Moving into residential care
checklists to help you make an informed decision.
Step-by-step guide to residential care
decisions need to be made in a short time-frame. If you are unsure where to start,
begin with our step-by-step guide.
This can be arranged directly via your local Needs Assessment
Service Coordination or through a GP referral.
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What is a needs assessment?
Watch video
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What is a needs assessment?
Read article
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Find your local Needs Assessment agency
Read article
Understand resident costs and fees
The residential care subsidy contributes to the cost of residing
in a rest home. To be eligible for the subsidy certain criteria
needs to be met including a financial means assessment.
This step is completed by Work & Income.
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Residential care subsidy
Watch video
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Residential care subsidy
Read article
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Work & Income Residential care0800 999 727
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Premium room fees
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Maximum contribution
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Find and compare rest homes
Village Guide makes this step easy. Simply use our search filters
to find rest homes in your area that offer the level of care required.
Send an enquiry directly to the rest home manager using our forms or
create a 'compare list' to print and browse with family members.
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Premium Rooms: Everything You Need to Know
Read article
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Care Suites: Your Questions Answered
Read article
Visit rest homes in-person
Once you’ve shortlisted rest homes that suit, the next step is to
arrange a meeting with the manager. This gives you
the opportunity to look around the facility and to get a feel
for the home. We’ve put together a list of suggested questions
to ask rest home managers.
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Questions to ask rest home managers
Download checklist
Read the paperwork
Make sure you request an admissions agreement from each rest
home you visit. Take your time to read through these
documents. You can also access the rest home’s most recent
audit report from the Ministry of Health website. This is another
document we suggest you take the time to read prior to making
a decision.
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What is an admissions agreement
Read article
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Who completes audit reports for rest homes
Read article
Make a choice and sign the agreement
Once you’ve decided on a rest home, you will need to sign the
admissions agreement and work together with the rest home
manager to create a care plan. It’s also at this stage that you
apply for the residential care loan (if you qualify).
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What is a resident's care plan?
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What’s an enduring power of attorney?
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View resources by topic
Understanding rest homes and your options
-
What is a needs assessment
Watch video
-
What is a needs assessment?
Learn more
-
Find and compare rest homes
Learn more
-
Premium Rooms: Everything You Need to Know
Learn more
-
Care Suites: Your Questions Answered
Learn more
Understanding residents fees
-
Residential care subsidy
Watch video
-
Residential care subsidy
Learn more
-
Premium room fees
Read article
-
Maximum contribution
Read article
Understanding the paperwork
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Admissions agreement
Read article
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Resident care plan
Read article
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What is an enduring power of attorney?
Read article
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Rest home audits
Read article
Levels of care
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An introduction to different levels of care
Learn more
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Rest home care
Find out more
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Hospital care
Find out more
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Dementia care
Find out more
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Respite care
Find out more
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Day care
Find out more
Helpful organisations
- Seniorline Seniorline supports people to navigate the health system and offers advise on moving into a rest home, funding and services. Seniorline is contracted by all New Zealand District Health Boards.
- Age Concern Aged concern is a charitable organisation that offer knowledge and guidance on services for people over 65.
- Work and Income Offer support with the costs of residential care.
- Contact details for district health boards View phone and email address for each district health board by region
Other articles
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Dealing with dementia
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How innovation is thriving in New Zealand’s dementia care centres
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Understanding care suites with Jayne Brydon from Metlifecare
Read article
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You can request an Information Pack for multiple villages by adding them to your Saved List. When ready, complete the form within your account area.