Welcome to the Eldercare Information Kit website.
This website contains a wealth of information on caring for an older person or Whānau. You will find a range of articles that apply to both Australian and New Zealand Carers as well as country specific information. Please be sure to check into the pages that are relevant for your country, as well as the more general information.
It is restricted to employees of subscribing companies. If your organisation does not have a subscription please contact your Human Resources Manager to gain access to this website.
In New Zealand the term Superannuation refers to the pension that an older person may be eligible to receive on a regular basis from the NZ Government.
The person you care for may be able to get NZ Superannuation if they:
Note: The person does not have to be retired from work to get NZ Super as it's not income tested.
Other earnt income can affect other payments from the Govt (0ver and above NZ Super/Veteran's Pension).
Full details can be found at Work and Income NZ
Payment rates will vary according to the person’s current circumstances, such as:
A table of superannuation rates can be found at the Work and Income NZ site
If the person is living alone they may qualify for an extra amount that recognises the costs of running a household on their own. They may also get this rate of payment if they have a partner who’s in residential care, or hospital.
The SuperGold Card is for eligible seniors and veterans, recognising the contribution they make to New Zealand society.
The card gives access to:
The back of the card indicates whether the person has entitlement to New Zealand Superannuation (NZS), the Veteran’s Pension and/or Community Services Card.
The card does not contain any personal information other than the person’s name, client and card numbers, and any of these entitlements.
The Card will be automatically issued when:
If the person is getting NZ Super or a pension and they don't have enough money, additional help may be available to cover:
Some of the options are listed below with a link to the government site that explains the benefit in greater detail.
Seniorline is a national service providing information on how to get help to stay at home and relief care for caregivers. They also have information on rest homes and private hospitals, help to find care, funding and the services that should be provided.
For more information about Seniorline visit their website or phone 0800 725 463.
Help with housing costs The Accommodation Supplement could be available if the older person’s income and cash assets are below a certain amount. This benefit is to help with the costs of renting, boarding or owning their home. The rate of this supplement depends on where they live, their family situation (single/married/children) and the amount of their accommodation costs. To find out what the person might be able to get visit www.seniors.msd.govt.nz
If the family member is 65 and over and needs to be in a rest home or private hospital indefinitely they may be able to get help to pay for some of the cost of their care. Click here to find out more.
These benefits are related to subsidies for medicines and medical services. Prescriptions Costs Pharmeceutical Subsisdy Card
The Health Passport is a booklet that the person can carry with them when attending hospitals or other providers of health and disability services. A Health Passport contains information about how they want people to communicate with them and support them. This is particularly helpful when as a Carer you may live some distance from your relative or Whānau and they need emergency care.
If you the person you care for needs a hearing aid/s the Ministry of Health may be able to help with this cost.
There are two types of assistance. Depending on the person’s circumstances and type of hearing loss, they may be able to get help from one of these schemes.
There are a number of requirements that need to meet to qualify for this and there may be a need to complete an income and asset test. For more information click here
If the person does not qualify to have their hearing aid paid for under the funding scheme, they may be able to get a subsidy. This isn’t income or asset tested.
For more information click here
For more information or to apply phone Accessable on 0508 001 002 or visit www.accessable.co.nz/hearing.php
[1] From Ministry of Social Development NZ website
Where a person is in financial difficulties they maybe eligible for emergency assistance. Click here to find out more
A useful resource is the Ministry of Social Development Brochure – Services for Seniors
The Accredited Visiting Service is a befriending service that provides regular visits to older people who would like more company. The visitors are volunteers who are keen to spend time with an older person for about an hour each week to enjoy conversation and shared interests and activities. For more information
Many of the Consumer rights issues are looked after by the Citizens Advice Bureau. They help people to know and understand their rights and obligations and how to use this information to get the best outcomes, They provide people with the confidence and support they need to take action, and work for positive social change within communities and wider society. Click here to go to their site.
Information on this page is current as at June 2017
This is the Eldercare Information Kit website. Please follow these links to access the Childcare Information Kit website or the Managing Work Life Balance website.
P +61 2 9411 2434 or Mobile 0418 298 169
PO Box 12, Roseville NSW 2069
