Here’s a helpful glossary of common aged care terms you might see when applying for or receiving Support at Home services.
If you need some help navigating the aged care system, contact our friendly team today.
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Aged Care ActThis legislation puts the rights and needs of older Australians at the heart of the aged care system. It also introduces strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.
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Aged care assessmentTo receive aged care funding, you need to complete an assessment with My Aged Care to see if you're eligible. An assessor will visit you at home to understand your needs and the services you require.
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Aged Care Specialist OfficerThis is a member of the My Aged Care (MAC) team that can provide detailed information about aged care services, eligibility, assessments and how much it costs. Find out more at Services Australia.
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Assistive technologyAny equipment or product to help you do your everyday activities. It can include mobility equipment like walking sticks and wheelchairs, toileting devices like bedpans, or items to help you eat like modified cutlery.
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Assistive technology and home modifications (AT-HM)This is an amount of funding through Support at Home to help you access products, equipment and home modifications to meet your assessed needs.
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Care PlanThis is a plan your Care Partner will work with you to develop based on your Support at Home Support Plan. It includes your goals, how you would like your care delivered, and the services you will receive.
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Care Plan reviewYour Care Partner will work with you to identify any changes to your safety and wellbeing that might impact your needs. They will then adjust your Care Plan accordingly.
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ClassificationThere are eight levels of funding you can receive under Support at Home which are called classifications. Your will be allocated a budget based on your classification.
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Contribution rateThis is your financial contribution to the cost of your Support at Home funding. You will be asked to do contribute if you can afford to do so.
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End of Life PathwayThis is short term funding through Support at Home to access aged care services and supports you need during your last three months of life.
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Government subsidised fundingFunding that the Australian Government will subsidise or pay part of, like Support at Home. You are required to contribute to this care if you can afford to do so.
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Home modificationsChanges to your home to make it safer and more accessible. This can include simple modifications like grab rails and or modified door locks, or larger modifications like ramps.
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My Aged Care (MAC)This is the portal for accessing Australian Government subsidised services.
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Notice of DecisionThis is a letter from MAC that confirms your Support at Home eligibility. It includes your assessed needs and goals, allocated classification and funding level, approved services and any allocated short term supports.
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National Priority SystemOnce you've been assessed as eligible and allocated a Support at Home classification, you will join the Australian Government priority system or waitlist and receive your funding when it is available. This is based on the priority rating from your assessment.
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National Sign Language Program (NSLP)Free sign language interpreting and captioning support for older people who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing. Visit the Department of Health and Aged Care for more information.
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Restorative Care PathwayThis is short term funding through Support at Home to maintain and improve your independence through multidisciplinary allied health services.
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Single Assessment SystemThis is the national assessment system for assessing eligibility for government subsidised aged care.
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Support Plan reviewA MAC assessor will review your current plan against your situation, goals and needs. This might lead to changes in your Support Plan or a need for a re-assessment.
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Support PlanYour Plan includes information on your needs and goals from your aged care assessment, as well as details about your approved Support at Home arrangements like your classification.