Aged Care Glossary

Aged Care
If you are an older person living in Australia then you may receive in home or residential care. This is personal and/or nursing care to support you to stay as independent and healthy as you can be. These services can also assist you if you’re caring for someone older.

Aged Care Act 2024
The Aged Care Act 2024 is the Commonwealth legislation that allows government funding to be provided for aged care services for older Australians.

Aged Care Assessment
When My Aged Care is evaluating your needs and eligibility, you may be visited by an assessor who will conduct a comprehensive face-to-face assessment.

Aged Care Needs Assessment Organisations
When you are applying for subsidised aged care, an assessor from an aged care needs assessment organisation will visit you to conduct a comprehensive assessment. They will decide if you require Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), Support at Home, or an aged care home.

Aged Care Client Record
Your Aged Care Client Record (ACCR) is the form completed by the assessor following your assessment. In includes information about your assessment and approval for you to receive funding through Support at Home, the Commonwealth Home Support Program, or move into an aged care home.

Aged Care Prioritisation System
If you are eligible to receive Support at Home funding, you will receive a prioritisation rating of High, Medium, or Standard, depending on your needs.

Aged care service
Aged care services are services that are designed to help you stay as independent as you can. You may be eligible to receive a subsidy from the Commonwealth Government to help cover the cost of aged care services, either through Support at Home or via the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (Commission)
An Australian Government statutory agency established under the Aged Care Act 2024 to ensure Australians receiving Australian Government subsidised aged care services receive a high quality of care.

Allied health support
If you have a minor health condition, allied health support services can assist you with services such as physiotherapy, speech pathology, occupational therapy, podiatry, nutrition and diet and exercise physiology.

Approved Provider
An approved provider is an organisation that has been approved to provide residential care, or homecare under the Aged Care Act 2024. LiveBetter is an approved provider. 

Assistive Technology
Assistive technology is the term used to describe the devices or equipment that help you live safely and independently at home and in your community, such as walking frames, shower chairs and personal alarms.

Care Management
Care management is a service delivered by an aged care services provider and involves planning and coordinating your suite of aged care services, checking in to ensure you are being well supported, and providing clinical advice, education and practical support where needed.

Carer
A carer is someone who provides care or support to a person, but they are unpaid. Carers are often family members or guardians.

Client Record
When you contact My Aged Care about access to aged care services, a contact centre staff member will create your Client Record. The client record will include your details (and carer or representative details), details about assessments and support plan, and information about service(s) received.

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is a government-funded service that provides low level support for everyday life.

Consumer Directed Care (CDC)
Consumer Directed Care recognises your rights to have control over the way in which you receive services. This gives you more flexibility when it comes to deciding on the care and support that best meet your personal needs, goals, and preferences. 

End of Life Pathway
The End-of-Life pathway provides support to anyone who has a life-limiting condition that shortens their life expectancy to 3 months or less, allowing them to stay at home for as long as possible.

Guardian
A guardian is a person entrusted by law to make decisions on behalf of another person who may be unable to make them for themselves.

Home Modifications & Maintenance
Home modifications and general home and yard maintenance can help to make your home safer and more secure, for example, installing bath rails and ramps, changing light bulbs, replacing tap washers, mowing lawns and removing rubbish.

Income-Tested Care Fee for Support at Home
Depending on your income, you may be required to contribute to the cost of your aged care services. This is assessed by the Department of Human Services.

My Aged Care
My Aged Care is a website (https://www.myagedcare.gov.au) and contact centre (1800 200 422) established by the Australian Government to help you navigate the aged care system by providing information to you, a family member, friend or someone you are caring for.  

Personal Care
Personal Care is all about helping you look after yourself, so you can continue to live independently at home.

Re-Assessment
If your needs or circumstances change significantly you may be re-assessed to identify any changes required to your existing support plan.

Referral Code
My Aged Care may provide you with referral codes that represent individual services recommended for you. You can refer to these codes when you are evaluating providers such as LiveBetter.

Registered Supporter

A Registered Supporter is someone you trust, like a family member, carer, or close friend, who is registered with My Aged Care, and can help you to make decisions, communicate with service providers, and understand your options.

Residential Care
Residential care is care provided in a residential facility or aged care home to people who can no longer continue to live at home. 

Respite care
Respite (also known as short term care) gives carers a short break. This break may be to attend to everyday activities, or it may be due to illness, work commitments, or emergencies. Respite care can be at home, centre based, or overnight. 

Restorative Care Pathway
The Restorative Care Pathway provides up to 12 weeks of support from allied health professionals to help you stay independent and well.

Service provider
A service provider is an organisation, such as LiveBetter, that receives funding in order to provide aged care services to older people.

Social support
Social support services can help prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation by helping you maintain an active social life via home visits, help with shopping and access to recreational activities and support groups in the community.

Statement of Aged Care Rights
If you are receiving a service as an aged care consumer, you have rights and responsibilities. These are outlined under the Aged Care Act 2024 and are called the Statement of Aged Care Rights. 

Support at Home
The Support at Home program provides subsidised services and supports that help you live independently at home. 

Support at Home services can include things like help with taking a shower, medication management, physiotherapy, social activities, meal preparation, housework and access to equipment and aids that make your life easier.