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Elms Court Life Care

At a glance
Vacancy
Yes
Name
Elms Court Life Care
Category
Hospital
Address
125 Withells Road
Avonhead
Christchurch 8042
Region
Canterbury
Phone
View Phone Number
Email
View Email Address
Web
Visit Website
Facebook
Find us on Facebook
Personnel
Manager
Sarah Trusler - (03) 358 9697
Owner
Steve Burke - 021 0418440
Clinical Manager
Sarah Trusler - 021 0292 4922
Other services
Photos
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Visitors as usual (but not if you're unwell or recently returned from overseas)
Elms Court Lifecare offers personalised care in a homely, family, friendly and flexible environment. We offer most levels of care including rest home, hospital, day-care and respite. We often receive compliments from our residents and their families about the kindness of our staff, and the “little extras” that they so willingly do. Many of our skilled and caring staff members have worked at Elms Court Life Care for a number of years.

We know each of our residents well and they know us well, as Elms Court is a small, intimate home, with up to 32 elders. Everything about Elms Court Life Care is comfortable and homely – from the large rooms, big enough for a sofa and coffee table, to our comfortable shared lounges. We are situated in the west of Christchurch, 10 minutes from the airport.

We know it is very important to offer choices and to really listen to what our residents and their families want. Recognising the individual needs of our residents and to promote a friendly and comfortable environment is an important part of our philosophy. Our food also receives a lot of compliments! We have a very talented chef who is famous for her home baking!

We would be delighted to have the opportunity to talk with you about our care. Please call our Manager, Sarah Trusler on (03) 3589697. Sarah can help you with any information about moving into a care home.
Service/Facility Details
Service/Facility Details
Detail Status
Contract with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Yes
Certification Yes
ORA Applies No

Updated: 12 Oct 2021

Bed and Vacancy Details
Bed and Vacancy Details
Detail Status
Approximate number of beds at this level of care 28
Vacancy Yes
Family owned and managed. Our rooms are warm and spacious and available in a small "homely" environment. Nutritious meals are prepared on site with a great activities programme. Phone Steve on 3589697 for any enquiries.
Impending vacancy Yes
Short stay considered Yes
Premium Accommodation Charges No
MOH Certification and Audit Report View MOH certification and audit report (opens in a new tab)
Extra admission requirements due to COVID-19 Please enquire

Updated: 31 Oct 2024

Testimonials
Testimonials
Thank you so much for your time this morning and showing me around Elms Court. Absolutely fabulous. What a very special place you have there. I was privileged enough to sit quietly for a while prior to us meeting and observe how kind and caring the staff were to the residents sitting in the lounge area. Your programmes are brilliant for entertaining and obviously the residents are kept as busy as they want to be with what's on!

“Thank you everyone for your love and care to our father, you did more for us than you could ever understand”

“Thank you all so much for the great care you showed for my mother. Also for the support and kindness to us in those last days”

“Many thanks for the support and friendship provided to our brother. You have a great team at Elms Court”

“A big thank you to you all for your wonderful care, love and support to Mum over the last 2 years. I know that some times it was difficult but your kindness and love was deeply appreciated and will always be remembered”

“Thank you for your support during this difficult time as Mum comes to terms with her loss of independence. I appreciate your ongoing concern and helpfulness”

“Thank you for the care I received from the staff at Elms Court they made my long respite stay enjoyable”

Updated: 12 Oct 2021

Personnel
Personnel
Type Hours Per Week Status Details
Registered Nurse Yes We have 24 hour Registered Nurse coverage. Our team of nurses have extensive experience in aged care.
Healthcare Assistants/Caregivers Yes Our Caregivers are highly experienced and work towards achieving NZQA qualifications in residential aged care. They are skilled to provide the best care for our residents.
Physiotherapist Yes Our physiotherapist visits fortnightly and when necessary.
Occupational Therapist Yes As required.
Social Worker (on site) Negotiable As required.
Diversional Therapist Yes As required.
Activities Co-ordinator Yes Our Activities staff are on site every day of the week and provide a range of interesting activies. Our programme incorporates one-to-one activities, group sessions and day trips (van has wheelchair hoist if reqd). Residents enjoy assisted walks to our local park and neighbourhood regularly.
Hairdresser Yes Our hairdresser visits fortnightly, providing a great service at a reasonable price.
Podiatrist Yes Comes every six weeks or as required.
Dietitian Yes All menus are approved by a dietitian. Our Dietitian is available for general advice and to assist with special nutritional needs.
Accredited Visitors Yes We have 2 volunteers to assist with the activities programme.
Kaumatua Yes We seek advice from Kaumatua especially regarding whakapapa, tikanga and whanau support.
Chaplain/Spiritual Advisor Yes The religious community is one of the largest source's of social support outside of the family and involvement in religious organizations and spiritual support is an essential part of delivering person centered care at Elms Court.
Other Personnel Yes Allied Health Professionals visit as needed and we have a GP who visits regularly and is also available on-call. Additionally, Elms Court offer services such as appointment transportation, pharmacy services and interpreter services.

Updated: 12 Oct 2021

Specialities or Areas of Expertise
Specialities or Areas of Expertise
Specialities or Areas of Expertise Status Details
Oxygen Management Yes We have registered nurses on duty 24 hours a day who can provide this level of care.
Gastronomy/Nasogastric Management Yes We will provide referrals to other services as required.
Bariatric (Care of the very overweight) Yes We have large rooms that enable us provide cares more then adequately.
Palliative Care (Contracted) Yes Individual palliative care funding may be available.
End of Life/Palliative Care Yes We manage residents needs and provide a range of products with visits by community nurse specialists on request.
Dialysis Yes We are able to provide continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. We also provide support for those requiring haemodialysis.
Wound Care Yes We work together with GP's and specialist wound management nurses as required.
Diabetic Care Yes We are able to care for all levels of diabetes and our menu has a range of options for those who need a special diet.
Continence Advice Yes We manage residents needs and provide a range of continence products with visits by community nurse specialist on request.
Stomal Therapy Yes We manage residents needs and provide a range of products with visits by community nurse specialist on request.
Stroke Rehabilitation Yes We provide support for residents who have had a stroke. This may include physiotherapy and special diet options.
ACC Rehabilitation Yes We are able to offer assistance to people who require ACC rehabilitation.
Tracheotomy Care Yes Your special needs can be discussed prior to admission.
Spinal Injuries Care Yes Your special needs can be discussed prior to admission.
Infection Control Yes We meet all infection control standards.
Surgical Followup Yes We are able to care for people following surgery and provide a range of convalescent care options.
Psychiatric Care Yes We will provide referrals to other services as required.
Community Health Yes We link with community health professionals as required.
Clinical Management Yes Clinical Manager is available 5 days per week and always on call. Registered Nurses work 24/7.
Other Specialties Yes Available as required.

Updated: 12 Oct 2021

Respite, Carer Support or other Short Stay
Respite, Carer Support or other Short Stay
Respite, Carer Support or other Short Stay Status Details
Respite Yes Available for most levels of care.
Carer Support Yes
Other Short Stay Programme Yes We have respite or our day programme options available
High Care Needs Yes Discuss with our clinical team to see if we can asssist
Subsidised Yes
Private Paying Yes
Booking can be made in advance Yes Depending on bed availability

Updated: 12 Oct 2021

Features
Features
Feature Status Details
May Bring Own Furniture Yes Rooms are fully furnished and residents are welcome to personalise their rooms. We understand the importance of making it feel like home.
Single Rooms Yes Rooms are equipped with a nurse call system, personal heater, and safety grab rails.
Rooms suitable for a couple Yes Our large rooms can accommodate couples if required.
Ensuite Yes One room with an ensuite. Our shared bathrooms are warm, light, are easily accessible and spacious.
Alcohol Permitted Yes Monitored with GP guidance.
Pets In Residence Yes One resident has a cat, staff often bring their dogs in for the day when they are on shift and the owner brings his Bernese Mountain Dog to visit :) So yes, we love animals!
Negotiate To Bring Own Pet Yes Absolutely we understand that pets are part of your family!
Phone Access In Own Room Yes We have a residents phone line. Residents are also able to install there own phone line should they want.
Wifi Yes Free Wifi through out the whole complex and surrounds.
Resident can adjust heating in own room Yes We have underfloor heating that can be adjusted by staff if required/requested.
Cater for under 65 yrs with Disability Yes Absolutely.
Lounges/seating areas Yes 2 large communal lounges and one dining room. Equipped with comfortable seating, the lounges have a stereo system, televisions with Freeview TV, and DVD players. The area is large enough for residents to run meetings, invite guests and partake in a variety of organised functions.
Gay / LGBT IQ Friendly Yes A no discrimination policy is in place to provide a friendly and caring space for residents.
Primary Health Funded Short Term Care Yes You may qualify for Primary Options for Acute Care Funding. Ask your GP for details.
Provide End of Life/Palliative Care Yes It is our privilege to care for people nearing the end of their life. We work closely with GP's, Hospice and families to provide this care. Our small size and permanent, experienced staff enables us to provide quality, personal care at this time.
Palliative Care Contract Yes Individual funding may be available. Ask your GP or the hospital for more details.
Day Programme for day stay clients Yes It is possible for people to join us during the day and return home at night.
Outings Yes As part of the activities program, regular trips are provided to the local community. These can include shopping, sight seeing and picnics.
Whānau Room Yes We have areas available where residents and their families can spend quiet time together.
Māori Kaupapa Yes We respect all cultures.
Residents Committee Yes We have a care homes residents group with regular meetings.
Family Committee Yes Combined with the residents committee above.
Newsletter Yes Check out up to date happenings on our Facebook page.
Policy for management of challenging behaviour Yes Our staff are trained to recognise and manage a range of behaviours that residents may have.
Confused Residents Yes Our staff are trained to recognise and manage a range of behaviours that residents may have. This may include residents who become confused.
Smoking Permitted Yes Smoking for residents is permitted in the designated area outside.
Semi-Secure Yes

Updated: 12 Oct 2021

Special Features
Special Features
Elms Court Lifecare offers all the benefits of a care facility, including entertainment, activities and companionship. The site provides separate dining room and lounge facilities. The facility is fitted with accessibility ramps and safety grab rails, wide corridors, and smoke detectors with water sprinklers.

Situated in Avonhead, Elms Court offers a magnificent landscaped garden with BBQ area and a courtyard for quiet and peaceful sitting and relaxing. We take pride in being warm and friendly and have become renowned for our family like atmosphere.

Updated: 12 Oct 2021

Interests & Activities
Interests & Activities
Elms Court has an extensive repertoire of activities and events, aimed at keeping the body and mind stimulated. Our Activity Coordinators focuses on designing programmes for each individual at all levels of ability, to promote independence and creative expression.

We provide a library service and we also stream movies and documentaries from Netflix, Amazon Prime, You Tube and Neon. Entertainers form a regular part of our programme. Here are just some of the activities and interests of residents which arise on a regular basis:

Board Games, Cooking, Crosswords & Quizzes, Indoor Bowls, Crafts, Music, Parties, Happy Hour, Newspaper Reading, Art and Card games.

There is also active involvement in community events. Outings are an ongoing part of the activities programme and often include stopping somewhere for coffee.

Updated: 12 Oct 2021

Additional Information
Additional Information
Topic Details
What's included in your fees and what's not Almost everything is included in your fees. Typical things that might not be are haircuts, podiatry (unless prescribed by a Dr), personal items and shopping items (we provide in home shopping for some groceries/snacks). A government subsidy may be available for part or all of your care.
Staffing qualifications and details Elms Court Life Care meets and exceeds all recommended staffing levels for residential care. Our staff are all very friendly, well training and have the time to get to really know our elders.
Details about meals Meals are prepared on site. Our menus are dietitian approved and cater to individual preferences and requirements.
Associated Complexes Elms Court Rest Home in Opawa and Elms Court Retirement Village in Upper Riccarton.

Updated: 12 Oct 2021

Languages Spoken
Languages Spoken
Language Status Details
Chinese Yes Chinese Staff
Chinese dialect Yes Chinese Staff
English Yes
Fijian Yes Fijian staff
Fijian Indian Yes Fijian Indian staff
Filipino Yes Filipino staff
Hindi Yes Indian staff
Interpreter Yes Able to access anytime
Mandarin Yes
Punjabi Yes
Russian Yes
Samoan Yes Samoan staff
Tongan Yes Tongan staff
Vietnamese Yes Vietnamese Staff

Updated: 12 Oct 2022

Religious/Spiritual Affiliations
Religious/Spiritual Affiliations
Religious/Spiritual Affiliations Status Details
Anglican Yes
Baha'i No can be arranged on request
Baptist Yes
Brethren No can be arranged on request
Buddhist No can be arranged on request
Christian Yes
Denominations/Faiths represented Yes We are able to accommodate our residents' spiritual needs as requested. A spiritual advisor, chaplaincy and church services are available.
Hindu No can be arranged on request
Inter denominational Yes
Muslim No Can be arranged on request
Methodist No can be arranged on request
Roman Catholic Yes
Salvation Army Yes

Updated: 12 Oct 2021

Distances
Distances
Location Distance Details
Public Transport 0.10 Km Bus stop across the road.
Shops 0.40 Km Avonhead Mall is only about 400 metres away.
Mall 0.40 Km Avonhead Mall is only about 400 metres away.
Parks 0.10 Km Crosbie Park is about 100 metres away.
Library 1.00 Km Upper Riccarton

Updated: 12 Oct 2021

Credentials & Membership
Credentials & Membership
Credentials & Membership RC Status Details
National Certificate in Diversional Therapy Yes
Aged Care Association New Zealand (ACA) Yes
The Eden Alternative Yes Manager and owner has completed Eden Alternative course and practices many of their values.
Aged Care Association New Zealand (ACA)

Updated: 12 Oct 2021


The Ministry of Health conducts regular audits of Residential Care Facilities. They can be found HERE.