Glossary

At Access we recognise that every health situation is different and we want to address your particular needs. Below you'll find answers to some commonly asked questions which are updated regularly.

If you have any questions outside of these, you can simply submit your question via email or phone 0800 AT HOME (0800 284 663) and one of our friendly staff will assist you.

An explanation of some of our commonly referenced terms

Personal care - Assistance with daily personal tasks including dressing/undressing, bathing, grooming, toileting and mobility.

Household assistance - Support in carrying out general household tasks such as cleaning, cooking, laundry, shopping and transportation, child care and helping you to remain active in your community.

District nursing - Qualified nursing services provided in the home and community, including wound care, medication management and oversight, continence management, stomal therapy, IV therapy, catheter care, eye drops, symptom monitoring and management, information and condition education. Includes support for people getting back on their feet after surgery or an illness.

Long-term condition - Illness that persists for a long period of time such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma and other respiratory diseases.

Goals-based support programmes - Goal-based care and support aimed at helping clients to improve and restore normal function and be as independent as possible; involves integrated clinical and social assessment.

Restorative programmes - Specialised services that support people to live their lives to the fullest, by helping them to identify their goals and be as functional and independent as possible. Restorative support is about being in control of what is happening in ones life, built around what is important to the individual. The service approach is proactive in order to prevent loss of function and there is no fixed prescription of services. Examples of support include encouraging safe use of mobility aids, coaching safe transfer methods, coaching of an exercise programme designed to increase mobility or prevent falls, assistance in re-establishing social connections in the community, regaining skills, mobility and confidence and practical support to keeping your household going.

In-home respite care - Short-term or temporary care of a person so as to provide relief or respite to the regular care giver - usually a family member.

Palliative care - Care of patients whose disease is not responsive to treatment, focused on relieving symptoms and helping people live more comfortably.

Allied health services - Clinical health care services such as physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and social therapy, provided by licensed professionals.