With the increasing number of Home Support programmes and semi-independent living options, the actual proportion of people going into care has dropped slightly. However a number of people will still require care in a Rest Home or Long Stay Hospital.

Facing residential care can be a difficult task, it is often associated with feelings of loss (of independence, community, etc.) but it can be an enormous relief for those who have persevered in staying in their own home (refer to sections on personal loss).

Today people require a "needs assessment" before entering care. (See Needs Assessments LINK Please). Nearly all Homes will require intending residents to have a needs assessment and although it may be possible to enter care without an assessment, residents would face a real risk of not being granted a residential subsidy once they have exhausted their private savings on care fees.

The needs assessment will indicate the type of care needed.When a person is being assessed for residential care a"Composite Needs Level" (CNL) is established.This is a score which indicates the type of care needed. When choosing a home it is important to ascertain if the home caters for that level care. Some Rest Homes charge more for a person with a higher needs level score.
Long Stay Private Eldercare Hospitals provide for patients who require 24 hour professional health care. Most people in Long Stay Private Eldercare hospitals will have heavy dependency needs. Some homes will specifically cater for people with dementia and high dependency needs.
 
After the assessment is completed, the assessor will generally meet with people and their families and provide some guidance as to care required. Usually relatives, caregivers etc. are involved with helping the older person choose.The assessors will give an indication as to which relevant homes or hospitals have vacancies.

Factors to consider in choosing a Home or Hospital

All licensed Rest Home and Hospitals have to meet certain regulations, these regulations cover numerous aspects of care but the main ones include:

• Ratio of staff hours to resident numbers,depending on the type of home or hospital
• Adequacy of meals
• Activity programmes
• Availability of Doctors, Registered Nurses.

However some Homes and Hospitals will provide additional services such as Physiotherapy,Occupational Therapy etc.
There will be numerous factors in choosing a Home,the main ones being:

• Location: Is the Home close to family,friends etc. or within the person's own area of town? Is there transport to the Home for those without vehicles?
• What are the general surroundings like? Are there areas to sit outside?
• What is known about the atmosphere within the home - are people treated as individuals?
• Has the Home or Hospital been accredited, i.e. does it have a Certificate of Accreditation from Quality Health New Zealand or similar body? Such accreditation will demonstrate a high level of commitment to quality care.
• What are the rooms like? Most Rest Homes have single rooms so residents can retain their privacy and individuality. Sometimes Hospital rooms can be shared rooms with up to four residents per room. Although most people prefer single rooms, it can be an advantage for hospital residents to have contact with other people as they may be confined to bed for much of the day.
• What type of activity programme is provided? Ask for a copy of the activities programme - it should demonstrate more than just "cards" and "housie'. lt should be varied and offering intellectual stimulation as well as fun times.
• Do rooms have an en suite? Are the toilet and bathroom close enough to the bedroom?
• What type of meals are served? Menus should be varied and not repetitious. Different preferences for food should be catered for, especially for diabetics, vegetarians etc.
• What additional services are provided over and above the standard requirements? Is there access to Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Podiatry etc. What services do residents have to pay extra fees for? Are there Social Work services?
• What are the arrangements for Doctors visits? Can you retain you own Doctor if you wish?

Note: Homes provide Doctor services and many will not charge for the home Doctor visits but residents will generally need to pay for their own Doctor if he or she is different to the home Doctor. Residents on subsidy do not pay for the Home Doctor.

Residents in Rest Homes and Hospitals will need to pay for their own care until their assets reach the levels for the Residential Subsidy.

Rest Homes charge around $900 dollars per week but there is a maximum anyone has to pay for any care including hospital level care.The Government will pay the difference between that maximum and the actual cost of care. Some homes will charge more for rest home residents with higher dependency needs.

View more information about residential care subsidy/assistance through Work and Income NZ by clicking here

Although some residents wonder about the cost of care, the main factor is paying for staff time, and much of that is governed by the sheer necessity of having staff to perform essential tasks.

The price of care should only be one factor among the many others that people use to decide on the home of their choice.

View Private Eldercare Hospitals/Rest Homes/Respite Care options in your area.

• Tauranga/Mount Maunganui/Papamoa Private Eldercare Hospitals/ Rest Homes/Respite Care   
• Katikati Private Eldercare Hospitals/ Rest Homes/Respite Care 
• Te Puke Private Eldercare Hospitals/ Rest Homes/Respite Care 
• Taranaki Private Eldercare Hospitals/ Rest Homes/Respite Care
  
• Horowhenua Private Eldercare Hospitals/RestHomes/Respite Care
  

View Retirement Living Options in your area.

• Tauranga/Mount Maunganui/Papamoa Retirement 
• Katikati Retirement
• Te Puke Retirement
• Taranaki Retirement
• Horowhenua Retirement

Religious and Welfare Homes/Private Homes Homes run by religious organisations such as Presbyterian Support, Salvation Army accept people of any denomination and there are no preferences given.There will often be chapel services or devotions that people can join in if they choose. Private Homes usually have visits form local clergy of various denominations.

Some Homes have Hospital wards attached which generally allows a person to simply transfer to another section of the home if they are assessed as needing Hospital level care. Similarly some homes have a range of options from independent units to Rest Home Dementia Care and Hospital Level care.

Size of the Home/Hospital

There are advantages and disadvantages regarding the size of the complex, and in many ways it comes down to personal choice. Some people prefer small 'family' oriented homes,while others prefer to live in a bigger home where there will generally be a greater choice of activities and more people to meet.

"Rules" of the Home/Hospital

Depending on personal preferences, people may wish to check the policies on smoking, alcohol consumption etc.The guidelines for visitors should be checked, (some Homes have accommodation for out-of-town visitors). Guidelines for residents should be checked, e.g. the provision for residents to have outings, meals with friends etc.

Waiting/Priority Lists

Homes have different policies regarding waiting lists - some simply take the next person on the list, others will accept the person whose need is the greatest at the time.

View Private Eldercare Hospitals/Rest Homes/Respite Care options in your area.

• Tauranga/Mount Maunganui/Papamoa Private Eldercare Hospitals/Resthomes/Respite Care
• Katikati Private Eldercare Hospitals/Resthomes/Respite Care
• Te Puke Private Eldercare Hospital/Resthomes/Respite Care 
• Taranaki Private Eldercare Hospitals/ Resthomes/ Respite Care
• Horowhenua Private Eldercare Hospitals/Resthomes/Respite Care
  

View Retirement Living Options in your area.

• Tauranga/Mount Maunganui/Papamoa Retirement Living
• Katikati Retirement Living
• Te Puke Retirement Living 
• Taranaki New Plymouth Retirement Living
• Horowhenua Retirement Living