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 the care environment (find out more about levels of care here) However, just to be confusing, the term rest home is also widely used by the public in a broad sense to refer to care homes and residential care. 

The differences can be understood by the following example: A car is a generic term for type of vehicle.  A ‘hatch-back’ is specific type of car. So - Residential care is a type of service. A rest home is a type of service within a residential care facility.

None of the above are terms for retirement villages although retirement villages may be able to offer these services in addition to their village services.

Find rest homes in New Zealand on Eldernet Residential Care.