Senior Care Terms And Definitions
The terminology surrounding health care and senior care in particular at times
, can cause you to feel confused and overwhelmed. Always Best Care has created a list of common terms to help you through this process. However, understanding what type of care is right for your loved one can be a daunting task. For over a decade Always Best Care has been helping our seniors through this process. Let Always Best Care guide you through the health care maze. Our Care Coordinators are local and ready to assist you.
Use this glossary of terms to help understand some of the terms relating to senior care giving and services.
Abuse
Abuse is any situation that creates potential harm to an individual - emotional or physical. Also, see Adult Protective Services in this Glossary. Advantage List: List of health service providers that agree to give particular insurance company policyholders a preset discount.
Accreditation:
A seal of approval given by a governing body to a housing and/or service provider. To become accredited, the community or provider must meet specific requirements set by the accreditation entity and is then generally required to undergo a thorough review process by a team of evaluators to ensure certain standards of quality. The accrediting organizations are not government agencies or regulatory bodies. Examples of some accreditation bodies for the senior housing and care industry include CCAC (Continuing Care Accreditation Commission), CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) and JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations).
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):
Everyday activities such as bathing, grooming, eating, toileting, and dressing.
Acute Illness:
A serious illness such as a heart attack or stroke that develops rapidly with pronounced symptoms. The illness can be of short duration such as influenza.
Adaptive Devices:
A variety of devices that are used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals, providing the assistance needed to stay at home. These devices may help with vision, hearing, mobility, communication or other needs, and include wheelchairs, walkers, touch-sensitive light switches, phone amplifiers, stair lifts, chairs with lifts and computers. May also be known as Assistive Technology.
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act):
Law passed by Congress in 1980, establishing a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability.
Administrator:
Generally, a licensed professional who manages the day-to-day operation of a care facility such as a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Adult Day Care:
Daily structured programs in a community setting with activities and health-related and rehabilitation services to elderly who are physically or emotionally disabled and need a protective environment. This care is provided for during the day, the individual returning home for the evening.
Adult Day Health Services:
A program that provides medically necessary services in an ambulatory care setting to persons who are nonresidents of the facility, and who, due to their physical and/or cognitive impairment, require such services supportive to their community living that cannot be provided elsewhere. The facility must be licensed by the Department of Health and Senior Services and clients must meet eligibility criteria established by the Department.
Adult Protective Services (APS):
Adult Protective Services includes the 24-hour, 365 days a year access to assistance and/or referral with reports of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect by caretaker, self-neglect, exploitation and abandonment.
Alzheimer's Care Center:
A treatment center that specializes in providing care for those with Alzheimer's disease with more of the care geared towards supervision of the patient in a safe and controlled environment. (from LTCInsurance)
Aging in Place:
Concept which advocates allowing a resident to choose to remain in his/her living environment despite the physical and or mental decline that may occur with the aging process of aging.
Alzheimer's:
Degenerative age-related disease that impairs an individual's cognitive ability. Symptoms may include forgetfulness, wandering, and inability to recognize others. The disease is caused by neuron dysfunction and death in specific brain regions responsible for cognitive functions. Both genetic and environmental factors likely play a role in the development of Alzheimer's. Click here to learn more.
Ambulatory:
Describes ability to ambulate, walk around, not bedridden or hospitalized.
Assisted Living: In general, state-licensed program offered at a residential community with services that include meals, laundry, housekeeping, medication reminders, and assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). The exact definition will vary from state to state, and a few states do not license assisted living facilities. Generally regarded as one to two steps below skilled nursing in level of care. Approximately 90 percent of the country's assisted living services are paid for with private funds, although some states have adopted Medicaid waiver programs. Might also be referred to as Personal Care, Board and Care, Residential Care, Boarding Home, etc., although some states differentiate between their definition of "Assisted Living" and these other terms (e.g., Washington state recognizes and licenses "Assisted Living" facilities as well as "Boarding Homes"; Although licensed by the State of Washington, a Boarding Home does not meet the higher physical plant and service requirements necessary to be considered an Assisted Living facility) . Click here to learn more.
Assessment:
A process used by care managers to gather information about an individual to determine his or her functional needs and/or eligibility for services. Information collected may include health status, financial status, ability to perform activities of daily living, mental status, etc.
Attorney-in-fact:
In legal terms, the person who is granted power-of-attorney. See-Power-of Attorney for more detail.
Beneficiary:
The recipient of benefits, as funds or property, from an insurance policy/program or will.
Caregiver:
The primary person in charge of caring for an individual with Alzheimer's disease, usually a family member or a designated health care professional.
Care Plan:
The detailed formulation of a program of action that addresses a consumer's needs.
Case management:
A term used to describe formal services planned by care professionals.
Charge Nurse:
An RN or LPN who is responsible for the supervision of a unit within a nursing facility. The charge nurse schedules and supervises nursing staff and provides care to facility residents.
Children of Aging Parents (CAPS):
Children of Aging Parents is a nonprofit, charitable organization whose mission is to assist the nation's caregivers of the elderly or chronically ill with reliable information, referrals and support. CAPS strives to heighten public awareness that the health of the family caregivers is essential to ensure quality care of the nation's growing elderly population.
Chore Service:
Chore services are semi-skilled home repairs and maintenance tasks performed to enhance the health and safety of the individual in the home. These services are provided through the local Area Agency on Aging, volunteer programs, or youth groups to help older people live safely and comfortably in their own homes.
Congregate Housing:
See Independent Living (may be also referred to as Supportive Housing).
Congregate Meals
Nutritious meals provided at least five days a week in local Senior Citizen Centers throughout the State. Meals are usually served around noon, and in some areas meals may be available at other times of the day. Besides providing nutrition, congregate meals provide needed socialization for older adults.
Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC):
Housing planned and operated to provide a continuum of accommodations and services for seniors including, but not limited to, independent living, congregate housing, assisted living, and skilled nursing care. A CCRC resident contract often involves either an entry fee or buy-in fee in addition to the monthly service charges, which may change according to the medical services required. Entry fees may be partially or fully refundable. The fee is used primarily as a method of privately financing the development of the project and for payment for future healthcare. CCRCs are typically licensed by the state. See also Life Care Community.
Continuum of Care:
Full spectrum of care available at Continuing Care Retirement Communities which may include Independent Living, Assisted Living, Nursing Care, Home Health, Home Care, and Home and Community Based Services.
Convalescent Home: See Nursing Home.
Counseling:
This is a service that helps consumers adjust to personal crises, change in personal roles, and to learn effective ways to control personal and family stress.
Dementia:
Progressive neurological, cognitive, or medical disorder that affects memory, judgment, and cognitive powers.
Dependent Care Tax Credit:
Federal income tax credits for certain home care services and adult day care services. Check with your local IRS office or a tax advisor for details.
Diabetes:
A disease that impairs the ability of the body to use sugar resulting in the loss of sugar through urine, and an increase in the level of sugar levels in the blood.
Durable Medical Power of Attorney:
A legal document which names a person who will make health care decisions for the principal if that individual becomes incompetent or unable to express his/her wishes.
Durable Power of Attorney:
A power of attorney that is enforceable even if the principal becomes disabled or incapacitated.
Developmental Disability (DD):
Affliction characterized by chronic physical and mental disabilities, which may include: cerebral palsy, retardation, thyroid problems, seizures, quadriplegia.
Director of Nursing (DON):
A DON oversees all nursing staff in a nursing home, and is responsible for formulating nursing policies and monitoring the quality of care delivered, as well as the facility's compliance with federal and state regulations pertaining to nursing care.
Elder Abuse:
Elder abuse refers to any situation in which an elderly individual may suffer emotional or physical abuse from another individual.
Elder Law Attorney:
An attorney who specializes in the laws that deal with the rights and issues of the health, finances, and well-being of the elderly and the power of other individuals and the government to control them.
Estate:
The term used to represent all of an individual or couple's personal assets.
Estate Planning:
A plan for what will happen to an individual or couple's assets and liabilities after death.
Executor:
The person named in a will to carry out the distribution of an estate.
Financial Counseling Programs: Help seniors with managing their finances, bills, and completing Medicaid, Medicare or insurance forms.
Geriatric Assessment:
An evaluation of an older person's physical, psychological, and social condition by a professional team of specialists. This team makes recommendations to the older person, family, and primary care doctor. Geriatric assessments are offered in geriatric evaluation centers and are generally associated with hospitals.
Geriatrician:
A medical doctor with special education and training in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disabilities in older people.
Geriatric Social Worker:
A licensed professional whose expertise enables him/her to assist the elderly and their families to understand and cope with the social, emotional, and psychological aspects of aging. The social worker may assist the individual/family to access services, and then assist them to use the resources effectively.
Gerontologist:
A professional who specializes in the mental and behavioral characteristics of aging.
Guardian:
An individual appointed by a court of law to manage a person's financial and/or personal affairs because the court has found that the person is not competent to manage his or her own affairs. A conservator is similarly appointed, but only for financial affairs.
Guardianship:
The process in which an individual is appointed by a court of law to manage a person's financial and/or personal affairs because the person is not able to or is not competent to manage his/her own affairs.
Handicap Parking:
Special parking for handicapped individuals. If you are interested in handicapped parking placards, contact Motor Vehicle services at 1-888-486-3339 1-888-486-3339 .
Home Delivered Meals:
Hot and nutritious meals delivered to homebound persons who are unable to prepare their own meals and have no outside assistance. Also, see Meals on Wheels in this glossary.
Homemaker/Home Health Aid Service:
A trained person, working under supervision, providing personal care, household cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, laundry, transportation, for an elderly or disabled person.
HMO:
A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is an organized system for providing comprehensive health care in a specific geographic area to a voluntarily enrolled group of members.
Home Health Care:
Provision of medical and nursing services in the individual's home by a licensed provider.
HIPAA (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996):
This act became a law on January 1, 1997. The act states the requirements that a long term care policy must follow in order that the premiums paid may be deducted as medical expenses and benefits not paid be considered as taxable income.
Hospice Care:
Care and comfort measures provided to those with a terminal illness and their families- it can include medical, counseling, and social services. Most hospice care is furnished in-home, while specialized hospices or hospitals also provide this service.
Hospice:
Usually a combination of at-home and hospital care of the terminally ill that combines medical and social services. It is designed to help both the patient and the family. Hospice care emphasizes pain control, symptom management, and emotional support rather than the use of life-sustaining equipment.
Independent Living:
Multi-unit senior housing development that may provide supportive services such as meals, housekeeping, social activities, and transportation (Congregate Housing, Supportive Housing, Retirement Community). Independent Living typically encourages socialization by provision of meals in a central dining area and scheduled social programs. May also be used to describe housing with few or no services (Senior Apartment).
Incontinence:
The loss of voluntary control over bladder or bowel functions.
Informal Support:
An individual willing to provide a service to a dependent person without reimbursement, e.g., family member or neighbor.
Informed Consent:
Following disclosure of the risks and options, the permission given by a person with mental capacity prior to receiving medical treatment.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs):
Day-to-day tasks such as preparing meals, shopping, managing money, taking medication, and housekeeping.
Irrevocable Living Trust:
Irrevocable living trusts are similar to revocable living trusts, except that you cannot revoke (that is, change or end) the trust after you have established it. In addition to having the same benefits as a revocable trust, an irrevocable trust also may provide savings on the estate taxes, and may prevent the loss of government benefits for a loved one. Joint Ownership:
Joint ownership, used for a variety of purposes, can have positive or negative effects on access to jointly owned property. Your decision to hold property jointly should be based on your trust in the person with whom you hold joint ownership, and your needs and intentions with regard to the property.
Kitchenette:
Each facility may have its own definition of a kitchenette, but generally one includes a sink, cabinet space, and a mini-refrigerator, maybe a microwave. In contrast, a full kitchen would usually have a burner unit, sink, cabinets, full-size refrigerator, and possibly a microwave or stove.
Level of Care:
Refers to the outcome of an assessment designed to determine the most appropriate setting for the delivery of long-term care to an elderly person.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN):
LPNs are trained to administer technical nursing procedures as well as provide a range of health care services, such as administration of medication and changing of dressings. One year of post high school education and passage of a state licensing exam is required.
Life Care Community:
A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) which offers an insurance type contract and provides all levels of care. It often includes payment for acute care and physician's visits. Little or no change is made in the monthly fee, regardless of the level of medical care required by the resident, except for cost of living increases.
Long-Term Care:
Provision of services to persons of any age who are afflicted with chronic health impairments.
Living Trust:
A trust created during the life of the grantor used in estate and tax planning. See revocable and/or irrevocable living trust in this glossary.
Living Will/Advance Directive for Healthcare:
A written document prepared by a competent adult that may be used when the individual becomes incapacitated by illness or injury, and is unable to speak for him/herself. It directs caregivers to either use, or not use, extraordinary means to sustain life.
Long-term Care Insurance:
Privately issued insurance policy which covers the cost of nursing home care, assisted living, and home health care. Premiums are based on age, health, length of deductible period, amount paid, and duration of benefits. Currently pays only two percent of national nursing home costs.
Managed Care:
There is currently no standard definition of managed care, but it can best be described as a combination of insurance and a health care delivery system. The basic goal of managed care is to coordinate all health care services received to maximize benefits and minimize costs. Managed care plans use their own network of health care providers and a system of prior approval from a primary care doctor in order to achieve this goal. Providers include: specialists, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, therapists, and home health care agencies.
Meals-on-Wheels:
Meals delivered on a regular schedule -- daily, Monday to Friday, and in some counties -- including weekends, to housebound elderly or elderly people unable to cope with meal preparation, for little or no cost. Also, see Home Delivered Meals in this glossary.
Medicaid:
A jointly funded medical financial Fed
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