Moving to a different rest home or hospital Te hūnuku ki tētahi whare pēperekōu, ki tētahi hōhipera rerekē rānei
Sometimes an older person will need to move to a different rest home or hospital if their current facility is unable to provide the care they need. There is a process to follow to make sure they continue to receive the right level of care.
Moving to a new home
When you move into a rest home or hospital, it becomes your home. You get to know the staff and other residents and you hopefully feel safe and happy there.
If you need to move because your current facility is unable to provide the care you need, you may feel some anxiety or distress.
Rest home staff constantly assess all residents to make sure they are getting the right care. They assess the residents' wellbeing and whether the staff can look after them and the other residents safely. They will talk to you about any concerns.
When you decide to move
If you wish to, or need to, move to another rest home or hospital, it is important to discuss this with the manager of the facility where you are living.
Your agreement with your current facility should tell you how much notice you need to give. You may also need a reassessment if it has been some time since your last assessment or you need a different level of care. You are able to look at facilities in any part of Aotearoa New Zealand.
When your facility can no longer care for you
If your rest home is no longer able to provide you with the appropriate care, the rest home staff or your healthcare provider will ask for a reassessment of your level of care.
They will talk to you and explain why they are doing this. There may be some delay before the reassessment happens. But it can happen quickly if the situation is urgent.
You may feel sad or angry if is suggested you need to move. It is normal to feel this way and the person doing your reassessment will understand. They will work with you, but there are times when it will not be possible to come up with an arrangement everyone is completely happy with.
How the reassessment works
A qualified clinical staff member will do the reassessment. They will:
- read the latest assessment the staff did for you so they understand what the issues and concerns are
- listen to what you think and feel about you or your whānau member's needs.
It may be possible to move to a different area within the same rest home if the right level of care is available. If it is not, it may be necessary to move to a different rest home.
The assessor will complete all the paperwork. They will also help you find another suitable rest home or hospital.
Not every older person who is reassessed has to move. The assessor may suggest trying something new, such as changing medication or managing problems in different ways. However, if the changes do not work well, it may still be necessary for you to move.
If you do not agree with the decision
After a reassessment of your level of care, you or your whānau may not agree with the decision. You can discuss your concerns with the assessor and ask any questions you have. If you still disagree, you can ask for a second opinion.
When a new facility costs more
Older people who receive care in a residential facility either pay the entire cost themselves or they receive a government subsidy. The subsidy depends on an assessment of your assets by Work and Income.
All aged care residential facilities offer standard rooms and services. Many also offer extra services and facilities such as private bathrooms. The rest home or hospital can charge for these extra features called a ‘premium room charge’ and the cost can vary a lot. You will have to decide whether it is worth paying for these extras. The decision to receive ‘premium room services’ must be included in your Admission Agreement.
Seniorline can offer useful advice about premium charges. You can contact them on 0800 725 463