Rest home providers say they are struggling to provide respite care for the elderly because of inadequate funding by district health boards.
Respite beds are to support older New Zealanders living alone when needed or to enable a spouse or partner to have a break.
The Aged Care Association says some DHBs are funding rest homes, aged care hospitals and dementia units for the beds at a rate lower than for long-term care.
It says five DHBs offer the same rate as for longer-term care but others, such as Hawke's Bay and MidCentral, offer less.
Chief executive Martin Taylor that, and low usage of the beds, means many are not now available.
Mr Taylor says there should be one nationally consistent rate provided by all DHBs for respite care in rest homes.
