Jocelyn and Don Cowey, the owners of Redcliffs Rest Home have lived in smog-free Redcliffs since 1954 and have always enjoyed the seaside village atmosphere. The 40 bed, single storey Rest Home was built on the family property in 1992.

From the beginning, the emphasis has been on the highest quality of safety, service, and accommodation. Easy access to and from the garden walks outside, generous sized warm, safe bedrooms clustered in groups around sitting areas and highly professional caring staff all help to give our Rest Home a great atmosphere. We recognise that the needs of older people change so our care policy and our facilities are under continual review.

On Going Enhancement
During the first five years of operation we received increasing numbers of enquiries for rooms with ensuites. Residents were also increasingly dependent on walking frames giving over-crowding in the original dining room.

In September 2000 major structural alterations were made to the original building and a new entry, kitchen and dining room. Three bedrooms had ensuites added and two ensuited bedrooms were also built. In 2001 four more bedrooms were altered to provide ensuites. In 2002 adding outward opening doors enhanced two bedrooms. Regular, progressive repainting of rooms and upgrading of furniture is carried out. Replacement of twenty of the original "motel" beds by hydraulic and electrical hospital beds, a new electric portable hoist, replacement of carpet and chairs has also progressively occurred over the years of operation.

In the spring/summer the views of the roses from our dining room become quite spectacular. The garden walks become more interesting also, with different areas bursting into colour. Residents with 'green fingers' transform part of the raised garden beds into a vegetable patch. Everybody will later enjoy the tomatoes and other fresh produce.

The tendency over the last few years has been for new residents in Redcliffs Rest Home, as in other rest homes in New Zealand, to be more frail and less independent than in previous years. This is largely due to the policy of encouragement of older people to stay in their own home situation until much later. A consequent effect has been that the majority of our residents need walking frames to assist them.

Our entrance being adjacent to the dining room was becoming crowded with walking frames, so in 2008 we have enlarged the entrance. We also took the opportunity to install automatic doors which make it easier for our residents and their visitors with access to and from the car-park.

We have Registered Nurses on duty daily, our resident Doctor visits weekly, our Physiotherapist visits weekly, our Podiatrist every 6 weeks and we ensure that our other Carers and special assistants are the most suitable for the individual needs of our Residents.

Computerised systems control an increasing part of the business aspects, making an efficient and flexible operation. We offer Residential long term and respite care for older people, as well as convalescent and rehabilitative care. By both limiting the size of the Home to 40 beds and promoting the warm values and relationships of the Management, we guard the family atmosphere of the Home. This is no large impersonal institution!

All our care-givers take part in a six week induction programme that covers the essentials of care in our home. All care-givers sign a training agreement with CSSITO and Health Ed Trust at the time of their induction to gain units standards with a pathway to the National Certificate. Those of our care-givers, who have not yet achieved the National Certificate, are assisted through the required standards to achieve their certificates by three ACE assessors on staff. All care-givers also attend various out-service education programmes, such as first-aid.

In-service programmes led by professional outside speakers covering various topics are also provided. All staff are encouraged to attend with four sessions per year being mandatory.

For further information please contact:
Ann Baycroft,
Nurse Manager

Redcliffs Rest Home 30 Raekura Place Christchurch 8081 New Zealand

Telephone: 03 384 4401 Facsimile: 03 384 4401 Email:

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