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The glossary enables you to look up aged care terms you may be unfamiliar with. Use the letters below to jump to the word or abbreviation you are interested in.
ACAT assessment
An ACAT assessment is an assessment of your care needs which is carried out by one or more members of your local Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). ACAT members would visit you in your home or in hospital to talk with you about what services you may need and what is available in your area.Read more: About being assessed
see the detailed definition
Accommodation bond
Residents with sufficient assets who require low (hostel) level care or who enter an extra service place may be asked to pay a bond.Accommodation charge
Residents with sufficient assets who require high (nursing home) level care (but not on an extra service basis) may be asked to pay an accommodation charge.Accommodation payments
On entering permanent residential aged care, you may be asked to make an accommodation payment (either an accommodation bond or an accommodation charge) if you have sufficient assets. Only aged care homes that are certified can charge accommodation payments. Service providers are required to keep a number of places for people who cannot be asked for an accommodation payment.Read more: About accommodation payments
see the detailed definition
Accreditation audit
An accreditation audit is an on-site assessment of the quality of care provided by an aged care home. The quality of care is measured against the Accreditation Standards set out in the Aged Care Act 1997.see the detailed definition
Accreditation standards
The Accreditation Standards are standards, specified in the Aged Care Act 1997, that approved providers of publicly-subsidised aged care homes must meet before they can receive public funding.Read more: About accreditation
see the detailed definition
Accreditation status
Accreditation status is whether or not a home is accredited. Accreditation is the arrangement established to verify that aged care homes provide quality care and services. Homes are accredited for a set period of time up to a maximum of three years. Accreditation status can be varied at any time if there is a risk to the health, safety or well-being of residents.Read more: About accreditation
see the detailed definition
Advocacy Services
Advocacy Services' is an independent, confidential service provided free of charge in each state and territory. If you receive Australian Government-subsidised aged care services, Advocacy Services can help you to exercise your rights by representing you, and providing information, advice and support to you, your carer, your family or your friends.Read more: About how to make a complaint
Advocate
An advocate is a person who supports and represents another person in their dealings with others.Age Pension
The Age Pension is a Centrelink payment which ensures that people who have reached retirement age have adequate income for their retirement.Read more: Government help
see the detailed definition
Aged Blind Pensioner
Blind pensioners are people who receive an Aged Blind Pension from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs. The Aged Blind Pension is not means-tested for pension purposes. However, it is counted as income when income-tested fees for residential aged care are assessed.Read more: Aged Blind Pensioner
Aged care
Aged care is the personal care and/or nursing care provided to frail older Australians and their carers to facilitate independence, good health and wellbeing. Aged care is delivered through two main programs: residential aged care and community care.Aged Care Act 1997
The Aged Care Act 1997 is the Commonwealth legislation that allows public funding to be provided for aged care.Read more: Aged Care Act 1997
Aged Care Assessment Team
Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs) are teams of health professionals who conduct assessments of older people to assist them to gain access to the types of services most appropriate to meet their care needs.Read more: About being assessed
see the detailed definition
Aged Care Commissioner
The role of the Aged Care Commissioner includes investigating straightforward or complex complaints from people who believe they have been unfairly treated by the aged care Complaints Investigation Scheme.Aged Care Information Line
The Aged Care Information Line provides information about Australian Government-funded residential aged care, and support and programs for older people in the community. Phone 1800 500 853.Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency
The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency is an independent company established in 1997 under corporations law, and subject to the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997. It was appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Ageing as the 'accreditation body' under Section 80-1 of the Aged Care Act 1997.Ageing in place
Some aged care homes offer both low-level care and high-level care, which allows a person to remain in the same home even if their care needs increase. Ageing in place is the term used to describe this provision of care.Read more: About ageing in place
Allied health services
Allied health services include a range of therapies offered by qualified practitioners, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology and diversional therapy.Read more: About allied health care
Alzheimer’s Australia
Alzheimer's Australia (Alzheimer's Australia and related disorders Inc) is the national peak body for people living with dementia, their carers and families.see the detailed definition
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative illness that affects the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a build up of particular proteins in the brain. This build up blocks the brain cells and affects the ability to learn and remember. It is the most common form of dementia.see the detailed definition
Application form
To apply for a place in an aged care home you may wish to complete a standard application form which is part of the '5 Steps to Entry to Residential Aged Care' pack. However, some homes may require you to complete their own forms.Read more: About applying to a home
Approved Provider
Approved Providers are organisations approved by the Australian Government, to receive subsidies for the provision of aged care, services and accommodation to residents within an aged care home, or care and services to people in the community.Arthritis Australia
Arthritis Australia is the peak Australian organisation for arthritis with offices in every state and territory. It promotes community awareness of arthritis, provides support, advice and information to people with arthritis and their families, educates medical and health professionals and funds related research.Assets assessment
Centrelink and the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) carry out assets assessments to work out if you qualify for assistance with your aged care accommodation costs. The assessment will also help you to work out the amount that you may be asked to pay towards your accommodation costs (accommodation bond or accommodation charge) for permanent care in an aged care home.Read more: About assets assessments
see the detailed definition
Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged
There is also a program known as Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA). This program supports frail, low-income, older people who are renting, in insecure housing arrangements, or who are homeless. The program helps them to remain in the community by helping them into housing that is linked to community care.see the detailed definition
Assisted resident
An assisted resident is a person who qualifies for subsidised aged care accommodation costs, because they receive an Australian Government means-tested pension, have assets valued between 2.5 times and 4 times the basic aged pension amount, and have not owned a home in the past 2 years (unless the home is 'protected' ie excluded from the assessment).Read more: About compensational residents