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Care fees and charges
There are different costs for low-level (hostel) and high-level (nursing home) care. The amount you are required to pay will also depend on your income and assets. Daily care fees contribute to the cost of your care.Read more: About the cost of aged care
see the detailed definition
Care plan
A care plan is a plan of care which is developed by you and the people providing your care (and a friend or family member if you wish). The plan will outline your care needs and will provide instructions as to how your care needs will be met.Care recipient
A care recipient is a person who is receiving care and support, either in the community in their own home or in an aged care home. Care may include support to take part in social activities, help with physical tasks and/or medical and personal care.Carer
Carers are usually family members or friends who provide support to children or adults who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or who are frail aged.Carer Allowance
Carer Allowance (adult) is a Centrelink supplementary payment for carers who provide daily care and attention for adults with a disability, a severe medical condition or who are frail aged at home. The Allowance may be paid in addition to other payments.Read more: Financial support
Carer Payment
Carer Payment (adult) is a Centrelink income support payment for people who are unable to support themselves through participation in the workforce, while they are caring for someone with a disability, a severe medical condition or who is frail aged.Read more: Financial support
Carer support groups
Carer support groups provide an opportunity for people with similar experiences to get together and learn from each other by sharing experiences, feelings, ideas, concerns, information and problems. They’re also a great way to take a break and socialise.Carers Australia
Carers Australia is a national association which represents carers of people with a disability, mental illness or chronic condition or those who are frail or aged. It also provides information, support, education, training and counselling.Centre-based day care
Centre-based day care refers to attendance/participation in structured group activities designed to develop, maintain or support the capacity for independent living and social interaction which are conducted in a centre-based setting. It also includes outings and day trips organised and conducted by a day care centre.Centrelink
Centrelink is an Australian Government agency which delivers a range of Commonwealth services to the Australian community. It is the Australian Government payment agency for pensions and benefits, excluding Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) pensions.Certification
Certification is an assessment process designed to improve the physical quality of publicly-subsidised residential aged care buildings, and includes improving fire safety and privacy and space requirements.Read more: About building quality
see the detailed definition
Charter of Residents’ Rights and Responsibilities
People receiving care in an aged care home have rights and responsibilities that are included under the Aged Care Act 1997, as the Charter of Residents Rights and Responsibilities.Read more: About the Charter of Residents’ Rights and Responsibilities
see the detailed definition
Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a system of healing: a system based on the theory that disease and disorders are caused by a misalignment of the bones, especially in the spine, that obstructs proper nerve functions.Chronic disease
Chronic diseases are long-term ongoing conditions which can occur at any stage in life, are more prevalent in older age, and lead to a gradual deterioration of health impacting on quality of life with physical limitations and disability. Examples include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, mental illness, osteoporosis. Many are preventable and treatable.Read more: About chronic diseases
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious, progressive and disabling disease. COPD involves the destruction of lung tissue and narrowing of the airways, causing breathlessness and fits of coughing. Exercise capacity is reduced. Cigarette smoking almost always causes COPD. Its main pattern is known as emphysema, although if coughing is a frequent feature the condition may also be labeled as chronic bronchitis.Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy helps people understand, manage and change their thoughts (cognitions) and actions (behaviour). This form of therapy is particularly effective if you have depression or anxiety.Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres provide a point of contact for the general public, carers, service providers, general practitioners and other health professionals to access information on carer support and respite services. Phone 1800 200 422 during business hours, or for emergency respite support outside standard business hours, call 1800 059 059.Community Aged Care Packages
Community Aged Care Packages (CACP) are individually planned and coordinated packages of care tailored to help older Australians with low-level care needs to remain living in their own homes. They are funded by the Australian Government to provide for the complex care needs of older people.Read more: About Community Aged Care Packages
Community care
Community Care is the provision of care and support for people who want to stay independent and living at home for as long as possible. This includes Home and Community Care (HACC) services, Community Aged Care Packages (CACP) and respite care services for carers.Community nursing and health centres
Nursing services are for frail older people who require nursing care from an enrolled nurse or registered nurse to improve or maintain their health and well-being.Read more: About community nursing and health centres
see the detailed definition
Community Partners Program
The Community Partners Program (CPP) allows aged care homes and culturally and linguistically diverse communities to work together to establish and maintain links between people living in aged care homes and their social, cultural and language networks.Complaints Investigation Scheme
The Complaints Investigation Scheme (phone 1800 550 552) is a free service which seeks to look into complaints that may be made about the health, safety and/or welfare of people receiving aged care. It is able to refer issues that may be more appropriately dealt with by others (eg police, nurses and medical registration boards). It is overseen by the Aged Care Commissioner (phone 1800 500 294).Concessional resident
A concessional resident who entered care for the first time prior to 20 March 2008, and has not re-entered care on or after 20 March 2008 after a break of more than 28 days qualifies for subsidised aged care accommodation costs because they receive an Australian Government means tested pension, have assets below 2.25 times the basic single aged pension amount, and have not owned a home in the past 2 years (unless the home is 'protected' ie excluded from the assessment) at the time of entry to care.Concessional resident supplements
A concessional resident supplement is paid by the Australian Government to aged care homes on behalf of residents who do not have the ability to contribute to all or part of the cost of their accommodation through an accommodation bond or accommodation charge.Conditional Adjustment Payment
As part of the 2004-05 Budget package, a Conditional Adjustment Payment (CAP) was introduced. The intention of this payment is to assist aged care providers through increased financial assistance, to continue to provide high quality care.The CAP will be conditional on providers encouraging staff to undertake training, publishing audited financial statements and participating in periodic workforce surveys.
Continence
Continence is the ability to exercise voluntary control over the bladder and/or bowel.Read more: About incontinence
Continence Aids Assistance Scheme
The Continence Aids Assistance Scheme (CAAS) provides assistance to people who have permanent and on-going incontinence due to a permanent condition. CAAS provides clients with subsidised continence products up to a certain value per year. There are age and condition requirements linked to this Scheme. To find out more, contact the National Continence Helpline on 1800 330 066 (free call).Continence Foundation of Australia Resource Centres
The Continence Foundation of Australia Resource Centres actively promote continence through education, advocacy, and by providing resources. Continence health professionals located at the resource centres are trained to provide advice and information.Council on the Ageing (COTA)
COTA Over 50s Ltd is an independent national consumer organisation which represents the views of senior Australians to governments at all levels. Membership is largely institutional comprising the eight State and Territory Council on the Ageing (COTAs) and ARPA Over 50s Association.Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a relatively uncommon problem caused by ulcerative colitis.CT scan
A Computerised Tomography (CT) scan is a scan performed using an x-ray machine which is linked to a computer. A CT scan takes pictures in cross-sections of the body. The brain, spine, chest and abdomen are the most commonly scanned areas of the body. Bones and joints can also be imaged using this technique.Cultural and identified needs
The Australian Government recognises that older people who live in rural and remote areas, who come from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, or have experienced certain life impacting circumstances such as war service or financial disadvantage, may have particular cultural and identified care needs. Programs and services have been established to address those needs.Culturally appropriate care
Culturally appropriate care, as well as including the care available to all Australians, takes into account special needs arising from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.see the detailed definition