Jargon Buster

Adaptations
Changes made to a property to benefit a disabled person, e.g. putting in a walk-in shower, fitting a stairlift, fitting extra handrails, or making a ramp.

Assistive Devices or Technology

Term used to cover a multitude of aids for the older person for use in and around a house and for extra mobility outside the house. May also be known as 'Telecare'. Includes: personal alarms, pull cords, fall detectors, property exit sensors etc.

Assured tenancy
Since January 1989 all tenants of Housing Associations have assured tenancies. There are fewer rights in law than secure tenants, although Housing Corporation guidance requires some of these rights to be written into assured tenancy agreements.

Capacity

Refers to the mental ability of a person to make a particular decision at a particular time, whether minor, like when to eat, or major, like whether to move house.

Care and Repair
Services to help older home owners with repairs, improvements and adaptations to their homes.

Careline/Carelink
Community alarm services provided by Councils and Housing Associations. They provide older and vulnerable people with a 24hr contact should there be a problem.

Care Quality Commission

The independent body responsible for the inspection and certification of services in the Social Care sector including Care Homes.

Choice Based Letting
A system for people to access social housing, operating in most area of Derbyshire. It aims to give a more customer-focused approach to the letting of social housing.

Code of practice for the Mental Capacity Act

Provides practical guidance on the Mental Capacity Act and explains in more detail key features of the new law. Certain people will have a duty to be guided by the Code.

Continuing Care

Medical care which is paid for by the NHS but may be given either at home or at a Nursing or Residential Home. To find out if you qualify for Continuing Care you need to request an assessment for it. It is for people whose needs exceed the highest band of nursing care.

Court of Protection

The specialist court which deals with cases relating to mental capacity issues under the Mental Capacity Act 2005

Department of Health

Government department whose responsbilities include setting health and social care policy in England. The Department's work sets standards and drives modernisation across all areas of the NHS, social care and public health.

Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA)

When someone (a donor) appoints someone else (an attorney) to act for them with regard to their property and financial affairs. New EPAs cannot be made after 1 October 2007 but existing ones will still be valid.

Extra Care Housing
Sometimes called ‘very sheltered housing’. People buy or rent a home for life and receive home care and support. They remain tenants or owners.

Floating support
Help given to those who need it as and when required. The person providing the support does not ‘live in’ and it can be scaled up or down.

Fuel poverty
Where someone is paying over 10% of their disposable income on fuel bills.

Hospital Discharge Protocol
An agreement between health, housing and social services to help plan a person’s discharge from hospital.

IMCA (Independent Mental Capacity Advocate)

When a person lacking capacity has no personal support such as family, friends, an attorney or deputy, an IMCA will be appointed when there is a major decision to be made about serious medical treatment or a long-term care move, to help represent them and help assess their best interests. An IMCA may also be appointed for care reviews about accommodation and for adult protection cases.

Intermediate Care
Services that promote independence, prevent hospital and residential care admission and/or enable early discharge. Intermediate care typically provides community-based alternatives to traditional hospital care.

Intermediate Housing
Includes Low Cost Home Ownership Schemes, designed to meet the needs of households who cannot access full cost market housing but who can afford to pay more than Housing Association rents.

Lacking capacity

When someone is unable to make a particular decision at a particular time because the way their mind or brain works is affected (for example due to a stroke or brain injury, mental health problems or a learning disability). Many people will lack capacity in relation to some issues or at some times, but have capacity in other instances or at other times.

Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

A legal document in which someone (a donor) appoints someone else (an attorney) to make decisions about certain things for them in the future. There are two types of LPA:

Personal welfare LPAs which can only be used when the donor lacks capacity to make relevant personal welfare or health decisions.
A property and affairs LPA which can be used whether the person has or lacks capacity to make the decisions for themselves unless they have specified otherwise in their LPA.

Lifetime Homes
A home which can adapt and be adapted to cater for a wide range of abilities. This gives the best access and use to occupants. It also gives the best chance to those who may develop particular needs to remain in their home.

Mental Capacity Act 2005

A law which came into force in October 2007. It will help and support people who are unable to make some decisions for themselves because, for instance, of a stroke or brain injury, dementia, a learning disability or mental health problems. It will help people to plan ahead in case they are unable to make decisions in the future.

OPMH
Older People’s Mental Health.

PCT (Primary Care Trust)
Part of the National Health Service. Plans local health services and works with Housing and Social Services to assess and plan services to meet identified needs.

Registered Nursing Care Contribution Determination
Assessment made by a designated NHS nurse in order to place an individual’s need for registered nursing care in one of three bands for state funding (in England).

Respite Care
Short-term or regular care for patients which provides relief to carers by providing another carer. It can also provide opportunity for medical or nursing reassessment or a period of rehabilitation.

RSLs and HAs
Registered Social Landlords and Housing Associations are ‘not for profit’ organisations that provide homes in partnership with local councils. They also provide housing for people with particular needs such as older people or people with disabilities.

SAP
Single Assessment Process. Aims to provide a comprehensive system for planning services. Also aims to cut out duplication of assessments by health, housing and social services.

Secure tenancy
The majority of tenants in social housing and Housing Association tenants who tenancy started before 1989 are secure tenants and have a range of additional rights (covered by the Housing Act 1985).

Shared ownership
An arrangement for purchasing a home in partnership with a Housing Association. Each pay a part of the purchase price (via a mortgage), and then the tenant pays rent on the share purchased by the HA.

Sheltered Housing
Housing which provides specific named officer as a first point of contact. This type of scheme is normally only for older people or for those with disabilities. The propertiesmay have adaptations and usually be on one level or have a lift. There are 2 categories of Sheltered Housing: Category I offers daily contact on weekdays and a 24-hour Carelink scheme for emergencies. There are some communal services and activities available. Category II as category 1 but within a complex including a communal lounge and possibly gardens with organised activities and social events

Short Term Care
A period of care in a care home for up to 3 weeks (extendable in certain circumstances). It can also provide an opportunity for medical or nursing assessment or a period of rehabilitation.

Supporting People (SP)
The way the government tries to improve housing related help for older and other vulnerable people. Local Councils are funded by the government to plan and pay for services in their area. SP was introduced in 2003. Before this, Housing Benefit paid for housing support services.

TARAs (Tenants’ and Residents’ Associations)
Groups of tenants and residents who live in a particular area. Meetings are held monthly to help look at local housing and housing related issues.

Telecare
New technology which helps people improve safety and security at home. It includes equipment such as fall detectors, gas detectors and systems for monitoring health and medication.

Transitional Care
Temporary arrangement whereby hospital staff arrange care in an alternative home when an individual’s preferred home or care agency is unable to provide care when it is required.

Introduction Renting a Home Shared Ownership Residential Care Homelessness Extra Care Housing Contacts Introduction Equity Release Home Maintenance Home Safety Aids and Adaptations Contacts Introduction Other Benefits Pension Credit ( Guarantee and Savings Credits ) Attendance and Carer's Allowances Council Tax and Housing Benefit Contacts Introduction Long-Term Health National Health Service Relationships Activities and Social Clubs Contacts Introduction Domestic Financial Legal Jargon Buster Useful Documents Contacts Contact Us Local Traders Links Digital Umbrella Site Conditions © Age UK Derby & Derbyshire	Last Modified: 12 Jul 2010	Jargon Buster Adaptations Changes made to a property to benefit a disabled person, e.g. putting in a walk-in shower, fitting a stairlift, fitting extra handrails, or making a ramp. Assistive Devices or Technology Term used to cover a multitude of aids for the older person for use in and around a house and for extra mobility outside the house. May also be known as 'Telecare'. Includes: personal alarms, pull cords, fall detectors, property exit sensors etc. Assured tenancy Since January 1989 all tenants of Housing Associations have assured tenancies. There are fewer rights in law than secure tenants, although Housing Corporation guidance requires some of these rights to be written into assured tenancy agreements. Capacity Refers to the mental ability of a person to make a particular decision at a particular time, whether minor, like when to eat, or major, like whether to move house. Care and Repair Services to help older home owners with repairs, improvements and adaptations to their homes. Careline/Carelink Community alarm services provided by Councils and Housing Associations. They provide older and vulnerable people with a 24hr contact should there be a problem. Care Quality Commission The independent body responsible for the inspection and certification of services in the Social Care sector including Care Homes. Choice Based Letting A system for people to access social housing, operating in most area of Derbyshire. It aims to give a more customer-focused approach to the letting of social housing. Code of practice for the Mental Capacity Act Provides practical guidance on the Mental Capacity Act and explains in more detail key features of the new law. Certain people will have a duty to be guided by the Code. Continuing Care Medical care which is paid for by the NHS but may be given either at home or at a Nursing or Residential Home. To find out if you qualify for Continuing Care you need to request an assessment for it. It is for people whose needs exceed the highest band of nursing care. Court of Protection The specialist court which deals with cases relating to mental capacity issues under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 Department of Health Government department whose responsbilities include setting health and social care policy in England. The Department's work sets standards and drives modernisation across all areas of the NHS, social care and public health. Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) When someone (a donor) appoints someone else (an attorney) to act for them with regard to their property and financial affairs. New EPAs cannot be made after 1 October 2007 but existing ones will still be valid. Extra Care Housing Sometimes called ‘very sheltered housing’. People buy or rent a home for life and receive home care and support. They remain tenants or owners. Floating support Help given to those who need it as and when required. The person providing the support does not ‘live in’ and it can be scaled up or down. Fuel poverty Where someone is paying over 10% of their disposable income on fuel bills. Hospital Discharge Protocol An agreement between health, housing and social services to help plan a person’s discharge from hospital. IMCA (Independent Mental Capacity Advocate) When a person lacking capacity has no personal support such as family, friends, an attorney or deputy, an IMCA will be appointed when there is a major decision to be made about serious medical treatment or a long-term care move, to help represent them and help assess their best interests. An IMCA may also be appointed for care reviews about accommodation and for adult protection cases. Intermediate Care Services that promote independence, prevent hospital and residential care admission and/or enable early discharge. Intermediate care typically provides community-based alternatives to traditional hospital care. Intermediate Housing Includes Low Cost Home Ownership Schemes, designed to meet the needs of households who cannot access full cost market housing but who can afford to pay more than Housing Association rents. Lacking capacity When someone is unable to make a particular decision at a particular time because the way their mind or brain works is affected (for example due to a stroke or brain injury, mental health problems or a learning disability). Many people will lack capacity in relation to some issues or at some times, but have capacity in other instances or at other times. Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) A legal document in which someone (a donor) appoints someone else (an attorney) to make decisions about certain things for them in the future. There are two types of LPA: Personal welfare LPAs which can only be used when the donor lacks capacity to make relevant personal welfare or health decisions. A property and affairs LPA which can be used whether the person has or lacks capacity to make the decisions for themselves unless they have specified otherwise in their LPA. Lifetime Homes A home which can adapt and be adapted to cater for a wide range of abilities. This gives the best access and use to occupants. It also gives the best chance to those who may develop particular needs to remain in their home. Mental Capacity Act 2005 A law which came into force in October 2007. It will help and support people who are unable to make some decisions for themselves because, for instance, of a stroke or brain injury, dementia, a learning disability or mental health problems. It will help people to plan ahead in case they are unable to make decisions in the future. OPMH Older People’s Mental Health. PCT (Primary Care Trust) Part of the National Health Service. Plans local health services and works with Housing and Social Services to assess and plan services to meet identified needs. Registered Nursing Care Contribution Determination Assessment made by a designated NHS nurse in order to place an individual’s need for registered nursing care in one of three bands for state funding (in England). Respite Care Short-term or regular care for patients which provides relief to carers by providing another carer. It can also provide opportunity for medical or nursing reassessment or a period of rehabilitation. RSLs and HAs Registered Social Landlords and Housing Associations are ‘not for profit’ organisations that provide homes in partnership with local councils. They also provide housing for people with particular needs such as older people or people with disabilities. SAP Single Assessment Process. Aims to provide a comprehensive system for planning services. Also aims to cut out duplication of assessments by health, housing and social services. Secure tenancy The majority of tenants in social housing and Housing Association tenants who tenancy started before 1989 are secure tenants and have a range of additional rights (covered by the Housing Act 1985). Shared ownership An arrangement for purchasing a home in partnership with a Housing Association. Each pay a part of the purchase price (via a mortgage), and then the tenant pays rent on the share purchased by the HA. Sheltered Housing Housing which provides specific named officer as a first point of contact. This type of scheme is normally only for older people or for those with disabilities. The propertiesmay have adaptations and usually be on one level or have a lift. There are 2 categories of Sheltered Housing: Category I offers daily contact on weekdays and a 24-hour Carelink scheme for emergencies. There are some communal services and activities available. Category II as category 1 but within a complex including a communal lounge and possibly gardens with organised activities and social events Short Term Care A period of care in a care home for up to 3 weeks (extendable in certain circumstances). It can also provide an opportunity for medical or nursing assessment or a period of rehabilitation. Supporting People (SP) The way the government tries to improve housing related help for older and other vulnerable people. Local Councils are funded by the government to plan and pay for services in their area. SP was introduced in 2003. Before this, Housing Benefit paid for housing support services. TARAs (Tenants’ and Residents’ Associations) Groups of tenants and residents who live in a particular area. Meetings are held monthly to help look at local housing and housing related issues. Telecare New technology which helps people improve safety and security at home. It includes equipment such as fall detectors, gas detectors and systems for monitoring health and medication. Transitional Care Temporary arrangement whereby hospital staff arrange care in an alternative home when an individual’s preferred home or care agency is unable to provide care when it is required.
	Last Modified: 12 Jul 2010