‘Making Life Easier at Home’ is all about supporting older people to live the life they want! We want to empower you to use your voice and to make decisions that are right for your future. Here you’ll discover a huge range of care and support options, community groups, and service providers throughout the country that will help make life at home easier. Whether you’re still living in the family home, or are settled in a retirement village or residential care, these resources are for you.
Dream Eldercare
Dream Companions provide live-in or live-out support, blending practical care with genuine companionship at home or in your village.Livingwell Disability Resource Centre
Otago’s independent hub for disability and accessibility support for older people, disabled people, and their whānau.The Good Companion
Get help in the comfort of your own home. NationwideRockPool Collective
RockPool connects you with trusted local families (and their kids) to help with everyday tasks, so you can enjoy living in your homeBrowse categories
Home help & personal care
Meal prep | Cleaning | Personal assistance | And more...
Supporting your carer
Respite care | Day programmes
Equipment & products
Mobility aids | Stair lifts | Continence | And more...
Around your home
Repairs & maintenance | Gardening | Downsizing | And more...
Housing options
Rentals | 60s + housing | Public & private housing
Recreation & transport
Exercise | Transport options | Travel
End of life
Palliative care | Funerals | Hospice | And more...
Staying healthy
Vision | Hearing | Podiatry | Therapies | And more...
Local community resources
Culture | Kaumātua programmes | Libraries | And more...
Professional services
Financial assistance | Legal matters | And more...
Industry suppliers
Industry suppliers | Recruitment & training
Let us help you find what you're looking for
What should I consider when getting help at home?
Many older people are happy living at home and just need a bit of extra support now and again – whether that means assistance around the house, getting professional support and advice, or simply connecting with like-minded people. Yet these services can be difficult to find if you don’t know where to look or if you’re not sure yet what you are looking for; in fact, sometimes you don’t know you have a problem until you find the solution. That’s where ‘Making Life Easier’ comes in.
As we all lead different lives, the support and assistance we need will vary widely. Perhaps you’re looking to meet some like-minded people in your community, join a club or group, or take up a new hobby? Or perhaps you’ve moved to a new area and want to know what services are available? Whatever support you require, you’ll find options in your region to suit.
We all need to look after our eyes, ears and feet – regardless of our age. Some of us may find we need a little extra help around the home, such as cooking and cleaning, while others may require help with their personal care. While there may be some challenges ahead as we get older, there are options to help you navigate these.
If you’re requiring home support, there are a wide range of services to choose from, including practical services and personal care. You may be eligible to receive subsidised home help (via an interRAI assessment) or you can choose to pay privately. There is a lot to consider so use our checklist to help you navigate the process – then browse home support providers in your region. You can also find loads more information about getting help at home and in your community on our Knowledge Lab.
Your questions answered
Looking for independent and impartial information to help you on your ageing journey? Looking for help but not sure where to start? The Knowledge Lab is our comprehensive resource library; dive in and find informative and practical articles and videos covering a wide range of topics, plus answers to questions you didn’t even know you had. Start browsing now.
What is the best phone and/or computer for my relative?
While usability for older users hasn’t been a strong driver in the design of smart phones, tablets and computers there are features that can definitely make these easier for older people to use, so we advise you look out for them. Anecdotally we understand older people are using large screen...
How much are rates rebates in New Zealand?
For older people, particularly those on low or set incomes, rates increases can be stressful. A rates rebate gives some relief. The threshold was increased for the 2025/2026 year: Maximum rebate $805. Income threshold $32,210. If you think you are eligible, contact your local council after you get your rates...
Observe, Test, Iterate, and Learn - Don Norman
Do I need an assessment to access respite care?
While you may pay privately for respite care, an interRAI assessment is required if you wish to access subsidised respite care in New Zealand. This assessment is conducted by trained health professionals and is usually organised through your local NASC or older person’s service. The assessment identifies the level of...
Your options
Home and Community
Fully independent and living at home. There are many services to make life at home easier.
Retirement Village
Independent living in a purpose built property with varying levels of support.
Residential Care
The full service options for all the support and levels of care you could need.
News in the community
Want to read the latest news and events? See what's going on around NZ. This newsletter is created by contributions direct from the Eldernet community and is filled with good news and updates.
Haven Care - Home help & personal care
Haven Care – support in the comfort of your home Personalised support means you or your loved one receives support tailored to fit their needs. With one‑to‑one, relationship‑based care, we offer an alternative to shared facility living. We take time to match each client with the right caregiver, considering individual...
Next Step Retirement Living - Advocacy services
"Making Informed Decisions About Your Next Step" Retirement living decisions can be complex, emotional and financially significant. With so many options, contracts and costs, it’s easy to feel unsure, especially if choices suddenly become urgent. Carmel McLaughlin from Next Step Retirement Living offers independent, personalised guidance so you can understand...
Nurse Maude Health & Mobility Shop - Mobility aids & useful products
Leukomed Range- Easy Peel Plasters from $1.80 each Purchase by the box or individually! Perfect for delicate skin- no need to rip off this band-aid because you simply gently roll it off to remove. Options in breathable fabric plaster or shower proof.
CBM Christian Blind Mission - Charitable Organisations
Help protect adults and children from NTDs For children like 11-year-old Fatima in Nigeria, Neglected Tropical Diseases once threatened everything – their health, their education, and their future. River Blindness, Elephantiasis, Snail Fever and Trachoma have stolen sight, mobility and dignity from millions of people in the world’s poorest places....