Glossary of Terms

The Aged Care industry has a specific vocabulary that can be daunting to someone who has never dealt with us before. We’ve put together this glossary with simple definitions to explain the more common terms you’ll encounter when investigating a place for yourself or a loved one. If you have a question not addressed here or in the Frequently Asked Questions page, please contact us and we’ll do our best to help.

ACAT – An acronym for Aged Care Assessment Team, the ACAT is the government body responsible for carrying out the assessment of a person in relation to their care needs. The assessment must be completed before you can apply for admission to an aged care facility for Low Care, High Care or Respite Care services.

Accreditation – Set up by the Commonwealth Government, Accreditation is the system ensuring aged care homes meet 44 different quality standards in accommodation and services provided to residents. All residential aged care homes must accredited to receive funding from the Australian Government through residential aged care subsidies. All three of Braemar Presbyterian Care’s residential facilities have maintained full Accreditation since the implementation of the scheme in 2000.

ACFI – An acronym for Aged Care Funding Instrument, a tool designed by the Commonwealth Government to determine the amount of financial support they will give towards the cost of a person residing in an aged care facility.

ACSWA – An acronym for Aged & Community Services Western Australia, ACSWA supports the carers employed in the Aged Care industry. ACSWA also assists in influencing government in the laws being passed concerning the Aged Care industry.

Allied Health Professionals – A blanket term for the team of individuals providing health care to residents of the aged care community, Allied Health Professionals include doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, mental health team members, speech therapists, podiatrists and any other qualified individual who may assist in the care of a resident.

Care Plan – A care plan is an evolving document designed to guide staff in providing a high standard of care to the resident. Braemar Presbyterian Care encourages the resident and the resident’s family to work with the Braemar staff in preparing care plans.

Dementia – Dementia is a group of symptoms caused by the gradual death of brain cells. Leading to the loss of mental ability affecting memory, reasoning, planning and behaviour, we recommend you visit the Alzheimer’s Association Website for more information.

Diversional Therapy – A program designed to optimise recreation and leisure activities within an aged care facility, Braemar Presbyterian Care employs a Diversional Therapy Team Monday through Friday to work directly with residents. Diversional Therapy is geared towards the individual as well as group activities.

High Care – Residential care for frail people who require assistance with all or most aspects of their daily life. High care has a professional nurse on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

ILU – An acronym for Independent Living Units, an ILU is accommodation for people wanting independent living but in a community setting.

Low Care – Residential care for people who require daily support for personal hygiene, medication, treatments, laundry, cleaning and meals. Low Care is a residential situation with carers on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Palliative Care – When a person’s condition is incurable and the symptoms of their disease require treatment, a palliative care approach is appropriate. The primary goal of palliative care is to improve the resident’s quality of life, keep them comfortable and address their psychological, spiritual and social needs.

Respite Care – Short-term residential care provided in an aged care facility, Respite care is designed to assist the “at home” carers during times they are not available to perform their normal duties. Typical reasons for Respite Care include holidays and illness.