Closed borders, lack of funding, and staff shortages have all come to a head and created the perfect storm.

New Zealand officially has an 'Aged-Care Crisis'.

Retirement Homes, Lifestyle Villages, and Aged Care Facilities are incredibly short-staffed, and the aging population struggles to find a place to live.

A survey released last month by Aged Care Matters, formed by members of the New Zealand Aged Care Association, found if current levels of Government funding continued, 47 per cent believed they would be very unlikely to build new beds within the next year

A total of 35 per cent said that in the next 12 months, they would likely have to close aged-care facilities.

Due to severe staffing shortages, the aged care and retirement village sector is in crisis, with 1,000 beds being closed in the past six months alone.

Foreign nurses that the sector relies heavily on, aren't part of the new fast-track residency scheme and can't be enticed in that way.

Under this new Visa Initiative, to date, seven nurses have been approved to move to New Zealand….7! That’s how dire things are.

Across the nation, hospital-level services are being suspended because the sector cannot attract nurses, which means some people had to move to another region for care, or families are left with no choice but to take in their elderly family members and care for them themselves.

Rural areas and the regions are particularly struck because, to begin with, they don't have large retirement villages or aged care facilities to accommodate the aging population.

There are 83,000 people aged over 85. In 2050, that number will be 383,000.

All of the above can be a little bit unsettling if you are in a situation where you need to house a loved one.

How can HouseMe help?

An emerging solution to the problem is to keep the elderly relative close by placing a tiny home or transportable onto the family property. This can be either a permanent or semi-permanent dwelling that can be removed and relocated later.

A transportable unit or tiny home is a brand new home that can be moved onto any backyard or property where there is space and access.

Adding a small dwelling near a relative's home provides a low-cost way of looking after an elderly family member as they become more dependent on others. It can also offer peace of mind to have them nearby, knowing they're safe and that help is on hand if they need it. The Grandkids will also love it.

HouseMe transportable homes are fully functioning units with a built-in bathroom and kitchen facilities, which can help those living in the home keep their independence. Some can even sleep two people comfortably.

• Units can be built and hand-delivered to the site in 16 weeks.
• Custom options, such as benchtops, vinyl, and carpet, can be added to make it feel more like home.
• They are low-maintenance and easy to get around.
• They have a CCC and are built to NZ Building Code standards.
• Prices range from $65,000 to $129,500 incl. GST - Very Affordable.

Click the button here to discover our range of transportable dwellings and find the perfect one for your elderly relative.

We have show homes in three North Island locations for you to view. Bring the family along and see if HouseMe is the right fit for you.