Governa Glossary

A full pensioner is someone who qualifies for and receives the maximum government pension without reductions, helping cover living expenses, aged care, and essential services.

Learn how aged care standards support socially and financially disadvantaged elderly individuals, ensuring dignity, proper care, and a better quality of life.

Flexible care in aged care offers adaptable, personalized support—including short-term restorative, transitional, and innovative care options—to meet changing needs while maintaining independence and quality of life.

Financial hardship provisions provide government assistance to eligible older Australians struggling to afford aged care costs, potentially reducing or covering fees for basic care, accommodation, and means-tested charges.

Dementia care facilities provide secure, structured environments with specialized support, tailored activities, and 24/7 supervision to enhance safety and quality of life for those with memory loss.

Extra or additional optional services in aged care offer personalized enhancements—such as upgraded amenities, specialized therapies, and leisure activities—to improve comfort, enjoyment, and quality of life beyond standard care.

Ex-prisoners of war (Ex-POWs) in aged care require sensitive, trauma-informed support that acknowledges their past suffering, respects their triggers, and prioritizes their emotional and physical well-being with dignity.

An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) is a legal document that allows a trusted person to manage your financial and legal affairs if you become unable to do so, ensuring your decisions are respected as you age.

End-of-life care in aged care focuses on comfort, dignity, and respecting individual wishes through advance planning, palliative support, and grief assistance.

Domestic help provides professional assistance with household chores and personal care, helping older adults maintain a safe and comfortable home while preserving their independence.

A discharge plan is a coordinated care strategy that ensures safe transitions from hospital or aged care by outlining medical needs, support services, and follow-up arrangements for ongoing recovery.

Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Services (DBMAS) provide free, 24/7 expert support and practical strategies to help carers manage challenging behaviors associated with dementia.

The Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) is a means-tested daily fee for aged care residents, covering accommodation costs and adjusted based on individual financial circumstances.

Counselling and support in aged care provides emotional and psychological assistance to help seniors and caregivers navigate life changes, mental health challenges, and daily stresses through professional guidance and peer connections.

The Daily Accommodation Contribution (DAC) is a means-tested daily fee some aged care residents pay toward their accommodation costs, with the amount determined by their income and assets.

The Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) is an Australian government program providing an annual payment to eligible individuals with permanent incontinence to help cover the cost of essential continence products.

Consumer Directed Care is an aged care approach that empowers older individuals to choose and manage their own support services based on their personal needs and preferences.

Consent is a resident's voluntary agreement to receive care or treatment after understanding its purpose, risks, and alternatives. It upholds their rights, ensures respect, and involves clear communication, informed decision-making, and proper documentation. If a resident cannot consent, a legal representative steps in. Obtaining consent fosters trust, reduces misunderstandings, and promotes dignity in aged care.

Community Nursing and Health Centres are local healthcare facilities providing accessible medical services, preventive care, chronic disease management, and home visits—particularly for older adults—to support independent living and well-being within the community.

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme is an Australian government-funded initiative providing basic in-home support services to help older adults maintain independence and safety in their own homes.

A client record is a comprehensive, up-to-date file containing a resident's personal details, medical history, and care plans, ensuring accurate, personalized care while maintaining privacy and security.

A chronic disease is a long-lasting health condition that requires ongoing management to maintain quality of life.

The Charter of Aged Care Rights is a document outlining the rights of elderly individuals in care, ensuring respectful, fair, and safe treatment while promoting dignity, choice, privacy, and transparency in aged care services.

Carer Payment is a government financial support for individuals caring for someone with significant needs, offering financial relief through a transparent eligibility and calculation process while complementing other support services to aid carers effectively.

Carer Gateway is a supportive service providing carers with easy-to-access information, advice, and resources to help them manage caregiving tasks and find local support services.

Carer Allowance is a government payment that provides financial support to individuals caring for someone with significant needs due to disability, illness, or aging, helping cover additional costs and recognizing their efforts.

A care recipient is an older person receiving support in aged care, actively participating in their care plan to ensure their needs and preferences are met through services like personal care, health support, and social activities, all delivered with clear communication and respect for their dignity.

A care plan is a personalized written guide outlining the support and services an older person needs for daily activities, health, and well-being, created through assessments and regular updates to ensure tailored and effective care.

A care leaver is a young person transitioning from state care (like foster or residential care) to independent living, often facing challenges but supported by various services to build a stable future.

Care finders are services that assist older individuals and their families in navigating aged care options by providing personalized guidance, comparisons, and support to help them choose the best care for their needs.

Care fees and charges in aged care are payments made by residents for services like personal care, health support, and accommodation, with transparent calculations and clear communication to ensure fairness and trust.

The Basic Daily Fee is a daily charge paid by residents in aged care facilities to cover essential services like meals, cleaning, and maintenance, with its calculation based on facility costs and transparently outlined in resident contracts.

The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) is a funding and care needs assessment system that classifies aged care residents based on their individual care requirements to ensure fair and transparent government funding allocation.

The Assistance with Care and Housing – Hoarding and Squalor Sub-program supports older individuals struggling with hoarding or unsanitary living conditions by providing personalized care, housing assistance, and mental health support to improve their safety and well-being.

An approved provider is a government-certified organization that meets strict standards to deliver safe and high-quality aged care services, ensuring dignity and proper support for older individuals.

Allied health support involves specialized non-medical professionals—such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and dietitians—providing tailored care to help older adults maintain independence, mobility, nutrition, and overall well-being in aged care settings.

Ageing in place enables older adults to live independently and comfortably in their own homes with personalised care, health support, and home modifications, promoting dignity and well-being.

The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) is a program that connects compassionate volunteers with elderly residents in aged care facilities to provide companionship, reduce loneliness, and enhance their well-being through regular social visits.

Aged Care Specialist Officers (ACSOs) are professionals who ensure aged care services meet government standards by monitoring facilities, addressing concerns, and improving care quality for residents.

Aged care services provide essential support and assistance to older individuals, helping them live safely, comfortably, and with dignity through personalized care, medical attention, and social engagement.

The Aged Care Quality Standards are a set of essential guidelines ensuring safe, respectful, and high-quality care for older Australians in aged care services.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is an independent regulatory body that ensures aged care services in Australia meet quality and safety standards by monitoring compliance, handling complaints, and working with providers to improve care for elderly residents.

Aged Care Principles are guidelines ensuring respectful, safe, and personalized care for older adults, focusing on dignity, individual needs, collaboration, transparency, holistic well-being, empowerment, and community inclusion.

Aged care needs assessors are professionals who evaluate older individuals' health, personal care, and social needs to create tailored care plans ensuring safe and comfortable living.

The Aged Care Act 1997 is an Australian law that establishes regulations for aged care services, ensuring quality care, protecting residents' rights, and outlining funding and provider responsibilities.

Aged care is a supportive system providing health, personal, social, and accommodation services to older adults, ensuring their safety, dignity, and quality of life in various settings like facilities or their own homes.

An aged blind pensioner is an elderly individual with significant vision loss who receives government pension payments and relies on specialized aged care support to maintain safety, dignity, and quality of life.

The Age Pension is a government-funded payment for eligible older individuals, based on age and financial means, to assist with living expenses and aged care costs.

An aged care advocate supports residents and families by listening to concerns, communicating with care teams, explaining rights and options, and resolving issues independently to ensure fair treatment and foster a positive living environment.

Advocacy services empower aged care residents by providing trained support to voice their rights, address concerns with care providers, and ensure fair treatment, enhancing care quality and trust.

An advocacy group is an organization that supports aged care residents by amplifying their voices to ensure their rights and needs are addressed, collaborating with decision-makers to resolve issues, and striving to enhance the quality and fairness of the aged care system.

An Advanced Care Directive is a legally binding document that outlines an individual’s future healthcare preferences, established through discussions with family and medical professionals to guide respectful decision-making and reduce conflicts during emergencies when the person cannot communicate their wishes.

Advance care planning is a collaborative process where residents, families, and care providers document and regularly update the resident’s future healthcare preferences, ensuring their wishes are respected and followed when they cannot communicate.

Additional services and items provided at no cost in residential aged care facilities, such as meals, social activities, and transportation, enhance residents' comfort, well-being, and quality of life as part of their care package to ensure a supportive and inclusive living environment.

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal is an independent body that reviews decisions made by government agencies, ensuring fairness in cases affecting aged care residents and their families.

An additional service fee is an extra charge for optional services in a residential aged care facility. It covers services beyond standard care and is outlined in the resident agreement.

An action plan is a document outlining steps a residential aged care facility takes to address issues or improve care. It details tasks, responsibilities, and timelines.

Acknowledgement in aged care is the formal recognition of received information, feedback, or complaints. It reassures residents, families, and staff that their concerns are heard and valued.

Accreditation in aged care is a process where an external agency reviews a facility to ensure it meets safety, care, and management standards. It builds trust, assures families of quality care, and helps facilities improve services.

An accommodation payment is a regular fee paid by a resident in a residential aged care facility to cover the cost of their living space, maintenance, and related expenses, as outlined in their agreement with the care provider.

An accommodation contribution is a regular fee paid by a resident in a residential aged care facility to help cover the cost of their living space, maintenance, and related expenses, as outlined in their agreement with the care provider.

Accommodation costs are fees paid by a resident in a residential aged care facility for their living space. These payments cover room expenses, maintenance, and upkeep but do not include care services.

An accommodation charge is a fee that residents pay for their living space in a residential aged care facility. It covers room costs, maintenance, and upkeep but does not include care services.

An accommodation bond is a refundable deposit paid by residents or their families when moving into a residential care facility. It acts as financial security for unpaid fees or damages and is returned when the resident leaves, provided there are no outstanding costs.

The aging population faces challenges that need to be addressed for better care.

Geriatric care guidelines provide recommendations for caring for older adults. recommendations for caring for older adults.

Senior care policies guide the delivery of quality services to older adults.

Elderly care standards ensure quality and safety in services for older adults.

Age care governance ensures quality and safety in care for older adults.