Vocabulary for Elder Care Services
A
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) – Daily activities performed by people without the assistance of another. Activities include eating, bathing, dressing, continence, toileting, and moving from one place to another.
Adult Day Care – Care provided by the community to meet the needs of adults who are physically and/or mentally challenged in the ability to care for themselves and/or their own well-being. Adult Day Care is normally opened for the convenience of family caregivers who work and or need the occasional assistance of a facility to care for their loved one. The Adult Day Care is normally opened weekdays and during business hours. Services provided may include meals, transportation, and social activities as well as health, support, therapeutic, rehabilitative, and social programs.
Advance Directives – A written document that may include a Durable Power of Attorney or Living Will, which is prepared ahead of time in case you lose the ability to make decisions for yourself.
Alzheimer's Disease – A brain disorder commonly caused by dementia, which causes short-term memory, affects the activities of daily living, affects the ability to make sound decisions, and sometimes the ability to speak properly.
Assisted Living Facility - An assisted living facility is a residence for those who have difficulty with activities of daily living. In an assisted living facility, meals, personalized care, health, and various assistance programs are provided to allow the resident to live as comfortably and as independently as possible. (see also Home Health Benefits for Assisted Living)
B
Bathing - A common activity of daily living, which involves cleansing oneself by the use of a sponge, bath, or shower.
Board and Care - A small residential living facility (very similar to an assisted living facility) that is normally a maximum size of 6 bed capacity. Many amenities found in an assisted living facility are common to that of a board and care except for skilled nursing.
C
Caregiver - an individual who provides personal care assistance for another individual who have difficulties with the activities of daily living.
Care Plan - a written plan usually prepared by a doctor, which describes the services needed for a patient's care.
Cash Surrender Value - money received by an insurance company when life insurance or annuity policy is terminated.
Catheter - a tube inserted into a bladder to assist with urinary problems or incontinence.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - a trained and certified nurse's assistant who performs non-medical care for a patient.
Clinical Depression - a type of depression that affects the whole body. Physical and emotional conditions are affected.
Cognitive Impairment - the deterioration of cognitive function associate with disorientation, short-term and/or long-term memory loss, forgetfulness and inability to reason. Cognitive impairment may result in Alzheimer's disease and/or dementia.
Community Based Services - community services such as adult day care and senior centers, which are designed to help the elderly live independently in their own homes.
Continence - the ability to maintain bowel functions.
Continuing Care Retirement Community - A residential retirement community, which consists of independent living apartments, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. The residents may move from one setting to another depending on their condition and individual needs.
Custodial Care - also known as personal care. The assistance of non-medical care and activities of daily living performed by untrained professionals.
D
Disability Method – benefits granted after qualification even if long-term care services are not used.
Deductible – the amount that must be paid prior to receiving any amount from other insurance companies including Medicare.
Depression – A feeling of sadness that affects the thinking, behavior, emotional, and physical activities of an individual. (See also clinical depression)
Discharge Planner – A charge nurse, social worker, or health professional who assists patients and their families in transitioning from the hospital to another level of care.
Dressing – 1. an activity of daily living, which involves taking off items of clothing and other body attachments. 2. the covering and bandaging of a wound.
Durable Medical Equipment – medical equipment such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers, and other reusable items ordered by a toctor to be used in the home.
E
Elder Care – services provided to fulfill the needs of a senior or elderly individual.
Elder Law Attorney – an elder law attorney is a professional who understands the law, which pertain to seniors, the elderly, the disabled, and/or those with special needs.
F
First Aid - immediate medical attention after injury has occurred.
G
Geriatric Care - see also Elder Care
Guardian - a person who is appointed by court to care for another individual who is unable to care for themselves.
H
Health Care Proxy - also known as a Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPA), who is appointed to make health care decisions in case you are able to do so.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) - a type of insurance or Medicare managed care plan, where health care professionals agree to provide services for a set amount from Medicare. (
see also Private Insurance vs Medicare Insurance)
Home Health Agency - the service provider of home health care.
Home Health Aides - an assistant to a medical home health care service provider. May also be known as caregiver or certified nurse assistant.
Hospice Care - provided to help ease the pain for those who have a terminal illness or a disheartening health condition that causes their bodily functions to inevitably deteriorate. It involves a team of medical professionals as well as caregivers who provide pain management associated with medical care, support, and comfort. (
see also Understanding Hospice Care)
I
In-Home Care - care provided at home by a non-medical or medical professional.
Incontinence - a person's inability to control bowel movements and/or urinary bladder.
L
Long Term Care – services provided for people who need help with activities of daily living. Care my be provided by home health pofessionals as well CNAs or caregivers who assist with personal care and social services. Long-term care may be provided at the comfort of home, in an assisted living facility, retirement community, or nursing home.
Long Term Care Insurance – an insurance policy, which pay for long-term medical and/or non-medical care.
M
Medicaid - a federal/state program that pays for health care for individuals with low income or high medical bills in relation to their income and assets.
Medi-Cal - Medicaid program provided for California residents.
Medicare - a federal program that pays for health care for the elderly (65 or older) and those who are disabled or those with special needs.
Medicare Supplemental Insurance - also known as Medigap Insurance. Medicare supplemental insurance is a private insurance policy, which covers many of the gaps in Medicare coverage.
Medigap - see also Medicare Supplemental Insurance.
N
Network - a group of medical and health care professionals who are hired by a managed healthcare plan to take care of its members.
Nursing Home - a residential home for the elderly, disabled, or individuals with special needs. A nursing home provides meals, a room, and assistance with activities of daily living.
O
Occupational Therapist - a therapist who helps promote and improve the health and functional condition of an individual who has suffered from an injury or illness.
P
Personal Care – see Custodial Care.
Personal Emergency Response System – an electronic device that enables the user to contact an emergency personnel 24 hours a day with a press of a button.
Physical Therapist – A rehabilitation professional who helps patients regain strength and mobility through assistance, exercise, and teachings that help promote activity tolerance and independence.
Plan of Care – The written plan prepared or approved by a doctor describing the services needed to care for an individual's health problems.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) – a managed care plan in which members have a choice of utilizing the services of the healthcare providers within the PPO network or the healthcare professionals outside the plan for a minimal cost.
Primary Care Physician – a doctor trusted by the patient who is seen prior to going to any other healthcare professionals when a health problem occurs.
Primary Caregiver – an individual, perhaps member of the family, who takes on the primary day-to-day responsibility of caring for the physical, psychological and social needs of a person who has difficulties with activities of daily living.
Provider – a licensed healthcare professional or facility that provides health services.
R
Residential Care Facility – a facility or group home, which provides a room and care for individuals who need it. A residential care facility may be an assisted living, independent living, and/or nursing home.
Respite Care – Care provided for temporary relief of those caring for their family member or loved one. Usually
takes place for a period of 24 hours or more.
S
Senior Care - services provided to fulfill the needs of a senior or elderly individual.
Senior Center – community-based programs that provide a variety of services that can include recreational and social activities, nutrition and meals, and educational opportunities for the elderly.
Skilled Nursing – nursing provided by professionals such as a Registered nurse or a Licensed Vocational nurse. Activites of a skilled nurse include tube feeding, intravenous injections, wound care, and various other skills.
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) – (usually a nursing home) a nursing facility certified by Medicare.
Speech Therapist – Speech Therapists help in the restoration of communication skills and other cognitive functions, including oral, motor control.
T
Toileting – an activity of daily living, which involves going to the toilet.
Transferring – an activity of daily living, which involves moving from one area to the other. An example would be transferring from the bed to the couch.
