The terminology that is used by professionals within the aged care sector can be quite difficult to understand when heard for the first time. We have listed below some of the most commonly used terms and their definitions:

24-hour Monitored Supervision
Electronic call bell or intercom system which enables a resident to request assistance from a staff member.

24-hour On-Site Supervision
Qualified personal care staff or registered nurse on duty throughout a 24-hour period, actively supervising residents' needs.

ACAT Assessment
The ACAT carries out an assessment of an older person's care needs (usually in the person's home or in hospital) and to discuss what services are needed and available in the person's area.

Accommodation bond
An amount payable on entry to a low level care aged care home or for an extra service place (for low and high level care). Service providers must use the income derived from accommodation bonds to improve their building standards and the quality and range of the services they offer.

Accommodation charge
A daily charge, in addition to daily care fees, which may be payable on entry to a high level care home. It is a contribution by residents to their accommodation costs.

Accreditation
Accreditation is granted to residential aged care homes that comply with the Accreditation Standards under the Aged Care Act 1997. They are required to meet four standards and 53 outcomes for quality of care and quality of life in their provision of residential care. Residential aged care services must be accredited to receive Government funding.

Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)
An ACAT is made up of health professionals who carry out assessments of older people to help them access the types of services appropriate to their care needs. Older people be assessed for eligibility by an ACAT in order to access Government funded aged care services.

Ageing in Place
Some aged care homes offering both low and high level care provide Ageing in Place which allows a resident to remain in the same home if their care needs increase.

Booked Respite Program
The facility has at least one specific bed allocated to respite and eligible people can contact the facility to book respite in that bed in advance. A booking diary operates.

Communal Facilities
A range of amenities and services for residents, which may include such things as a community hall, bowling green, swimming pool, barbecue area or recreation centre.

Community Aged Care Packages (CACP)
Funded by the Australian Government, CACPs are individually planned and coordinated packages of care to help older people with low care (hostel level) care needs to remain living in their own homes.

Couples Accommodation
The facility has double or interconnected rooms, specifically designed or able to be converted for use by couples requiring residential care.

Diversional Therapy
The facility provides and organises chosen leisure and recreational activities as a form of therapy, which are designed to support and enhance the life of the residents, maximising their independence.

Ethnicity Specific
The majority of the facility’s residents are from one or more ethnic groups. Or, the facility caters specifically for people who are from one or more ethnic groups. Particular dietary requirements may be met, and ethnic traditions observed.

Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH)
Funded by the Australian Government, EACH packages are individually planned and provide coordinated services to people with high level(nursing home) care needs within their own home.

Extra service
Extra service aged care homes receive approval from the Commonwealth Government to offer a higher standard of accommodation, food and services for an additional charge (“hotel-type services”). The term ‘Extra Service’ only refers to the standard of accommodation, meals, food and entertainment and not to the level of care. It may be provided throughout the home or within a specific wing or section of the home.

Facility Pets
The facility has its own dog, cat, birds or other pets on site for the benefit of residents.

Facility Transport
The facility has its own transport such as a bus and driver for the use and benefit of residents.

General Dementia Care
The facility has residential care areas that cater for residents with dementia or similar behavioural related conditions in an environment that is not a secure dementia specific unit or wing.

High level care
Previously known as 'nursing home care', this is provided for ACAT assessed people who require almost complete assistance with most daily living activities. It includes accommodation, meals, laundry, room cleaning and personal care. Nursing staff at the aged care home manage the medical needs.

Inspect on Request
The facility is able to allow potential residents and their families to inspect the site and rooms when they make a formal request or appointment.

Low care facility
Previously known as 'hostel care', this is provided for ACAT assessed people who require accommodation, meals, laundry, room cleaning as well as help with personal care and possibly nursing care.

Minimum Age Considered
The facility has a policy of taking younger adults but their is a minimum age that they will consider. Some facilities can only accommodate people in their middle years ie; 40 to 60 yrs of age whilst other facilities cater to the much younger adult over the age of 18yrs

Multi Storey Building
The residential facility has residents rooms over more than one floor. This includes split level hillside sites.

Open Day
The facility organises groups of potential residents to view the site on a particular day of the week or month.

Palliative Care Program
The facility provides palliative care and actively encourages enquiries from people who require palliative care. The palliative care program provides pain relief, management of symptons, counselling and support to ensure the best possible quality of life for the resident.

Palliative Care RN
The facility has a dedicated Palliative Care Registered Nurse (RN) on staff who is fully trained in the provision of palliative care and fully aware of end of life issues and needs.

Placement Services
Professional fee-for service assistance to find the care option that best suits a client’s needs and to organise all of the relevant paperwork and arrangements necessary to secure a placement in either a community care program or residential aged care facility.

Registered Nurse Medication
A registered nurse is available to assist with residents medication needs on a daily basis.

Rehabilitation Program
The facility has a rehabilitation program or service and actively encourages enquiries from people requiring rehabiliation such as post acute for things such as strokes or joint replacements

Resident Funded
Any Unit, Villa or Apartment in a Retirement Village available for purchase or via a deposit or entry contribution

Residents Pets
The facility may be able to accommodate residents pets within the facility depending on the pet breed, size, or needs.

Respite Care
These services are designed to give carers a break from their caring role and can be arranged for planned breaks, regular weekly breaks, short holidays or emergencies. Services are available within the person's home, in a day care centre or in a residential care facility.

Rooms with Ensuites
There are private rooms available with ensuite bathroom facilities that may service one or two rooms.

Secure Dementia Care
The facility has a fully secure dementia care unit or wing exclusively and specifically for people with dementia or similar behavioural related conditions.

Secure Garden
The facility has a secure fenced garden area specifically designed for people with dementia and generally attached to the secure dementia unit.

Serviced Apartments
A Unit or Apartment for people who wish to live in a supported environment with services such as laundering, meals and cleaning provided on a fee for service basis.

Specialist Services
The facility offers other specialist services for example snozelen therapy, eden alternative or other.

Spouse without ACAT Approval
The Residential Facility allows the partner of a resident to live with them in the facility. This is usually in an unfunded bed and the partner will need to enter into a private payment arrangement with the facility.

Supported Living
Independent units, apartments or bedsitters within a community where support services are provided. These suppport services may be meals, cleaning, cooking, personal care or other assistance as required.

Supported Residential Facility (SRF)
An SRF may offer a similar service to that of a Commonwealth funded high or low level care facility but without the funding support. SRF's are state registered service providers.

Supported Residential Services (SRS)
An SRS may offer a similar service to that of a Commonwealth funded high or low level care facility but without the funding support. SRS's are state registered service providers.

Transition Care
Transition care provides short term support for older people after a hospital stay and can be delivered in either a residential or community setting. It is designed to optimise independence of older people to enables them to return home rather than enter residential care.

Transitional Care Program
The residential aged care facility provides interim care to older people with care needs who are in the transition between acute hospital care and living back in their home.

Tube Feeding
The staff at the residential aged care facility have the specialist knowledge to meet the needs of people who are fed via a nasogastric or PEG tube. Most high level care facilities offer this service and a few low level care facilities

Younger Adults
The residential aged care facility can meet the special needs of younger people who require nursing home or hostel level care due to brain injury or other debilitating condition.