal Care and Hygiene:

• What you might see: Unkempt hair, body odour, wearing the same clothes repeatedly, difficulty bathing, dressing, or grooming themselves, neglected oral hygiene.
• Why it's a concern: It can indicate physical limitations, memory issues, depression, or a fear of falling during hygiene tasks.

2. Changes in Home Environment & Safety:

• What you might see: A noticeable decline in household cleanliness, spoiled food in the fridge, unpaid bills piling up, missed appointments, signs of mismanaged medications (e.g., incorrect doses, missed pills, bottles running out too soon or too late).
• Why it's a concern: These can point to cognitive decline, reduced mobility making household tasks difficult, or an inability to manage complex administrative duties. Safety hazards like cluttered pathways or burnt pots on the stove are immediate red flags.

3. Mobility and Fall Concerns:

• What you might see: Unexplained bruises, difficulty getting up from chairs, shuffling gait, frequent trips or near-falls, reluctance to move around the house or leave it.
• Why it's a concern: Reduced mobility significantly increases the risk of serious injury. Falls are a leading cause of injury and hospitalisation among older New Zealanders. Early intervention can prevent severe consequences.

4. Nutritional Changes:

• What you might see: Significant weight loss or gain, lack of fresh food in the fridge, reliance on processed or easily prepared foods, forgetting to eat meals, difficulty chewing or swallowing.
• Why it's a concern: Poor nutrition can lead to fatigue, weakened immune systems, and exacerbate existing health conditions.

5. Cognitive and Behavioural Shifts:

• What you might see: Increased forgetfulness (beyond normal aging), confusion, difficulty following conversations, getting lost in familiar places, changes in mood (increased irritability, withdrawal, depression), paranoia, or unusual behaviours.
• Why it's a concern: These signs often indicate progressing dementia or other neurological conditions, making independent living unsafe. A New Zealand study found that caregiver distress was three times more likely among those supporting someone with cognitive impairment or dementia.

6. Caregiver Strain (Your Own Experience):

• What you might feel: Chronic exhaustion, increased stress, anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping, withdrawing from your own social life, resentment, or feeling constantly overwhelmed.
• Why it's a concern: Your well-being directly impacts your ability to provide care. Ignoring these signs can lead to caregiver burnout, which in turn can lead to earlier admission to residential care for your loved one. Research using New Zealand's interRAI data found that distress was reported by nearly 40% of informal caregivers and was significantly associated with care recipients' earlier admission into aged residential care.

What It Means for You (and Them)

Acknowledging these signs is not about giving up, but about making a proactive, loving choice. It means recognising that:

• Their Safety is Paramount: Bringing in professional support ensures your loved one is safe, even when you cannot be there.
• Their Quality of Life Can Improve: Expert assistance with daily tasks can restore dignity, promote better hygiene, and ensure proper nutrition and medication management, leading to a higher quality of life in their own home.
• Your Relationship Can Be Reclaimed: By sharing the practical burden, you're freed up to be more of a spouse, child, or friend, focusing on connection and companionship rather than just the tasks of care.
• Your Own Health Matters: It's an act of self-preservation, ensuring you have the energy and mental well-being to continue being a supportive presence for years to come.

How Home Support North Steps In

At Home Support North, we understand that this is a deeply personal and often difficult decision. Our role is to be your partner, offering flexible, compassionate, and professional home support that adapts to your loved one's evolving needs.

Whether it's assistance with personal care, household tasks, medication prompts, or simply companionship, our team can provide the additional support that allows your loved one to remain safely and comfortably in their own home, while also lightening your load. We can help you navigate the Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) process and discuss how our services can provide the right level of care for your unique situation.

Recognising "when it's time" is a brave step. It's a commitment to ensuring the best possible quality of life for your loved one and to protecting your own capacity to care with love and resilience.

• Library Visit- fortnightly 1^st and 3^rd week
• Weekly Communion- Saturday morning [Catholic]
• Shopping – fortnightly 2^nd week and 4^th week
• Pastoral Visits-
• 3^rd Thursday of the month- at 2pm in Upland Library [Anglican]
• 4th Thursday of the month -at 2pm in Upland Library [Catholic]
• Drum Fit Class- 4^th Wednesday of the month- in the Atrium
• Daily exercise class - chair yoga

Due to an incredible response from Seniors in Auckland and Wellington, Seniors at Home is expanding to new areas - Tauranga and Kerikeri have been added in June.

More areas coming soon - contact us to see if we are available in your region. If we are not yet, we will be!

Seniors at Home Limited is established in providing exceptional service, and exists to ‘Maintain the Independence’ of Seniors in their own homes through up-front and fair costs, quality work, and attention to detail. It really is that simple.

We are the only company which focuses solely on the needs of Seniors in home maintenance, and we are so proud of that. We care deeply about Seniors being treated with respect, dignity, and transparency, living our values of trust, simplicity, and making it happen.

Each of our lead tradespeople are Ministry of Justice checked, first-aid and Dementia-Friendly trained, upskilled in communication and quality workmanship, and personally vetted by our Founders to ensure the highest standards of integrity and delivery.

We offer one-off repair, maintenance, and renovation jobs of all sizes, through to an annual subscription service that allows Seniors to pay monthly instalments that provide up to $636 of extra value over the year.

Unique to Seniors at Home, we provide a customised up-to 10-year maintenance plan, so Senior home owners have confidence their home is looked after and continues to meet their needs as they age. Our plans are designed to spread costs out over time and reduce the chances of unexpected bills - we know how important this is for our customers with pensions.

’Seniors at Home is the only company, the only phone number, the only people you’ll ever need to maintain your independence at home - leaving you to enjoy your life as you planned it!'

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. However, sensory input is a fundamental part of human life at all ages. We all engage in sensory activities daily—often without realising that they help us regulate our emotions, focus, and overall well-being.

Why do we associate sensory with children?

Children are naturally more expressive in their sensory needs. A child might seek movement by jumping on a trampoline, crave deep pressure through hugs, or feel overwhelmed by loud noises in a crowded place. Because sensory needs are more obvious in childhood to those living or working with them, interventions such as sensory-friendly classrooms, therapy swings, or fidget toys are widely recognised as tools for kids. But what happens when kids grow up?

How Adults use Sensory Input for Regulation

Even if we don’t think about it, we constantly seek out sensory experiences to help us stay balanced. Here are some common ways people regulate through sensory input:

• Deep Pressure & Weighted Input: Many people wrap themselves in a heavy blanket at night to sleep better or seek out a firm hug when feeling overwhelmed. Some even enjoy the pressure of compression clothing or firm handshakes, which provide grounding sensations.
• Movement & Vestibular Input Rocking in a chair, stretching after sitting too long, pacing while on the phone, or even going for a run are all ways adults regulate through movement.
• Oral Sensory Input: Chewing gum, sipping a warm drink, eating crunchy snacks, or even biting nails are ways we engage with oral sensory input to focus or self-soothe.
• Tactile Sensory Input: Rubbing soft fabrics, playing with stress balls, clicking pens, or touching smooth stones can help regulate the nervous system. Many people wear comfortable clothing that satisfies their need for soft or breathable textures.
• Auditory & Visual Sensory Input: Listening to music, using noise-cancelling headphones, dimming the lights, or watching calming videos are ways people manage their auditory and visual environment to maintain comfort and focus.

Recognising Sensory Needs for a Better Life

By understanding that sensory input isn’t just for children, we can better support ourselves and others in maintaining emotional and physical well-being. The next time you catch yourself rocking in a chair, squeezing a pillow, or reaching for a stress ball, recognise that your body is seeking sensory input. Paying attention to what feels good or overwhelming can help you create a sensory-friendly environment that supports your daily life.

Sensory needs don’t disappear with age. They simply become less obvious to observers. But once we recognise them, we can use them to our advantage at every stage of life. Sensory regulation is a lifelong need for all.

Feel free to contact us on 0800 34 34 38 for further information or sales@sensorycorner.co.nz.

Products ideas for seniors

Use "ELDERNET10" at checkout and enjoy $10 off when you spend $50 or more on our site - Exclusive to the Eldernet family!

National Volunteers Week

Whiria te tangata – weaving the people together. This year’s theme celebrates the power of volunteering to bring people together. Volunteering weaves us together, strengthening the fabric of our communities for a stronger, more inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand. We are so grateful to the volunteers at cbm New Zealand, who work behind the scenes in so many different ways.

Learn how you can volunteer for cbm (Christian Blind Mission)…

Empower You provides specialist health care services across Taranaki, supporting individuals and their whānau with compassionate, expert care. We believe in empowerment, helping people build strength and achieve the highest quality of life. More than just care, we listen, we understand, and we make a difference.

Do not hesitate to reach out to see how we can support you or your loved ones.

Are you an older person considering moving house in Christchurch. If its to downsize, move to a retirement village or even into a care home Michelle is here to help. Here's a bit about one of her recent adventures..

I had the privilege of meeting Yvonne and her daughter Lisa. Yvonne had lived in her home for 40years and wanted to move closer to her daughter in Ashburton.

After working together and going through a series of 'processes' as a team, I can proudly say Yvonne moved into her new flat in Ashburton and is enjoying being closer to her daughter..

I can't put into word the warm feeling it gives me, to be a part of their journey. I hope you'll let me be a part of yours one day too.

Yours faithfully,
Michelle Gledhill

Licensed Salesperson | Raine&Horne Real Estate Ltd Licensed REA (2008)

Once you get to my www.12U.co.nz website (changing to www.12umobility.co.nz June 2025) you will see I am expanding the ranging. In the 8 or 9 years 1.2.U Mobility has been operational I am 'honing' ranging using my experience to 'bring the bling'!

Two more containers of stock arriving. The first with more of our fantastic rigid XL and XLT mobility scooters docks 19th June. Then we have another container with electric wheelchairs and new model lightweight fold-up mobility scooters docking 11th July.

It's wonderful to hear about the opening of Rata Park's Young Persons with Disability (YPD) Unit in March 2025. This unit provides specialized care for young adults with physical and cognitive support needs, ensuring they receive the attention and assistance they require.

Francis's outing to see his favorite New Zealand band is a great example of how Rata Park is committed to providing a purposeful and fulfilling life for its young residents. These activities and experiences are essential for their well-being and happiness.

If you have any more details or questions about Rata Park, feel free to share!

Face book social media now in place

Free Wifi on site

"I'd love to help my parents into their new home"

Our aging population - Safe, Warm and Connected?

Statistics New Zealand forecasts that New Zealand's population is likely to hit 6 million in the next 50 years, up from 4.7 million now. They also forecast that the number of people aged 65+ is likely to triple from 650,000 now to 1.8 million. As the NZ Building Act requires that construction has to have a minimum life of 50 years it seems logical that we should be turning our attention to constructing large numbers of homes to meet the needs of the aging population.

An increase in the overall population of 1.3 million will require 481,000 new homes at an average of 2.7 people per dwelling. Over 50 years this will require approximately 9500 homes per year. Over that period the number of people in homes aged 65+ increases by over 190% to 27% of the population.

Since October 2011 the construction industry in NZ has been building at an average rate of 1800 homes per month or 21,600 per year.

In order to keep up with the projected demand we need to construct 5800 homes for people over the age of 65 every year for the next 50 years.

Over the period since October 2010 retirement village units have been built at an average of 1300 per year - leaving a shortfall of 4500 retirement style homes per year.

We are not the only ones who believe that there is a real and compelling need to create specifically designed homes in the community that meet the needs of our aging population as an alternative to retirement village communities.

These homes will need to be significantly better than the average home being built in NZ today. The type, features and quality of construction has not changed significantly in the last 20 years.

Its time to "move on".

The automotive industry is a good example of continuous development and improvement - your transport is most likely your second biggest purchase after your home but what a difference there is in how the industry treats you as a customer!

Whether you consider automobiles, airplanes, buses, bicycles, or trains; as technology has advanced, they have all made significant improvements. Each of these modes of transport has continued an ongoing process of development to ensure that they are safer to use, are more energy efficient and respond to your requirements. Most people now demand that their means of transport is the best available to them.

We have now brought the same emphasis on continuous improvement to the development and construction of housing for all ages in New Zealand. Our LifetimeVillas incorporate a range of off the shelf standard features and options that ensure that even the "base model" is significantly more aligned to satisfying your requirements than the average home being built in NZ today.

Safety in the home can generally be directly linked to how easy is it to live in and how the day to day needs of the user have been incorporated. Internationally this focus is known as universal design (and in NZ the Lifemark represents these principles too). Our homes have considered how you live, the way you interact with the features in the home and by design ensure that the features and components will assist you in your daily lives.

Efficiency covers a wide spectrum. We have chosen to focus on the use of energy in the home as a means to create lower cost housing - at build time and over its life cycle. The balance between size and specification is critical. The larger the home the more it will cost to build and operate. We provide solar photo-voltaic panels (PV) to provide energy to the home (affordable storage is not far away - it could be in your car soon!), but providing energy is only the start. How you contain it within the building is important too (orientation, glazing and insulation are critical) so we recommend using structural insulated panel (SIP) systems and insulated floors. The fittings and appliances in the building can also have a major effect on the long term running costs; so LED lighting, efficient (inverter) appliances and high efficiency heat pumps are provided.

Thirdly to ensure that the home works for you over time it needs to respond to your needs. This can be accomplished by using a range of technologies that can be introduced and scaled to suit as your needs change. Our base specification includes all of the pre wiring to ensure that you are ready to connect, with a range of easy upgrades to tailor your home for your future requirements.

So for a home that finally catches up to the 21st century look no further than a LifetimeVilla by the Procerto Group.

Celebrate with Strength, Style, and Support!

This King’s Birthday, we’re rolling out the royal treatment with 10% OFF our trusted range of Mod Equip Walking Frames and Rollators — including favourites like the Tui Rollator and Kea Upright Rollator.

Whether you're strolling through the park or navigating daily life, these lightweight, stylish, and ergonomic mobility aids are designed to help you stay active and independent — with confidence.

What’s Included:
Mod Equip - Tui Rollator
Mod Equip - Kea Upright Rollator

Hurry! Offer ends 06 June 2025

Shop or Get in Touch:
Shop Online Now
Visit us: 739A Great South Road, Penrose
Call: 09 869 6190
Email: equipment@aucklandhealthservices.co.nz

All bookings @ Aroha House are currently 1month in advance contact us soon before winter sets in - we are currently accepting bookings from end of July 25

Purchase a gift voucher for your loved one to experience our service! In a world that rushes by too fast, we like to focus on creating experiences with our clients. It's important to take time to appreciate the journey and savour the simple things in life that help us all to feel good. We aim to leave a smile on every client's face after a trip. Pre-bookings required.

We are currently working on a project to enhance our outdoor environment. The staff are working with residents to design and establish a sensory garden.

Mothers' Day 2025, celebrated with High Tea and flowers.

We have a beautiful Care Suite Staged and available to view.

What's Happening ...

• Library Visit- fortnightly 1^st and 3^rd week
• Weekly Communion- Saturday morning [Catholic]
• Shopping – fortnightly 2^nd week and 4^th week
• Pastoral Visits-
• 3^rd Thursday of the month- at 2pm in Upland Library [Anglican]
• 4th Thursday of the month -at 2pm in Upland Library [Catholic]
• Drum Fit Class- 4^th Wednesday of the month- in the Atrium
• Daily exercise class - chair yoga

We are excited to announce that Healthcare New Zealand has been voted New Zealand's most trusted homecare brand in the Trusted Brand 2025 awards. This recognition has been achieved in the highly competitive category of “Home Health Care”. This is the first year this category has been included in the awards.

As part of the Trusted Brands annual awards, Readers Digest surveys over 2000 New Zealanders to gauge their experiences with brands and services. As Readers Digest notes:

"Trust is that intangible quality that signals reliability and integrity. Whether it is a product or service, trust is what reassures us that we are making the right choice". 

This recognition highlights Healthcare New Zealand’s commitment to high-quality care that supports New Zealanders to live their best lives. 

These achievements would never have been possible without the support workers, nurses, allied health professionals, and office-based staff who work tirelessly each day to care for the people we support. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and compassion displayed daily by our people.

Join the Coronation Lodge Family!

Looking for a warm, friendly place where care feels like home? We’ve got vacancies waiting just for you!

No hidden fees—just genuine care, good vibes, and plenty of smiles.

Come and see why life’s better with us! Contact us today to learn more.

Being a welfare guardian for a parent or adult isn’t always straightforward, but you're not alone! This powerful seminar is here to back you up with practical knowledge, expert insight, and a community that understands your journey.

Whether you're navigating healthcare decisions, supporting independence, or figuring out your legal role, we've got your back. Our sessions are relaxed, real, and packed with useful info to help you feel confident and supported. You’re doing amazing work - let’s make it easier together.

Thursday 12^th June 6pm – 8pm

22 Foster Street

$25 pp – light kai provided

RSVP to iona.rutherford@aliscare.co.nz

We have what is called the "walking bus", we take residents outside with our staff and go for featured walks around the village so they can see the joy of the gardens and trees. Enjoying the sunshine as much as possible. Fantastic van trips to all sorts of places for example: picnics, at the beach, garden adventures, toy factory visits, along with this we have pet visits yes including a pony such joy this brings to our residents.

Duart is constantly upgrading our facilities, rooms and activities programs. We welcome feedback from our residents and their families to continue to provide excellent service and a wonderful quality of life.