Services offered by rest homes or hospitals
The services offered by residential care providers vary from one to another. They must tell you about the services they offer and be clear about which ones you pay extra for.
If the home has a contract with a District Health Board (DHB), there are some services they must offer and can’t charge you extra for.
Healthcare
They must provide:
- visits from a General Practitioner (GP) — this is usually a doctor they appoint to look after you
- medicines that are prescribed for you by your GP — but only those subsidised by the government agency, Pharmac
- nursing care – this includes having a registered nurse available to oversee your care, and also staff training and medical matters
- dressings, continence supplies or other products used in your treatment
- transport for medical or health reasons, eg to an appointment at a public hospital
- someone to accompany you to health appointments if your family or friends aren’t able to.
Accommodation
They must provide:
- accommodation that is suitable for older people — it must be comfortable, safe, offer privacy and support your wellbeing
- a garden or safe outdoor space that has sheltered seating and is easy to get to.
Premium rooms
Depending on the rest home or hospital you choose, you’ll usually pay extra for an ensuite bathroom or a large room (known as a premium room).
Premium rooms often cost $40 to $60 more per day than standard rooms.
Occupational Right Agreements or Licence to occupy
Residential care and retirement villages are different — but some villages do offer care in serviced apartments. You pay a lump sum to live in the apartment or care suite. This is called an Occupation Right Agreement or sometimes a Licence to occupy.
If you are getting rest home care in an apartment you pay a weekly fee for services. You or those close to you may need legal advice, as your Admission Agreement needs be amended so you're not paying twice for services.
If you need a level of care higher than rest home you may have to move because not all Occupation Right Agreement apartments provide hospital-level or dementia-level care.
You can call Seniorline for advice:
Lifestyle
They must provide:
- healthy meals and snacks — as much as possible they should take account of your personal tastes, and medical or cultural needs
- laundry and cleaning services
- equipment that helps you get around, such as wheelchairs or walking frames
- clinical or other equipment that helps with your personal care — this ranges from thermometers to a stethoscope, hospital beds to handrails
- some recreational activities
- radio, television and mail services.
Pay for extra services
The admission agreement you sign with a rest home or hospital lists any extra services that you’ve agreed to pay for and how much they cost.
The services can include:
- a premium room, eg one with an ensuite bathroom
- medicine or vitamins not prescribed by a doctor
- specialists or other healthcare not publicly funded through the DHB, eg x-rays
- glasses, hearing aids and dental care
- personal items and services, eg magazines or hairdressing
- clothing and dry cleaning
- personal mobility aids, eg your own wheelchair or mobility scooter
- insurance of your personal belongings
- leisure costs, eg tickets to shows or club memberships
- telephone, internet or pay-to-view TV services.
