Staying in your own home as you age can support your independence, wellbeing, and sense of connection to your community. Many people prefer to remain at home for as long as possible, and with the right support, this is often achievable.
Understanding when you might need help, what types of support are available, and how to access them can make it easier to plan ahead and feel confident about your options.
Recognising when support will help
Staying in your own home can bring comfort, independence, and a sense of familiarity, but there may come a time when day-to-day tasks become more challenging.
You might benefit from extra support if you:
- Find household tasks like cleaning, cooking, or shopping difficult
- Feel less steady on your feet or worry about safety at home
- Need help with personal care, such as showering or dressing
- Feel isolated or would like more regular contact and support
It’s also important to consider:
- What tasks you can manage on your own
- What support whānau or friends can provide
- What would help you feel safe, comfortable, and independent
Getting the right support early can help you stay in your home for longer and maintain your quality of life.
Types of home help available
There are a wide range of services and workers who can support you at home. Depending on your needs, you might choose:
- Personal care support – help with bathing, dressing, or mobility
- Household assistance – cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, or shopping
- Health support – visits from nurses, therapists, or other health professionals
- Companionship – social visits or help getting out into the community
Services can be flexible, ranging from occasional help to daily visits.
If you prefer to organise your own support or talk about a regular companion visitor, you can talk to your local Age Concern. You may be interested in reading about our Visiting Services (Link).
You’ll also find information on services on the Eldernet website and can connect directly with care workers through private providers.
Funded & private support options
Home help can be funded publicly, paid for privately, or a mix of both.
Government-funded support (Needs Assessment)
To access many funded services, you’ll need a Needs Assessment through a Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) organisation.
NASC services will:
- Assess your needs, abilities, and circumstances
- Help determine what support you are eligible for
- Arrange services on your behalf
You can make a self-referral or be referred by a family member, or a health professional such as your GP. You can find your local NASC organisation here
Private support
You can also choose to arrange and pay for your own support services at any time, either instead of, or alongside, funded care.
Some services (such as house cleaning) may not always be fully covered by government funding. If you have a Community Services Card, you may be able to access financial assistance for certain services.
For many people, support from family and friends whānau also plays an important role. Having open conversations about what help is needed, and what people are able to offer, can make things clearer and more sustainable for everyone involved.
This might include:
- Sharing household tasks like shopping, cooking, or transport
- Regular check-ins or visits
- Helping manage appointments or organise services
It can also be helpful to:
- Agree on boundaries and availability
- Combine informal support with paid services where needed
- Review arrangements over time as your needs change
- Agreed financial arrangements to protect our finances
If family or friends are providing regular care, it’s important to think about respite care. Respite care gives carers a break, helping them rest and maintain their own wellbeing.
Respite support can include:
- A support worker coming into your home for a few hours or days
- Short stays in a residential care facility
- Day programmes or community-based activities
Respite care can be arranged privately or, in some cases, may be partially funded depending on your situation. Planning for regular breaks can help make caring roles more sustainable and ensure both you and your carers are well supported.
Planning together can help ensure you feel supported, while also making sure those around you are supported too.
Your rights
No matter how your support is arranged, you are protected under the Code of Health and Disability Consumers’ Rights (1996).
This means you have the right to:
- Be treated with respect
- Receive safe, quality care
- Speak up if something isn’t right
If you’re unhappy with your support, you can:
- Raise concerns with your provider
- Contact an advocacy service
- Talk things through with your local Age Concern to direct you to where support may be available.
