Respite Care in New Zealannd
A plain-language guide to respite care options in New Zealand — for family carers who need a break, and for the people they care for.
What is respite care?
Respite care is temporary care — ranging from a few hours to several weeks — that gives family carers a break while ensuring the person they care for is supported and safe. It is one of the most important and most underused services available to family carers in New Zealand.
Family carers — spouses, adult children, siblings — provide the majority of care for elderly people in New Zealand. The physical and emotional demands of sustained caregiving are significant, and without regular breaks, carer burnout is common, with serious consequences for both the carer and the person being cared for.
THE HONEST TRUTH
Many family carers feel guilty taking a break. They shouldn't. Respite care is not abandonment — it is what makes sustained care at home possible over the long term. A carer who never rests eventually cannot care at all. Using respite services proactively, before burnout occurs, is the right approach.
Types of respite care
In-home respite
A relief carer comes to the home, allowing the primary family carer to take time away. This can be a few hours, a full day, or overnight. In-home respite is the least disruptive for the person being cared for — they remain in their own environment and routine.
Day care and day programmes
Structured programmes that the person attends during the day, providing activity and supervision while the family carer has time free. There are various day programme options across the country including some specialist dementia day programmes. Places are in demand — enquire early.
Residential respite
Short-term stays in a rest home or residential care facility — typically one to four weeks. Residential respite provides a more complete break for the family carer and is appropriate when the person's needs are higher or when the carer needs to travel or recover from their own health issues.
Emergency respite
When a family carer has an unexpected health event, hospitalisation, or other crisis, emergency respite may be required at short notice. Having a plan in place before an emergency occurs is strongly advisable — speaking with your NASC coordinator about emergency options is a practical step.
How to access respite care
Government-funded respite
Government-funded respite care is available for eligible people through the NASC needs assessment process. Family carers can also contact Carers NZ (0800 777 797) for advice on accessing carer support and respite funding.
Carer Support subsidy
The Carer Support subsidy provides funded respite for family carers of people who have been assessed as requiring support. It is arranged through Health New Zealand and provides a set number of funded days per year. Ask your NASC coordinator or your parent's GP about this specifically.
Private respite
Respite care can also be arranged privately — through a home care agency for in-home respite, or directly with a rest home for residential respite. Private options tend to be more flexible and faster to access but at full cost.
For family carers — recognising when you need a break
The signs of carer stress and approaching burnout include:
Persistent exhaustion that sleep doesn't relieve
Increased irritability or resentment toward the person you care for
Neglecting your own health, social life, or relationships
Feeling trapped or hopeless about your situation
Physical symptoms — frequent illness, headaches, back pain
Withdrawing from things you used to enjoy
If any of these sound familiar, contacting Carers NZ or your GP is an important step. Carer support is available and it is appropriate to ask for it.