Services offered in residential care
The services offered by residential care providers can vary. They must tell you about the services they offer and be clear about which ones you must pay extra for.
Residential care services provided at no extra charge
If your residential care facility has a contract with the government, there are lifestyle, health professional and accommodation services they:
- must provide
- cannot charge you extra for providing.
Lifestyle services
Lifestyle services to help with your everyday needs:
- 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 and stethoscopes to hospital beds and hand rails
- some recreational activities
- radio, television and mail services.
Health professional services
Services provided by health professionals or those they supervise:
- 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 that are subsidised by the government agency, Pharmac
- nursing care — this includes having a registered nurse available to oversee your care
- dressings, continence supplies or other products used in your treatment
- transport for medical or health reasons, for example to and from an appointment at a public hospital
- someone to accompany you to health appointments — if your family or friends are not able to.
Accommodation services
Residential care homes and hospitals also need to 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.
Services which you need to pay extra for
Some residential care services are not covered by your maximum contribution and must be listed in your admission agreement. You need to pay for these services yourself:
- magazines, newspapers, streaming services and Sky TV
- premium rooms — these have extra features, for example, their own bathroom
- medicine or vitamins not prescribed for you by your GP, or not subsidised by Pharmac
- specialists or other healthcare that’s not publicly funded by Te Whatu Ora — Health New Zealand, for example, x-rays. See: Seeing a specialist
- glasses, hearing aids and dental care
- clothing, dry cleaning and hairdressing
- personal mobility aids, for example, your own wheelchair or mobility scooter
- insurance for your personal belongings
- leisure costs, for example, tickets to shows or club memberships.
What you pay for residential care
Your admission agreement and care plan
Care suites in retirement villages
Some retirement villages offer care suites in which you can get in-room care. They’re also known as serviced apartments.
To stay in a care suite, you need to buy into the retirement village’s ‘Licence to Occupy’ or ‘Occupation Right Agreement’. You might be able to get the Residential Care Subsidy while living in a care suite.
Apply for a Residential Care Subsidy
How retirement villages and residential care are different — Seniorline
Learn why premium rooms cost more
Premium rooms have extra features, for example:
- an ensuite bathroom — a bathroom that’s connected to a bedroom and for private, rather than shared use
- access to a garden
- a larger room.
Depending on the rest home or hospital you choose, premium rooms usually cost more per day than standard rooms. Rates may vary throughout the country.
Contact Seniorline
Seniorline provides information for older people about residential care, community services and how to get help at home.
- Freephone: 0800 725 463 (NZ only)
- Phone: +64 9 375 4395
- Email: seniorline@adhb.govt.nz
- Website: seniorline.org.nz