Glossary

Activities of Daily Living (ADL)

ADL describes the basic daily physical activities of an independent person. These include eating, grooming, dressing, toileting, walking, taking medication, and other personal care functions.

Adult Day Care

A daytime program in which seniors join a group setting for structured activities, meals, and various programs. Additional services like transportation may be available for additional fees.

Administration on Aging (AOA)

The AOA is an advocate agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, representing older persons at the federal level. Functions include policy development to ensure proper home and community-based services for elders and their caregivers. AOA works in cooperation with a national network of State and Area Agencies on Aging (AAA).

Alzheimer's care

Communities that specialize in Alzheimer's care place an emphasis on safety, structure, and personalized attention. All staff and medical personnel are trained to understand and serve the special needs of its residents who have Alzheimer's disease.

Assisted Living Facilities

Assisted living facilities are professionally managed residences that provide a unique combination of independent living and personalized 24-hour care by assisting elders in their daily lives, including but not limited to preparing their meals, facilitating transportation, maintaining their homes, assistance with bathing, and managing their medication.

Case Management

A system used to assess, coordinate, and implement necessary health care support services for seniors and their families.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

A CNA is a trained and certified assistant who works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse to provide personal care services to residents including bathing, dressing, housekeeping, etc. Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC).
Retirement communities usually licensed by the state that offer a continuum of accommodations and services for elders within a single or adjacent location. Housing options include, but are not limited to, independent living, congregate housing, assisted living, and nursing care. In addition to monthly fees, a CCRC resident contract often requires an entry fee, which may be partially or fully refundable.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)

These communities offer a range of housing options and services that can meet the changing needs of seniors, so that they can seamlessly upgrade their level of care as needed. These options include independent living, assisted living, and nursing home care.

Dementia

A mental disorder that commonly affects seniors, in which the memory and judgment are impaired.

Health Care Power of Attorney

Elders legally give the health care decision-making rights to another person in the event that he or she may not be able to make or communicate one’s own health care decisions.

Home care

For seniors who wish to remain living in their own homes, but who need some assistance with activities of daily life (eating, bathing, dressing), home care services can bridge the gap and provide the help they need.

Home Health Agency (HHA)

HHAs facilitate and provide home care services such as physical therapy, nursing, occupational therapy, and other care.

Home Health Care

For elders who do not require 24-hour supervision, home health care is a viable alternative to a nursing home or hospital. Usually under the direction of a physician, home health care is provided through a Home Health Agency, which offers a variety of services to accommodate a patient’s needs.

Hospice

Hospice care is provided to help comfort terminally ill individuals and their families, and come to terms with and enhance the final months of life.

Independent living

Seniors who choose independent living live on their own and care for themselves, but in a community in which household services, recreational and social outings, and property maintenance are available to them.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)

IADL describes the more complex social and cognitive tasks associated with independent living, including taking medications, using the telephone, meal preparation, shopping, managing money, and cooking.

Long-Term Care

When a person loses some of all of their functioning abilities because of a chronic illness, dementia, or other health issue, it becomes necessary to impart long-term care. This can include medical and other personal care services in the home by family, with home care assistance, in an assisted living facility, or in a nursing home.

Long-Term Care Insurance

To help alleviate long term care expenses, elders may take out long term care insurance policies. Because of the growth in the need for Assisted Living, many major long-term care insurance policies cover some of the cost.

Managed Care

A patient agrees to stay within a network of doctors to maintain set health care costs.

Medigap

Medigap is an insurance policy program that supplements Medicare benefits, to help pay for Medicare deductibles, prescription drugs, or other services beyond Medicare’s support.

Occupational Therapist

A professional who helps patients learn to cope with the tasks of everyday living despite physical or developmental limitations.

Ombudsman

The Ombudsman Program is a public advocacy program supported by the government that supports for the rights of those residing in 24-hour long-term care facilities. Program volunteers help by monitoring facilities and helping residents resolve any conflicts with the staff.

Pre-Admission Screening

Prior to being admitted to a nursing home or other long-term care facility, a senior may be screened to assess the level of his or her functioning capabilities and medical and personal care needs. This professional screening helps to determine which particular type of facility will best meet the needs of the patient.

Resident Care Plan

Upon entry into a nursing facility, a team works to create a written plan of care for each resident. The plan outlines the resident’s medical, nursing, personal care, and social needs, and lists services that are to be provided.

Respite Care

When caregivers are in need of temporary assistance with their caregiving duties, respite care services take over. This can include a short-term stay in a nursing facility.

Retirement living

A popular choice for active lifestyle seniors, retirement living offers a broad range of on-site amenities and social activities. Retirement communities usually have a 55+ or 62+ minimum age requirement.

Senior housing

Assisted living, nursing homes, and retirement communities comprise the most popular senior housing options for those who seek the social aspect of living among other seniors, or require specialized care in their later years.

Short-term care

Sometimes called respite care, services temporarily take over for regular caregivers to provide relief.