The difference between a retirement village and a rest home

Villages and rest homes both offer retirement living and the terms are often used to refer to the same thing. However, there are some important differences between the two that you should be aware of.

People live independently in their own house in a retirement village, but have access to a variety of services that make daily living easier. Using these additional services is optional, allowing you to live as supported or as independently as you want to.

Quite a few retirement homes also offer assisted living, which has the features of both independent living and rest home care. Residents receive ongoing support from caregivers and medical professionals, but still have their own home and the freedom and privacy that comes with it.

Rest homes are different in that they offer higher levels of care for people who require further care and cannot live independently. They offer a range of rooms, from standard single bed rooms with easy access to care, to premium rooms with ensuites attached.

In some retirement villages, rest home care may be provided in the form of a care suite or serviced apartments. Many retirement homes share an address with a rest home, allowing for continuity of care.

If a retirement village has an onsite rest home, they may also offer day care, respite care, or hospital care for residents, allowing them to spend short stints receiving additional care and then return to living independently. These types of arrangements are ideal for recovering from an illness or operation in a safe environment close to home.

How to Use Village Guide to Search for a Retirement Village in Auckland

If you're comparing retirement villages in Auckland, the easiest way to do it is to use the drop down menus and search bar at the top of this page. Choose the location you're looking at, then refine your search by choosing the type of home you're searching for.

If you're still confused about which retirement village will be right for your needs, visit our Resource Centre for guides, checklists and more.

Understanding Retirement Village Fees

When comparing fees for different retirement villages in Auckland you will need to talk to the village's sales manager. Each village has a slightly different fee structure. There will usually be an entry cost, deferred management fee and weekly fees. Fees will also be different if you're considering serviced apartments instead of standard retirement village housing.

You can find an overview of common fee types and other financial considerations in our Resource Centre.

Find the ideal retirement home

Forget looking through phone books and brochures in search of the ideal establishment; Village Guide has put in the hard work for you. Whether you are interested in retirement living in Auckland city itself, planning to live a little further afield in Franklin or on the North Shore, or almost anywhere else in New Zealand, we can help.