No, you must undergo a needs assessment in order to go into rest home or hospital care. The needs assessment is undertaken by people employed in the Older Adults Assessment Unit of your local District Health Board (DHB). They react in response to a referral from your family doctor.

Sometimes if a person is weak from illness or after an operation, they can benefit from a short time in rest home care to regain their strength. You can apply for temporary or short-term rest home care without having to be assessed, but you will have to pay the full cost yourself. If you wish the Government to pay all or part of the cost, you will have to be assessed first.

Ring The Selwyn Foundation village of your choice and enquire.

The website below answers most questions. You will need to copy the link below and paste it into your browser address bar.

http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/hop-longtermresidentialcare-questionsanswers

The DHB person who will assess you will also give you all the forms to enable you to apply for a subsidy.

If you both wish to enter residential care, you both have to be assessed.

They will need to be assessed by the District Health Board on referral by their family doctor.

We believe that it is wise to have someone appointed as your “power of attorney” today – you never know when something might happen which will impede your ability to think clearly. The Selwyn Foundation recommends that you discuss this with your lawyer.

We believe that it is wise to have a will. When you pass away, the process of sorting out things is easier for your family if your wishes are recorded in a will. Even something like burial or cremation can become difficult, if your family do not know your wishes. The Selwyn Foundation recommends that you discuss this with your lawyer.

You should discuss your concerns with your family doctor. The process can take time, so it is best not to leave it too late.

Many of our care facilities have dedicated, outdoor areas for smoking.

We do not have exact rules on this. Please discuss this with the manager of the residential care facility concerned.

Our residential care facilities are your home. We welcome friends and family on your behalf at any time. However, we also appeal to them not to visit at times which are inconvenient or disruptive to other residents.