What Makes Us Different?

Activities Programme
Aranui Home and Hospital is run by nurse general manager Marlena Quinton who has had a great deal of experience working with the elderly. Her belief is that life shouldn't stop just because someone moves into a rest home, so she and her staff help residents live it to the fullest.

Residents are encouraged to get involved in the wide variety of intellectual, social and physical activities organised for Aranui residents. The home owns a mini-bus, which is frequently in use to take clients on excursions to places such as Waitakere ranges, Mission Bay, Western Springs, the airport and concerts or just down to the mall for morning tea and shopping.

A round-robin competition with folk from other homes is popular with Aranui's residents.

For those preferring to stay closer to Aranui, the ever-changing activities programme includes reminiscence groups, bowls, crafts, gardening, sit-dancing, crosswords, quizzes or one-on-one pampering from the massage therapist or the on-site hairdresser. There are church services each Sunday and a podiatrist makes regular visits. Musicians often visit Aranui to entertain the clients and also schools and church groups are regular visitors to the home.

A monthly newspaper keeps residents and staff informed of goings-on, while the home frequently receives visits from four-footed friends thanks to close ties with the SPCA.

>> Click here to see one of our Activity Timetables

Staff
Aranui employs 70 staff, 30 of whom are on-site at any one time. These include five activity staff, a physiotherapist, a clinical co-ordinator / charge nurse, a quality-control registered nurse, a health and safety co-ordinator, an educator and sundry caregivers and support personnel. Many are long-time employees, some of whom have worked at Aranui for upwards of 15 years!

The caregiving staff at Aranui are all strongly encouraged to take part in professional development courses and are involved in the Aged Care Education Programme.

Aranui has a current Safety Management Practice ACC certification.

Assessments
Each person moving into Aranui receives a thorough assessment when they arrive. This covers not only their health and what they are able and unable to do, but also their likes and dislikes.

Visitors
Friends and relatives of residents are welcome at Aranui every day between 8:00am and 8:00pm and are encouraged to enjoy the extensive gardens. The roses are a particular favourite and visitors often enjoy the shade of the home's massive jacaranda tree. With four residents' lounges, the conservatory and outdoor courtyard, there is plenty of space for residents to quietly enjoy the company of their visitors.

Security
Security is always a priority with elderly people and at Aranui all external doors are equipped with a keypad-coded lock. This ensures residents are not able to wander off the premises unnoticed or unescorted. The home is fully fenced.

Laundry and kitchen
Residents at Aranui have all their laundry needs taken care of, and the in-house kitchen staff prepare delicious, nutritious meals on the premises. This ensures all special dietary needs of residents are catered for. A dietician oversees and approves the menus, providing hands-on quality control and tasty, home cooking.

Physiotherapy Service
We have a qualified contracted physiotherapist who works two days per week and a physiotherapy assistant who works five days per week at Aranui. All residents are assessed on admission and an exercise regime or rehabilitation plan is put into place to accommodate their needs. Physiotherapy assessments are also frequently carried out on residents as the needs levels change.

Hairdresser Service
We have a contracted hairdresser who frequents our facility three days per week. We are also equipped with a salon, making it easy for residents to still remain independent with the ease of appointments and a friendly atmosphere.

Special occasions
Everyone at Aranui loves a good party and the staff ensure there are plenty of these! The home celebrates Guy Fawkes, Christmas and Easter every year with additional events including garden parties and talent quests.

Family / Whanau Room
Used by residents and family members frequently.

Conservatory
This lovely sunny room looks out onto the courtyard and is used by residents and family members to have lunch together or just to sit and relax in the sun. It is equipped with a residents' phone line which enables residents and family members to phone loved ones with ease.