Navigating the evolving landscape of aged care can be complex, particularly with alternate accommodation options like care suites becoming more common. To gain insights into this trend, Village Guides founder Paula Bishop sat down with Jayne Brydon, Care Suite Sales Manager at Metlifecare.
Care suites differ from traditional care home rooms by offering residents not just accommodation, but a living space with access to personalised care services. While the concept of purchasing a care suite instead of paying daily premium accommodation charges may seem unfamiliar, it can offer both lifestyle and, in some cases, financial benefits for residents seeking a greater degree of independence and sense of home.
Paula, initially interested in learning more about the concept of care suites, was deeply impressed by the passion Jayne and the Metlifecare team displayed. "What struck me most wasn't just the details of care suites, but the genuine care and passion Jayne displayed. Metlifecare’s dedication to residents' well-being and creating the best possible environment was both touching and inspiring."
Curious about what set Metlifecare's approach apart? Read on to hear directly from Jayne about their resident-centered care.
VG: Please describe your care suites at Metlifecare. How do your care suites differ from other care home rooms you offer?
MLC: A care suite is a premium room offering full-time aged residential care. Each care suite has a private ensuite, tea-making kitchenette and bar fridge. It is beautifully appointed and offers a feeling of home. It is intended to be sold under an Occupation Right Agreement also known as an ORA.
VG: What levels of care do you provide in your care suites?
MLC: Care Suites are fully certified by the Ministry of Health for the provision of rest home and hospital-level care. Some of our sites also have secure dementia care suites.
VG: How can someone move into a care suite? Can you please explain the application and approval process?
MLC: Not all our villages have care suites. Residents will need to choose the village and care suite they wish to enter. We try to make the process as easy and seamless as possible. After they have been assessed as requiring full time care and they have made their choice of care suite they want, the next step is to sign an application form. This allows us to draft the legal documents to be signed by the resident at their appointed solicitor. As soon as the documents have been signed by all parties, the resident can be admitted into the care suite. Our team is equipped to produce documents within 24 hours from application to sending to their chosen legal representative.
VG: How does the care that Metlifecare staff offer to residents differ from other providers?
MLC: Our Care Promise is people come first always. We offer care that is deeply personal and personalised with staff who are trained accordingly. We focus a lot on social wellbeing, to provide our residents with a full and rewarding life. We also invite family participation, as family support is extremely important for our residents.
Some of our care suite facilities also have a Care Experience Manager who will assist the Care Suite residents in a concierge-like capacity assisting them to coordinate and manage their day in a way that enables them to spend their leisure time doing the things they love.
VG: Are all care suites at Metlifecare sold on an occupation right agreement (ORA) or are some available as a premium accommodation charge?
MLC: Yes, all care suites are sold under the Occupation Right Agreement.
VG: How does an ORA differ from a premium accommodation charge?
MLC: Purchasing an ORA provides certainty about the minimum amount that you will be refunded from the care suite resale once the ORA comes to an end. This contrasts with a daily Premium Accommodation Charge where the total costs are open-ended.
VG: Can you explain what the daily care fee is and whether this fee is reduced if a resident has paid an ORA for their care suite?
MLC: The daily care fee is a government-gazetted fee and is payable when you move into full time aged residential care . Some residents may qualify for a Residential Care Subsidy to help cover the Daily Care Fee. Hospital care has a higher fee, but provided Health NZ criteria are met, a top-up subsidy covers the difference.
VG: Do care suite residents have access to the same facilities and services as other residents in a Metlifecare village?
MLC: Residents in our care suites enjoy the convenience of their own communal facilities. They can also visit the main café and other village areas but would need to be able to safely mobilise to and from these areas with friends or family.
Learn more about Metlifecare Care Suites
