Health NZ - Web Capture - Residential Care Overview
Health NZ
Sector evidence
Sector body
June 2026
Next review not yet scheduled
New Zealand
Medium confidence
published
SNZ editorial review
Evidence boundary: This record summarises the cited source. It does not establish local availability, individual eligibility, or professional advice.
Short Answer
- For people who need help with daily activities (e.g., washing, dressing, eating, mobility) but do not require 24-hour nursing care.
Key Points
- •Functional ability: mobility, personal care, transfers, continence, meal preparation
- •Medical needs: current diagnoses, medications, pain management, pressure area risk
- •Cognitive function: memory, decision-making, safety awareness, behaviour
- •Social circumstances: carer support, living situation, community connections
- •Rehabilitation potential: whether a short-term restorative approach might help
- •Married or in a civil union/de facto relationship:
Full Summary & Notes
- For people who need help with daily activities (e.g., washing, dressing, eating, mobility) but do not require 24-hour nursing care. - Care staff are available around the clock, but registered nurses are not necessarily on-site 24/7. - Suited for those who are relatively mobile and have stable health conditions. - Social activities, meals, and housekeeping are typically included. - For people who need 24-hour registered nursing care and regular medical supervision. - Suitable for those with complex medical needs, chronic conditions requiring monitoring, or who are bed-bound. - Registered nurses are on-site 24 hours a day. - Often called 'private hospital' or 'geriatric hospital' care. - Secure, specialised facilities for people with dementia (mate wareware) who have behaviours that challenge or who wander. - Staff are trained in dementia care and communication techniques. - The environment is designed to be safe and supportive, with secure outdoor areas and cues to aid orientation. - May be a dedicated unit within a rest home or hospital, or a stand-alone facility. - For older people with significant mental health conditions alongside age-related needs, such as severe depression, anxiety, psychosis, or complex behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). - Requires input from specialist mental health services for older people. - Typically provided in specialised units with higher staff-to-resident ratios. The government provides a subsidy to cover the cost of c
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Document Details & Metadata
Related Resources
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Published in August 2023 and updated in December 2023 by Te Th Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission, PO Box 25496, Wellington 6011.