Dr Helen Kenealy
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FRACP, MBChB, BHB
Chief Clinical & Risk Officer, Metlifecare

Helen is a dual-trained Geriatrician and General Physician with over 20 years of experience in both public and private sectors. Prior to moving to Metlifecare she worked as a Consultant Specialist at Counties Manukau Hospital, Auckland working across the Community Geriatric Service, inpatient Rehabilitation and Orthogeriatrics as well as in the Acute Medical Assessment Unit. In the private sector Helen enjoyed seeing private patients at the Greenlane Medical Specialist Centre which included ACC case reviews, immigration reviews and medical expert reports on matters of capacity. She is a trained Quality Improvement Advisor and served a term as the Ministry of Health appointed Clinician representative on the InterRAI Governance Board member. 

 Helen oversees the high quality clinical care the Metlifecare provides to it’s residents in rest home, hospital and Dementia level care across the motu with 27 co-located care homes totally ~1200 available beds. This role oversees the Health and Safety portfolio which covers the wide range of risks from construction sites to manual handling of residents as well as psychosocial wellbeing of employees. ​

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Demystifying ORAs or Care Suites in ARC
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This presentation aims to clarify two key concepts in New Zealand’s aged residential care landscape: Premium Accommodation Costs (PAC) and Occupation Rights Agreements (ORAs). As the demand for quality residential care grows, understanding the structure, costs, and legal implications of these models is vital for older adults, their families, and health professionals. PAC refers to enhanced accommodation or services within aged residential care—such as superior rooms, en-suites, or lifestyle amenities—funded by an additional daily fee. These offerings reflect a growing shift toward consumer choice and comfort in later life. Occupation Rights Agreements (ORAs) underpin the legal and financial framework for living in a retirement village and care home, granting residents the right to occupy a unit rather than own it outright. ORAs define residents’ rights, responsibilities, and refund entitlements upon exit. Drawing on insights from current industry practices, this presentation will summarise the differences between PAC and ORA models, their regulatory context, and their implications for care delivery and affordability. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how these mechanisms shape resident experiences and future directions in New Zealand’s premium aged care environment.​