What is a personalised action plan?
A personalised action plan outlines the support you or your family member may need, based on the findings of your needs assessment. The plan is designed to help you access the right services at the right time, whether that’s home-based support, respite care, or a move to permanent residential care.
Your action plan is created with your local NASC (Needs Assessment and Service Coordination) service, and takes into account your health needs, living situation, and personal preferences, helping you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Support from your NASC coordinator
Your local NASC (Needs Assessment and Service Coordination) service will work with you and your family to develop your personalised action plan. They’ll confirm what support services you’re eligible for, and provide a list of care homes in your area that can meet your needs, whether that’s rest home care, hospital care, or dementia level care.
They’ll also ask whether you have an enduring power of attorney in place, helping ensure important legal arrangements are identified early in the process.
Respite care or permanent care?
Your personalised action plan may include either respite care (short stay in a care home) or permanent care (long-term residential care) for people who need ongoing support. Your NASC coordinator will help you understand the difference between care levels, and what is best for you and your situation.
Budget planning for care
Before visiting care homes, it’s a good idea to get a clear picture of where you stand financially. Planning your care budget early can help you and your family feel more confident about your next steps — from understanding what subsidies you may be eligible for, to knowing what additional costs might arise and how to manage payment options.
Understanding care subsidies and funding
Your care needs, as identified during the needs assessment, will help determine both the level of care required and the potential costs involved. Depending on your personal and financial situation, you may qualify for a Residential Care Subsidy, which can help pay for long term care. You can check your eligibility, and apply, through the Work and Income NZ website.
To better understand the process, you can also find information about possible outcomes of a care subsidy application on the subsidies and funding page.
Self funding and government support options
If you're not eligible for a subsidy or only receive partial support, you may choose to self-fund your care using personal savings or other income.
In addition to the Residential Care Subsidy, other options for financial support include:
- NZ superannuation (e.g. single rate for the partner staying at home if eligible)
- Veterans Pension (e.g. single rate for the partner staying at home if eligible)
- Residential Care Loan
- Other entitlements relating to your circumstances
Your NASC coordinator or a financial adviser can help you explore which options are available.
Understanding care costs: What’s covered and what’s extra
Once you know the level of care needed, whether rest home, hospital or dementia level care, you’ll be able to explore what is typically included in care fees and what may come at an additional cost.
Typically, costs cover:
- Meals
- Assistance with personal care
- Laundry
- Housekeeping
- Medication management
- Social activities
- Support team 24/7
Additional services, such as hairdressing or specialist therapies, may incur an extra charge, unless it is part of your treatment plan and funded by Te Whatu Ora, Manatū Hauora (Ministry of Health NZ) or ACC.
Learn more about accommodation, care charges & payments at Bupa.
Next step: Choosing the right care home
With your personalised action plan in place, the next step is finding a care home that best suits your needs. Choosing a care home is a big decision, but you don’t have to make it alone. In the next step of your journey, we’ll guide you through how to compare care homes, what questions to ask, and how to find the right fit for you or your family member.
