Glossary

Approved Provider

An approved provider is an organisation that has been approved to provide residential care, home care or flexible care under the Aged Care Act 1997. If you receive a subsidy from the Australian Government to help pay for aged care services, the provider you choose must be an approved provider.

Carer

A carer is a person who plays a role in supporting another person with their ongoing needs. The carer can also be an aged care customer.

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)

If you or your loved one needs help to stay at home and to be more independent in the community, then you may benefit from the Commonwealth Home Support Programme. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme provides a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated range of basic maintenance, support and care services for older people and their carers.

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.

Home Care Packages (HCP)

A Home Care Package is a subsidy provided to an approved provider by the Australian Government Home Care Packages Program to help pay for the costs of in-home aged care services to allow people to stay independent in their own home as long as possible.

There are four levels of home care packages designed to give the care needed:

• Level 1 – supports people with basic care needs
• Level 2 – supports people with low-level care needs
• Level 3 – supports people with intermediate-care needs
• Level 4 – supports people with high-level care needs

Income-Tested Care Fee

Depending on your income, you may be required to contribute to the cost of your Home Care Package. If your income is higher than the Age Pension, the Department of Human Services will assess your income and determine if you are required to pay this fee for your Home Care Package and how much it will be.

Independent Advocate

An advocate may be able to assist you with accessing Australian Government-funded aged care services or with raising concerns about the services you are receiving. An independent advocate, provided by a service such as the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) can offer independent and confidential advocacy

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.

Part Pensioner

If you receive a pension from the Australian Government that is less than the maximum amount due to means testing, you are known as a part-pensioner.

Power of Attorney

A power of attorney is a document that allows you to appoint someone of your choice to act on your behalf. The attorney can sign or do anything that you yourself can legally do subject to any limitations or conditions stated in the document.

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

A Referral Code is a 1- unique number that My Aged Care provides you with when you are assigned your Home Care Package. This code allows the Provider of your choice to trigger your funding once you sign with them. If you switch Providers you will need to call My Aged Care to request them to reactive your Referral Code.

Self-Funded Retiree / Non-Pensioner

If you do not receive any means-tested pension from the Australian Government and are funding your own retirement you are known as a self-funded retiree or non-pensioner.

Service Provider

A service provider is an organisation that receives funding in order to provide aged care services to older people.