[Carey]

What provision is there in NZ for old age? Care homes? Nursing homes? Do they exist? Are they very expensive? What does the state provide? Do people tend to be looked after by family? Or friends, as presumedly many won't have close family if they emigrated themselves?

Anyone any observations or experience of this aspect?

[JWR]

Carey, are you an old age person thinking of emmigrating to NZ or asking on behalf of someone else? As an old age person are you able to emmigrate to NZ, do you satisfy the criteria? Best wishes either way, hope it works out for you.

Remember, never take no for an answer, and no mountain is too tall to climb.

[Carey]

No , not me yet! But Oh was thinking aloud last night as we discuss our future in NZ and I realised I'd never thought about this at all! I think about the next 10 years but not further than that whereas he's the 'deeper' thinker, (read 'worrier/very cautious' ) and thought it would be interesting to find out.

[nickydwuk]

My OH (also the worrier/over cautious) asked the same thing the other night. Curious to hear the answers. :)

[IanW99]

What provision is there in NZ for old age? Care homes? Nursing homes? Do they exist? Are they very expensive? What does the state provide? Do people tend to be looked after by family? Or friends, as presumedly many won't have close family if they emigrated themselves?

Anyone any observations or experience of this aspect?

Can't answer most of your questions, just an observation, can say that there are plenty of retirement villages in NZ.

See Summerset Retirement Villages (http://www.summerset.co.nz/home.php) for an example and what they offer.

Ian

[Nick88]

You can also have a look at Ryman Healthcare

http://www.rymanhealthcare.co.nz/public/

They don't quote specific prices cos individual requirements vary, but you can access the prices of the units.

[migratory birds]

I hope someone is in the know about how NZ as a country cares for its elders/retirees/pensioners. I asked this question awhile back and don't recall getting much of a response.

The question doesn't necessarily need to come from a place of worry.

It's a great question - esp if you plan to live in NZ for the rest of your life. You know what it looks like to grow old in the UK, I know what it looks like to grow old in the US...but neither of us has an idea of the country we're emigrating to.

How a country cares for/treats it's elders and provides for the basic needs of all it citizens is, in my opinion, a sign of its maturity as a country. With more developed/mature countries doing a pretty good job of caring for its elders, children, homeless, mentally ill in terms of housing/food/medicine.

[lockstock]

We've already picked out our gated retirement apartment!! Near the hospital just in case. Nothing like forward planning.

[Sam B]

Well, I've brought my kids with me, and I'm secretly hoping they're going to devote their middle age to slaving and caring for my every old age need. Ha ha...

[jackie m]

Well, I've brought my kids with me, and I'm secretly hoping they're going to devote their middle age to slaving and caring for my every old age need. Ha ha... So true Sam thats exactly what we have said:D
Jackie x

[JWR]

I've checked into this, and good news, as an old person you do have the choice of being buried or cremated, and better still, you don't have to wait until you are dead. NZ is so progressive. You can be bungied into a hole or into a fire, your choice. NZ sounds great!

[Mickstim]

I've checked into this, and good news, as an old person you do have the choice of being buried or cremated, and better still, you don't have to wait until you are dead. NZ is so progressive. You can be bungied into a hole or into a fire, your choice. NZ sounds great!

I am soooooooooo relieved!! :laugh :laugh

[Tui2too]

I've checked into this, and good news, as an old person you do have the choice of being buried or cremated, and better still, you don't have to wait until you are dead. NZ is so progressive. You can be bungied into a hole or into a fire, your choice. NZ sounds great!


:laugh :laugh :laugh

still laughing with tears streaming! thanks for that this morning!! :laugh

on a more serious note...OH (also a cautious one) recently turned down a nz job opp because it didn't pay enough for us to also save for retirement. The nz version of old age security seems to pay alot more than what oldsters get here in canada though, but one would still want their retirement savings too. I've also just discovered online shopping at foodtown nz and think that is one more reason to immigrate! Imagine being elderly/unable to drive anymore/or walk around a grocery store and being able to order up your groceries online--WOW! that is something that just doesnt exist here in canada. Throw into the mix the great nz climate and I think growing old where you won't fall and slip on the ice or be shut in for six months of the year due to extreme winter---sounds like a great place to grow old!---and then bungee down!

[kanatakiwi]

For all the info on who qualifies, and what you get on NZ Superannuation have a look here:
http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/get-assistance/main-benefit/nz-superannuation.html
Looks like about $1100 per month for a single and $1600 per month for a couple (after tax)

For Tui2too, Canada Pension and Old Age Pension for a single person add up to (average rate) $956 or (Maximum allowed) $1386 a month. Converted to NZ dollars thats $1225 (average) and $1776 (maximum) so pretty comparable.
plus there is no RRSP here.

[migratory birds]

Thanks, kanatakiwi - that's exactly the information I was looking for.

How about housing and health care for elders who are no longer able to live independently? Are the options as dismal as they are here in the US (so many are horribly depressing places where elders while away their days, each day passing as dully in the next, with no meaningful engagement with others or the outside world, commercial/hospital-quality nutrition, oversight of bodily care needs, etc.)