The Aged Care Association said that there is a growing concern that the shortage of available beds has relocated dementia patients.
Recent reports that dementia patients having to be moved out of their communities due to a lack of available beds has reflected a growing reality now being experienced in regions across New Zealand, according to the Aged Care Association.
The Association said this is not an isolated situation, but a clear signal of systemic capacity pressures.
“In the past week, we have been made aware of similar situations occurring in Nelson,” said Tracey Martin, Chief Executive of the Aged Care Association.
“These cases mirror what has already been reported publicly, older people reaching a predictable stage in their dementia journey, but with no appropriate care options available close to home.”
In one situation brought to the Association’s attention, an older person living in residential care has progressed to a stage of dementia where wandering has become a serious safety risk. Despite careful management by staff, the individual has been found leaving the facility and entering unsafe environments.
“This is not a behavioural issue, it is a predictable clinical progression of dementia,” Martin said.
“When the right level of care is unavailable locally, older people, families, and providers are all placed in impossible positions.”
The Association has also been advised of a second situation in Nelson involving an individual whose dementia has progressed to psychogeriatric levels, including escalating paranoia and violence. They understand there are currently no appropriate psychogeriatric beds available in the region to safely manage this level of need.
“In both situations, the only option being discussed is relocation, removing older people from their families, their communities, and the carers who know them, to wherever a bed can be found,” Martin said.
“That approach is already being questioned publicly, and rightly so.”
keep pace with predictable demand.
“Aged residential care is essential health infrastructure,” Martin said.
“Especially for older New Zealanders whose options are limited because they do not have the means to self-fund alternatives.”
Hospital performance is now directly dependent on aged-care capacity. When appropriate beds are unavailable, hospitals cannot discharge patients safely, contributing to delayed discharge and compounding pressure across the health system.
“We have a situation where demand is high and growing, but capacity has not grown with it,” Martin said.
“That pressure is not theoretical - it shows up as delayed discharges, unnecessary relocation, and people receiving care that does not match their needs.”
She added that the consequences are felt everywhere.
The Aged Care Association is calling for urgent, coordinated action to restore aged residential care as a viable and scalable part of New Zealand’s health system. This must include the establishment of a dedicated Aged Residential Care Infrastructure Grant Fund, modelled on Australia’s Aged Care Capital Assistance Program (ACCAP), which provides targeted grants to build, extend, or upgrade aged care services, including staff accommodation, in regions where access is limited or non-existent.
“Without deliberate infrastructure investment, we will continue to see older people moved away from their communities and hospitals placed under increasing strain.”
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