Eldernet

11/10/2026

Feeling connected and having a place where we belong can make a real difference to our mental wellbeing. 💛

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme is Belonging Matters.

Ko au ko koe, ko koe ko au | I am you, and you are me.

As we get older, changes such as retirement, losing someone close or moving home can affect our social connections. A catch-up with a friend, a shared meal or being part of a local group can help us stay connected. Continuing our hobbies and making time for the things we enjoy matters too. These can bring us pleasure, a sense of purpose and opportunities to connect with others.

We asked our team what they do to look after their mental wellbeing. There were plenty of shared favourites:

🍲 Enjoying good food and good company.
🐶 Spending time with dogs, friends and good people.
🌿 Gardening, walking in the forest or spending time at the beach.
📚 Getting lost in a good book.
🎨 Making time for art, paint by numbers or diamond art.
🎵 Listening to music or playing the piano.
☕ Sitting quietly with a coffee and taking a few slow breaths.
✍️ Journaling and making time for yourself.
👟 Going for a run, a walk or a swim.

Sometimes we need connection, and sometimes we need a quiet moment to ourselves. Maybe one or two of these ideas will resonate with you.

What helps you look after your mental health and feel connected? Let us know in the comments.

09/10/2026

We’ll be at the SWELL Seniors’ Lifestyle Expo next Tuesday, 13 October! 👋

Come along to Lincoln Event Centre between 9am and 2pm. Entry is free, and there’ll be plenty to explore, with community groups, activities and services for older people.

Stop by the Eldernet stand for a chat and pick up a free Where from here – He Ara Whakamua book and bookmark. 📚

We’d love to see you there!

Find out more:
https://www.selwyn.govt.nz/news-And-events/swell-seniors-lifestyle-expo

07/10/2026

Yesterday, Eldernet Director Esther Perriam spoke at the Next Step Living event with Professionals Christchurch, sharing her refreshingly frank and informative perspective on the options available as we get older.

One key takeaway: plan ahead. Know your options, think about what matters to you and make your wishes clear to those around you.

That includes putting enduring powers of attorney in place well before they’re needed.

These conversations aren’t always easy, but starting them early gives you time to consider your choices and helps those close to you understand what you want.

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07/10/2026

Our new 2026–2027 Upper North Island and Lower North Island editions of Where from here – He Ara Whakamua are here! 📚

Updated each year, these books are packed with information to help older people and their families explore their options, including:

🏡 Services and advice to help you thrive in your own home.
🌿 Information about moving into a retirement village, plus all the villages in your region.
💛 What you need to know about residential care, including costs, care options and homes in your region.

Request a copy for yourself or someone you know who would benefit:
https://www.eldernet.co.nz/where-from-here

Work with older people in a community organisation? We’d love to help you share these resources. Email [email protected] to request copies to hand out.

05/10/2026

It’s Cyber Smart Week! 🔐

We all know someone who has fallen for a scam! They affect people of any age. Knowing what to look for can help you protect your information and feel more confident online.

Take some time to read the attached image from Own Your Online for tips on protecting your accounts, personal information and devices. Even small changes, like turning on automatic updates or pausing before clicking a link, can make a difference.

Want to learn more? Their webinar series includes a session especially for older New Zealanders:

💻 How to spot scams and stay safe online
📅 Tuesday 6 October, 1–2pm

Join speakers from Age Concern and SeniorNet to learn about common scams, warning signs and ways to protect yourself.

Find out more and register:
https://www.ownyouronline.govt.nz/news-and-alerts/cyber-smart-week-2026-webinar-series/

Share this with someone who might find it helpful.

04/10/2026

Music and theatre can help us see dementia through someone else’s eyes. 💜

Inicio Healthcare Charitable Trust is bringing A Box of Memories to Q Theatre in Auckland from 22–25 October 2026 for its New Zealand premiere.

Following Lizzy, her daughter and her doctor, this moving musical explores living with dementia through compassion, humour and hope.

See the original post below for details and booking information.

A Box of Memories is an award winning musical that explores what it means to live with dementia. The show centres Lizzy, a woman navigating the gradual changes to her memory, identity and sense of self; Sonia, her daughter, who is struggling to reconcile care, grief and family responsibilities; and Jeremy, the Doctor who supports Lizzy's journey amidst the endless demands of the healthcare system.
The work offers a deeply human portrait of dementia and its impact on individuals, families and carers.
Presented by Inicio HCT.
Don't miss your chance to see this celebrated musical 🎶🎶
Book you tickets through Q Theatre now!
https://www.qtheatre.co.nz/shows/box-memories



🎶

02/10/2026

Trying to find a dementia care home can feel overwhelming—especially when the need has become urgent.

Eldernet lists every residential care home in New Zealand, helping you see and compare the options available in one place.

You can search by region or local area, filter the results to show homes providing dementia-level care, and choose whether to view all suitable homes or those reporting a current vacancy.

Each listing includes more information about the care home, including its reported vacancy status, whether short stays may be considered, accommodation charges and contact details.

Vacancies can change quickly, and an available room does not necessarily mean a home can meet someone’s individual needs. Always contact the care home directly to confirm availability, discuss the person’s assessment and arrange a visit where possible.

Watch the video to see how to search, then begin exploring dementia care options here:
https://www.eldernet.co.nz/residential-care/vacancies/dementia-care-secure

01/10/2026

AI attacks are getting smarter, faster, and harder to spot. Cyber criminals aren't just targeting computers, they're targeting people.

Cyber Smart Week kicks off next week, 5-11 October. Follow to learn more tips to build cyber-smart habits and strengthen your cyber resilience.

You can also regsiter for one of their free webinars
https://www.ownyouronline.govt.nz/news-and-alerts/cyber-smart-week-2026-webinar-series

30/09/2026

Today is International Day of Older Persons

To mark the day, we interviewed the mother-in-law of one of our team.

Cathrine, 77, is an avid gardener and reader, a much-loved, hands-on Grannie and mother, a member of many social groups, a fabulous knitter and an avoider of plastics.

As we’ve been sharing dementia awareness posts, it was lovely to hear about the ways Cathrine keeps active, connected and involved in the things she loves.

Here she shares her thoughts on getting older and what she’s looking forward to.