Rest homes provide for people whose needs have reached the point where it is no longer appropriate that they remain living in their own homes. Approximately 3-6% (with some cultural variation) of those aged over 65 years in New Zealand live in residential care. Some people less than 65 years of age with a disability or who require intensive or specialised nursing care may also live in residential care such as rest homes or private hospitals.

It is often difficult for those wishing to find more information on rest homes and the process involved in entering one to know where to start. In this section we have presented a summary of what's going on around Royal Heights and some answers to common questions andissues, particularly concerning subsidised care.

Carer Support Subsidy and Day Stay Service

Royal Heights offers a day stay service at a very reasonable cost and if you have a Carer Support Subsidy this can be used. A Carer Support Subsidy and eligibility criteria information can be accessed through your GP. If you are interested in finding out if the day stay service may suit you please contact our nurse manager.

A resident's lite-hearted poem about Royal Heights

When I'm getting old, past my used by date

I'll book in a rest home before its too late

But I'm not booking in to any old one,

Cos I still want to live and have lots of fun

I'll sign myself in to Royal Heights,

Where you're busy all day, and sleep all nights

They take you on trips, and even swimming

Exercises to music, really quite slimming.

You go out to lunch, they teach you to fish

The staff are quite lovely, the boss is a dish

Pam runs it all, she's tall slim and blonde

They have lovely gardens, and even a pond.

The food is delicious, the whole place so neat,

Your own private room, complete with en suite.

The furniture's modern; where you sit to dine

I really can't fault it, its so jolly fine.

With my eyes growing dim, and my legs giving out

I'll go up Royal Road, to the rest home, and shout

This lonely old world, I cannot abide

So open up Pam, I'm coming inside..

By the late Joy Hall