NZS 8134 + HDC Code of Rights + PPPR Act 1988
Dementia care in NZ aged care — obligations and best practice
Residents living with dementia have the same rights as all residents. Their care requires specialist understanding of capacity, communication, and behaviour. Here are the key obligations.
📋 NZS 8134:2021 + HDC Code of Rights — person-centred dementia care
Rights don't disappear with dementia
All 10 rights under the HDC Code of Rights apply to residents with dementia — dignity, respect, effective communication, and the right to make choices. Dementia does not extinguish legal rights.
Capacity and consent
Decision-specific — not binary
A person with dementia may have capacity for some decisions but not others. Assess capacity for each specific decision at the time it needs to be made. When capacity is absent, decisions are made by their welfare guardian or EPA holder for personal care and welfare (PPPR Act 1988).
Person-centred care
- Document the person's life history, preferences, and what matters to them
- Use their preferred name and communication style
- Maintain routines matching their former life where possible
- Involve family in care planning and day-to-day decisions
- Adapt care approaches when behaviour changes before defaulting to restraint
Responsive behaviour
Behaviour is communication
Assess for underlying causes (pain, infection, unmet need, environmental trigger). Document triggers. Develop individual behaviour support plans. Use non-pharmacological approaches first. Review any psychotropic medication regularly with the prescriber.
Communication tips
- Simple, clear language — one sentence at a time
- Allow extra processing time
- Don't argue with or correct statements about the past
- Address the emotion before the content when someone is distressed
Wandering and elopement
Individual risk assessments and management plans for at-risk residents. Controls: electronic wandering alerts, secured garden access, appropriate supervision. If a resident elopes: call Police immediately and follow your missing person protocol.
Source: NZS 8134:2021; HDC Code; PPPR Act 1988. Dementia NZ:
dementia.nz. General guidance only.
Frequently asked questions
Can a resident refuse personal care?
Yes — if they have capacity in that moment. Use non-pharmacological approaches to gain cooperation. Never force care without consent — document everything.
What is an EPA for personal care?
An Enduring Power of Attorney for personal care and welfare — only activates when the person lacks capacity. Keep a copy on file.
Can GPS tracking be used?
Yes with informed consent from the resident or EPA holder. Must be documented, least restrictive option, reviewed regularly.
What if family disagree with the care approach?
Involve them in behaviour support planning. Escalate to clinical manager if needed. Consider an independent advocate.