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Glossary

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Sanction

Sanctions are penalties imposed by the Department of Health and Ageing on approved providers of aged care in cases of serious non-compliance with their legislated responsibilities.

see the detailed definition

Security of tenure

Security of tenure is the security, or legal right of occupation, that a person has when a place in an aged care home is accepted.
Read more: About security of tenure

Self-funded retiree / non-pensioner

People who fund their own retirement and don't receive any Australian Government means-tested pensions are known as self-funded retirees, and sometimes as non-pensioners.
Read more: Non-pensioner or self-funded retiree

Self-management programs

Self-management programs for chronic diseases provide support for people managing their chronic illness, usually by assisting them to change their behaviour in ways that will improve their health.

Seniors Portal

The Seniors Portal is the Australian Government website for people over 50, and provides a single point of access to information about useful services and support from over 300 Government and non-Government organisations.

Separated due to ill health

There are some situations where, for pension purposes, Centrelink would treat you as a single person even if you are married or in a relationship. If a couple is separated because of illness, each person may be able to be paid at the single pension rate.

see the detailed definition

Shadowing

Shadowing is a common anxious behaviour– where people with dementia follow the carer closely around the house like a shadow.

Short-term care

There are two main types of short-term care available – respite care and transition care.
Read more: About respite care
Read more: About transition care

Sickness Allowance

The Sickness Allowance is a Centrelink payment for people who are employed but are temporarily unable to work due to a medical condition.

Social leave

All permanent residents of aged care homes are entitled to 52 nights away from the home without having to pay extra fees. This is known as social leave.

Specified care and services

An aged care home is obliged to provide a range of care and services to residents at no additional cost to them. The care and services must be provided in a way which meets the requirements of the Aged Care Act 1997 including the Accreditation Standards. This range of care and services is known as specified care and services.
Read more: care and services you can expect

see the detailed definition

Speech therapy

Speech therapy is the profession that provides information and assistance to people with speaking disorders, stroke related problems, hearing related disorders and swallowing problems.
Read more: Speech therapy

Statutory Declaration

A Statutory Declaration is a written statement declared to be true in the presence of an authorised witness. A person wishing to use a statutory declaration in connection with a law of the Commonwealth, the Australian Capital Territory or certain other Territories must make the declaration in accordance with the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (the Act).

Stress incontinence

Stress incontinence is a small leak of urine associated with a physical activity such as coughing, laughing, physical exertion or getting up and bending over. The cause is weak pelvic floor muscles and exercising these muscles can help.

Sundowning

Sundowning is when people with dementia become more confused, restless or insecure late in the afternoon or early evening. It can be worse after a move or a change in their routine. They may become more demanding, restless, upset, suspicious, disoriented and even see, hear or believe things that aren’t real, especially at night. Attention span and concentration can become even more limited. Some people may become more impulsive, responding to their own ideas of reality that may place them at risk.

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