It can be daunting choosing a new place to live when you are feeling vulnerable, frail, or have complicating medical conditions – but know there are options, and the final decision should be yours. Here, you’ll find information about the different care options available in most residential care facilities in New Zealand (including rest homes, dementia and hospital level care), how care is paid for, and provide an insight into what you can expect from living in a care home.
Residential care, care/rest homes
10 steps to finding the best care home for you
1. Get an assessment - know what level of care you need Your assessment will have indicated your eligibility for care. Make sure you know what level of care you need. In New Zealand the interRAI assessment is used to determine your needs. 2. Find out what your options are...
11 steps to moving to residential care
The person responsible for coordinating your services will give you your Assessment Certificate and if relevant they will give you information on the Residential Care Subsidy, which you can find information on here. Make sure you know what type/level of care you require e.g. rest home, dementia, hospital, specialist hospital....
Can couples move into a New Zealand care home together?
Although it is more common for one person to be assessed as needing residential care, couples can and do move into a care home together. In fact, some care homes have rooms specifically suited to couples. On Eldernet , you can filter search results by ‘Rooms suitable for a couple’...
Can I move to a rest home now?
To move into a rest home or care home in New Zealand you will need to have an assessment, known as interRAI. This determines whether you need this care and whether you meet the eligibility criteria. The criteria are high and include a financial means assessment. You need to have...
Can I transfer to a care home in a different region?
You can transfer to a rest home in another region of New Zealand if you choose to, or you may have to transfer if your care needs change. Before you transfer, you or someone from your current residential facility need to contact your local NASC team so that they can...
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Can I trial a care home or rest home before moving in?
Yes, you may try out a care home (often called a rest home ) before making a commitment. While you will have to pay for this yourself (you should have had an assessment first) you’ll probably find it’s money well spent. A month usually gives you enough time to assess...
Can't find a standard rest home room? The 10km rule helps
If your first choice of care home only has a room available that attracts extra fees (i.e. premium fees) and if you don’t want to or cannot pay an extra fee, the following applies: If there is a vacancy for a standard room at another home within a 10km radius...
Do I need a Care Plan to move into rest home?
No you don't need a Care Plan to move into a care home but one will be developed with you either before or on your arrival. A Care Plan details how care is to be delivered to a resident when moving to a rest home. It is created following an...
How are rest homes different to retirement villages?
Rest homes and retirement villages are terms that are often used incorrectly and interchangeably which causes confusion. Not only do they serve different purposes they are governed by different legislation and regulations. To many people, the word rest home includes ANY facility where older people live and where they can...
How can I gain entry to a rest home or hospital?
Entry to residential care is managed by a process known as Needs Assessment 1) To begin this process you either need to talk to your doctor about the issues that you are having or you can contact the agency responsible for managing assessments (known as NASC or sometimes Care Co-ordination)...
How do I find a care home that has standard rooms?
Use the Eldernet Vacancy Status Report for your region: select the correct region AND your required level of care; select View in table (located on the right side of your screen); look for care homes showing a vacancy from the Vacant Beds column and No and Some from the '...
How do I find a dementia care home in New Zealand?
Use the Eldernet site where each level of care i.e., rest home, dementia, hospital and specialist hospital (psychogeriatric) care in Aotearoa New Zealand is shown. See: dementia level of care Select your region and find the facility that best meets your needs. If you urgently need to find a dementia...
How do I find a facility with hospital level of care in NZ?
Use the Eldernet site where each level of care i.e., rest home, dementia, hospital and specialist hospital (psychogeriatric) care in Aotearoa New Zealand is identified. Select hospital level of care and find the facility that best meets your needs. If you urgently need to find a hospital provider that has...
How do I find psychogeriatric care in New Zealand?
All psychogeriatric facilities in Aotearoa New Zealand are listed on the Eldernet site. Find vacancies in these facilities HERE Make sure to select your region or zoom into your area on the map. For more information about residential care For: an overview of residential care For: details of all residential...
How do I find rest home care in New Zealand?
Use the Eldernet site where each level of care i.e., rest home, dementia, hospital and specialist hospital (psychogeriatric) care in Aotearoa New Zealand is shown. For rest home level of care SEE: rest home level of care Select your region and find the facility that best meets your needs. If...
How to find a good care home – Age UK (Note: not NZ checklist)
How to safely visit care homes in times of COVID outbreaks
All care homes have policies around such events. They are guided by New Zealand health authorities. Social connection and physical contact with whānau are fundamental to the health and wellbeing of those in aged residential care (ARC). Care providers have policies in place that enable safe visiting, social activities and...
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I want to read reviews of rest homes
We are sorry but we don't provide reviews of rest home/care homes for very good reasons. The Ministry Of Health certifies all care homes in New Zealand. If care homes do not meet the required certification standards they are unable to operate. Certification periods range from 60 months (very few...
I'm not happy. Can I transfer to a different rest home?
Remember, a care home (rest home) is your home; just like any home you live in, you can choose to move if you wish. The first step is to contact your local Needs Assessment Coordination Service (NASC) to let them know you want to transfer. They may do another interRAI...
Is a rest home and care home the same thing?
In New Zealand, a rest home is called a care home or residential care home. A rest home is a name people commonly use to mean a place where a person can live and get long term nursing care. Strictly speaking, a rest home is just one type of care...
Is a rest home, care home, and residential care the same?
The short answer is, yes -sort of – but not quite. Care homes and residential care are generic terms which refer to a type of service i.e., a home where care is provided for those who require it. A rest home applies more specifically to a type/level of care within...
Learn about Rest Home/Care home Certification & Audits
The Ministry of Health website's Rest home certification and audits section shows which facilities are certified to deliver specific types or levels of care. The longest period given is five years. A shorter period usually indicates that the auditors require additional work to be done in order to meet full...
My children think I should go into care but I don't agree
It is not easy hearing that others want you to make a potentially life changing decision. It is likely that there has been an event or events that have led to this situation. Showing yourself to be willing to listen to all perspectives and medical advice before deciding what to...
My chosen rest home hasn't got any vacancies. What can I do?
You can contact the home and ask to go on a waiting list. Start to build a rapport with the home and if possible, give some reasons for why this is your first choice of home. In the meantime, make alternative arrangements with a care home elsewhere. You can move...
Need information about moving into a rest home?
You will find all the information you need here on the Eldernet site including, the process for accessing this service and a listing for every rest home or care home in the country. Eldernet Residential Care gives older people and those supporting them free, unbiased, and comprehensive information about moving...
New resources to navigate the residential care complaints process. Ministry of Health 2019
Understanding residential care or rest home process
Check the Knowledge Lab for comprehensive information about; Levels of care The Residential Care Subsidy Financial means assessment for a Residential Care Subsidy Premium rooms Dual use rooms Care suites The 10km rule and much more.
Welcome to my home - Health Quality & Safety Commission
What are levels of care in New Zealand?
What are levels of care in New Zealand? Levels of care are essentially types of care. Currently there are four ‘levels of care’ in New Zealand: Rest Home Those who require this level of care usually have some ability to get about on their own or with some help. They...
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What is a dual use room or swing bed?
Dual use beds or rooms are also known as swing beds. They allow for various levels of care e.g., rest home or hospital, to be provided in the same room. For those concerned about having to move rooms if their needs change, a dual use/swing bed room may be the...
What is a standard rest home/care home room?
Standard rooms and services are those that are covered by the Age Related Residential Care Agreement (ARRC). All Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (formerly District Health Boards) contracted providers must meet the requirements of this agreement (currently all residential care providers are contracted in New Zealand/Aotearoa). Examples of...
What is Care Association New Zealand (CANZ)?
CANZ is the abbreviation for the Care Association New Zealand. CANZ is the smaller of the two professional agencies which represent providers of Aged Residential Care in New Zealand (that is, rest homes, dementia care home, and aged care hospitals). These providers pay a membership fee to belong to the...
What is D3 level of care?
Levels of care are essentially types of residential care in New Zealand for older adults. D3 is an older term that may still be used in parts of the South Island to refer to dementia level of care. Currently there are four ‘levels of care’ in NZ. They are Rest...
What is D6 level of care?
Levels of care are essentially types of residential care in New Zealand for older adults. D6 is an older term that may still be used in parts of the South Island to refer to Psychogeriatric Specialist Hospital level of care. Currently there are four ‘levels of care’ in NZ. They...
What is Hospital Care in New Zealand?
Hospital care (Aged Residential Care) is provided for those who have a significant disability and medical concerns. Most require the assistance of two people to move about. This type of hospital care is different to services provided at New Zealand's public hospitals. Find hospital level of care for older people...
What is premium accommodation or a premium bed?
Premium accommodation is that which is over and above the ARRC agreement requirements so is not a standard room. It attracts additional daily costs of $5 to $100 plus. These services may include fixed features (such as an ensuite, tea/coffee making area or a view for example) and/or features associated...
What is Psychogeriatric Care in New Zealand?
Specialist Hospital/Psychogeriatric Care is a type of care designed for people with a mental health or dementia disorder who require a high level of nursing care and management of challenging behaviour. They therefore require a secure environment and the skills of staff trained in psychogeriatric care. Psychogeriatric care is care...
What is rest home care in New Zealand?
People who require a rest home level of care in New Zealand usually have some ability to get about on their own or with someone helping them. They require some assistance with personal care and general day to day activities. Many have a degree of memory loss. Some people who...
What is the 10 kilometre rule?
The 10km rule is a provision or formula for finding a rest home or care home room where there are no additional accommodation fees and where usual attempts to find such a room have been unsuccessful. If your first choice of care home only has a room available that attracts...
What is the Aged Care Association?
ACA is the abbreviation for the Aged Care Association New Zealand. This organisation (previously colloquially referred to as NZACA) is the professional body that represents nearly all providers of Aged Residential Care in New Zealand (that is, rest homes, dementia care home, and aged care hospitals). These providers pay a...
What is the Aged Residential Care contract?
The Age Related Residential Care contract (often referred to as the ARC or ARRC agreement) is actually one of two agreements between health funders and providers of residential care services. These agreements define the national standards for the delivery of services in residential care facilities in New Zealand. These services...
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What should I expect when moving into a care home?
For many people, moving to a rest home or care home brings up a range of emotions such as a sense of loss but also anticipation. Moving involves quite a lot of planning and can feel daunting. Often, people worry about downsizing their possessions, losing the things that they take...
What situations lead to a move into a care home?
While there are a variety of reasons for this; the most common is that the person has experienced a deterioration in health and is having difficulty with managing at home. (Note: an assessment by an authorised service is required prior to entry to residential care.) The following are five typical...
Where can I find a rest home or care home vacancy list?
Eldernet Residential Care provides daily aged residential care vacancies by level of care in New Zealand. Find vacancies in your region here: www.eldernet.co.nz/vacancies
Why do rest homes belong to a professional organisation?
Choosing a residential care facility (like a care or rest home) that is a member of a formal organisation, such as the New Zealand Care Association (NZACA) or Care Association New Zealand (CANZ ), assures you that the rest home meets high standards of care and service. NZACA is a...