What is care planning at Bupa?
At Bupa, care planning is more than a clinical checklist; it’s intended to be a personalised roadmap for your health, wellbeing, and the life you want to lead.
Every plan begins by looking at the person as an individual: your medical needs, daily routines, hobbies, and cultural values. Our goal is to pay attention to what matters most to you, from how you like to start your mornings, to the activities that make your day meaningful.
How we create your care plan
Personalised assessment
Our care planning begins with a conversation with you and your family/whānau. A Bupa team member meets with you to learn about your health needs and social preferences, as well as practical support such as mobility aids or medical schedules, and what makes you feel most at home / what you enjoy doing day to day.
We keep our plans flexible - some people prefer a simple outline; others like to have more detail. Your plan is designed to fit your individual comfort and needs, not the other way around.
Family/whānau involvement
We recognise that your family/whānau knows you best. We invite family members to join these discussions so they can share insights about your routines, values, and preferences. Their input helps us create a care plan that feels familiar, informed and respectful - giving everyone confidence in the choices being made.
Reviews and adjustments
Life and health needs can change at any time, which is why we review your care plan regularly and update it should circumstances change – for example after a hospital stay, surgery, an injury or a change in mobility.
Options within a Bupa care plan
Respite care
Respite stays can offer a helpful short term option, whether you’re recovering after a hospital stay or a family caregiver needs a break. Respite care offers access to similar level of professional support as that of the permanent residents at the care home and can also provide insight into what moving to a care home long term would look like.
Permanent care
If your NASC assessment determines you need permanent care, we offer rest home, hospital, and dementia levels of care. Consistency and familiarity are key, which is why our teams aim to create a care plan that offers a smooth transition, so you feel settled and supported as soon as possible.
Specialist care and therapies
Our psychogeriatric (D6) care supports people with advanced dementia who may experience severe confusion, behavioural changes, or complex mental health needs. Care is provided in secure, welcoming care homes by a team of dementia-trained nurses and specialists, with personalised plans for each resident.
What’s included in your care at Bupa
Care can include:
- Meals
- Support with personal care
- Laundry
- Housekeeping
- Medication management
- Social activities
- Support team 24/7
Working out the financial side
Sorting out funding can feel complicated – we’re here to help. We can provide you information about what government subsidies may be available so you can check your eligibility, and what costs you can expect to cover yourself.
For personalised advice, we recommend speaking to an independent financial adviser who can help map out a clear pathway for your situation. While we don’t offer financial advice, our Bupa team members are here to help you find the right information.
Why family/whānau choose Bupa
At the heart of our approach is “Person First” care – which means that we strive to put the individual, not their diagnosis, at the centre of every decision.
Our goal is to understand your experiences, your feelings and your cultural needs, to enable us to deliver care that is built on kindness, dignity and understanding. For someone living with dementia, that might mean knowing the small daily routines that bring comfort, or helping to create a home-like environment that feels familiar and calming.
Family/whānau often tell us that this approach makes a real difference.
“The philosophy that Bupa has, which is ‘Person First, dementia second’ - they practise it. It’s almost just… ‘Person’. The dementia is something they skillfully manage underneath the day-to-day things.”
- Dianne, whose husband Billy received dementia level care at a Bupa care home.
“After a few short months, Dad was able to improve significantly. He went from not being able to move very much, to dancing down the hallway.”
- Nicole, speaking about her father Gary, who lived with cognitive decline and received dementia level care at a Bupa care home.
To better understand our Person First approach to care, you can watch Dianne and Nicole's stories, and other family/whānau stories here.
By combining empathy, routine, strong partnerships with family/whānau, and meaningful day to day activities, we aspire to help residents feel a sense of purpose and belonging, regardless of their level of care.
Taking the next step with Bupa
Planning for care is a big decision and can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Once your plan is in place, the next step is finding the care home that feels right for you or your family member. At Bupa, we make this process simple and supportive.
You can:
- Book a visit to your local care home and meet the team in person.
- Speak with a care home general manager who can answer your questions about daily routines, costs, and activities.
- Explore the Life at Bupa - Care Home page to learn more about what the day to day at Bupa looks like.
The best care decisions are made together, so we encourage you to take time to talk with family/whānau. When you are ready, we’ll be here to guide you through the next steps.