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 long-term health problems and be unable to manage in your current home.  Make an appointment with your general practitioner to talk about this, if you haven't already. An assessment may indicate that you are eligible for support services (or more support services) at home.

The vast majority of care homes are private businesses and the fees required to operate them are both private (i.e., you pay) and public (i.e., subsidised, for those who can not afford to pay the full amount). As there is a publicly funded component to this care access needs to be managed carefully. 

If you are eligible for care you will need to find a suitable facility that meets your needs - you can find a facility in your region on the Eldernet Residential Care website.

There are other options for those who want to live in a more supportive environment such as private serviced apartments in a Retirement Village. Learn more about retirement villages at https://www.eldernet.co.nz/retirement-villages