HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Frequently asked questions about respite care for older people
Ngā pātai auau mō te tautiaki tānga manawa ki ngā pēperekōu
Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about respite care.
Can I save planned respite care days to use next year?
You must use your planned respite care days within a year of your assessment. You cannot carry them over from one year to the next.
What if I need a longer break? Can I use more days than I have been allocated?
Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand Waitaha Canterbury will pay for the planned respite care days that Older Persons’ Specialist Health and Rehabilitation Services allocates to you.
If you want to have more respite care, you can choose to book extra days and pay for them yourself. Speak to the person who does your assessment or to the rest home you are booking your care in.
Will I have to fill out any complicated forms or pay upfront?
You do not have to fill in any forms or make any upfront payments for the planned respite care days allocated to you. Te Whatu Ora Waitaha will pay the rest home you choose.
I still have more questions – who should I ask?
The person who assesses you can answer any of your questions. Or you can contact Older Person Health Specialist Service directly by phoning (03) 337‑7765.
Whaikaha – Ministry of disabled people also has more information about respite care.
Written by Older Persons’ Specialist Health and Rehabilitation Services, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed March 2023.
Sources
Review key: HIRCO-164781
