Glossary of Terms

Basic self-care tasks crucial to independent living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, transferring, and using the toilet. Used to determine the level of care a person needs.

Non-residential facility that supports the health, nutritional, social, and daily living needs of adults in a professionally staffed, group setting.

Legal documents that allow individuals to spell out their decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time, including living wills and durable powers of attorney for healthcare.

The physical ability to walk. A person who is ambulatory can get around without the aid of a wheelchair or other mobility device.

Often called Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, leading to loss of muscle control.

A disorder that affects how you communicate, typically caused by a stroke or head injury.

A motor disorder indicating a difficulty with the motor planning to perform tasks or movements when asked.

A mental health profession in which clients use art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings.

A housing facility for people with disabilities or for adults who cannot or who choose not to live independently. Provides personal care services and assistance with ADLs.

A lack of muscle coordination which may affect speech, eye movements, the ability to swallow, walking, and picking up objects.

A person who derives advantage from something, especially a trust, will, or life insurance policy.

The amount of time your long-term care insurance policy will pay covered benefits.

Residential care facilities, or group homes, that provide personal care and meals, along with a room.

Slowness of movement, one of the cardinal symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

A document that outlines the specific care and treatment a resident will receive in a facility.

A state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that may be accompanied by a change in attitude – from positive and caring to negative and unconcerned.

A professional who assists patients in navigating healthcare facilities and systems, planning and coordinating care.

A flexible tube inserted through a narrow opening into a body cavity, particularly the bladder, for removing fluid.

A healthcare professional who assists patients with various healthcare needs under the supervision of an RN or LPN.

When a person has trouble remembering, learning new things, concentrating, or making decisions that affect their everyday life. Ranges from mild to severe.

A surgical operation in which a piece of the colon is diverted to an artificial opening in the abdominal wall.

A form of home care offering non-medical services to older adults or people with disabilities.

A legal concept where a guardian or a protector is appointed by a judge to manage the financial affairs and/or daily life of another.

Communities that offer multiple levels of care on a single campus, from independent living to assisted living to skilled nursing care.

Non-skilled personal care, such as help with ADLs like bathing, dressing, eating, getting in or out of a bed or chair, moving around, and using the bathroom.

The maximum amount your long-term care insurance policy will pay for each day of care.

Also known as a bed sore, it's an injury to skin and underlying tissue resulting from prolonged pressure on the skin.

An overall term for diseases and conditions characterized by a decline in memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking skills that affect a person's everyday activities.

An expert on diet and nutrition, helping to ensure seniors meet their nutritional requirements.

A registered nurse who directs the care of all nursing staff at a facility.

A medical order written by a doctor instructing health care providers not to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if a patient's breathing stops.

A legal document that designates another person to make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.

A motor speech disorder resulting from neurological injury of the motor component of the motor-speech system.

Difficulty swallowing, which requires more time and effort to move food or liquid from your mouth to your stomach.

In a long-term care insurance policy, the amount of time that must pass after a qualifying event before the insurance company will begin paying benefits.

A way to provide food through a tube placed in the nose, the stomach, or the small intestine.

A process where a state Medicaid program seeks repayment for long-term care costs by making a claim against the deceased recipient's estate.

A period immediately following the date an insurance policy takes effect during which no coverage is provided.

Actions to help reduce the number of accidental falls suffered by older people.

A person or organization that acts on behalf of another person or persons, putting their clients' interest ahead of their own.

A type of physical therapy. It can help improve your ability to stand and walk.

A primary care physician who specializes in treating conditions that affect older adults.

A legal process used to protect individuals who are unable to care for their own well-being due to infancy, incapacity or disability.

A document with which a patient appoints an agent to legally make healthcare decisions on behalf of the patient, when the patient is incapable.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. A federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information.

Supportive care provided in the home. Care may be provided by licensed healthcare professionals or professional caregivers.

A wide range of health care services that can be given in your home for an illness or injury.

The engagement of a person in gardening and plant-based activities, facilitated by a trained therapist.

Compassionate care for people experiencing the last phases of an incurable disease so that they may live as fully and comfortably as possible.

A surgical operation in which a piece of the ileum is diverted to an artificial opening in the abdominal wall.

Lack of voluntary control over urination or defecation.

Any housing arrangement designed exclusively for older adults, generally those aged 55 and over.

A policy option that provides for increases in benefit levels to help pay for expected increases in the costs of long-term care.

Requires more complex thinking skills than ADLs, including managing finances, using a telephone, taking medication, shopping, and transportation.

A nurse who cares for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled, working under the direction of RNs and doctors.

A written, legal document that spells out medical treatments you would and would not want to be used to keep you alive.

Services that include medical and non-medical care provided to people who are unable to perform basic activities of daily living.

Insurance coverage that provides nursing-home care, home-health care, and personal or adult day care for individuals age 65 or older.

A 60-month timeframe in which Medicaid reviews all asset transfers to ensure they were not given away or sold for less than fair market value in order to qualify for Medicaid.

A joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited income and resources. Often funds long-term care.

Programs that allow states to furnish an array of home and community-based services to Medicaid beneficiaries.

A physician who provides guidance and leadership on the use of medicine in a healthcare organization.

The federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities.

Hospital insurance that covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.

Medical insurance that covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.

Medicare Advantage. A type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare.

Prescription drug coverage.

A specialized kind of care provided in a secure unit for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.

A federally mandated process for clinical assessment of all residents in Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing homes.

A potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord where the immune system attacks the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers.

The clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals.

A medical doctor who diagnoses, treats and manages disorders of the brain and nervous system.

An advanced practice registered nurse who is authorized to independently examine, diagnose, and treat patients.

A profession that helps individuals across the lifespan do the things they want and need to do through therapeutic use of daily activities.

An official appointed to investigate individuals' complaints against maladministration, especially that of public authorities or care facilities.

Specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress.

Intravenous feeding, a method of getting nutrition into the body through the veins.

A brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, a tube passed into a patient's stomach through the abdominal wall, to provide a means of feeding.

Professionals who provide assistance and support to clients in their day-to-day lives, often in their homes.

Any information in a medical record that can be used to identify an individual.

Uses animals to interact with seniors to help improve their quality of life.

A medical doctor specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

The treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods such as massage, heat treatment, and exercise.

A medical professional who diagnoses illness, develops and manages treatment plans, prescribes medications, and often serves as a patient's principal healthcare provider.

A legal document giving one person the power to act for another person.

A medical condition that started before a person's health insurance went into effect.

A systematic process that utilizes recreation and other activity-based interventions.

A nurse who has graduated from a nursing program and met the requirements outlined by a state or country licensing body.

The use of life histories – written, oral, or both – to improve psychological well-being in older people.

A technology to enable monitoring of patients outside of conventional clinical settings, such as in the home.

A tool to help facilities in gathering definitive information on a resident’s strengths and needs.

Short-term relief for primary caregivers. It can be arranged for just an afternoon or for several days or weeks.

Measures used in place of physical constraints to keep patients safe without limiting their autonomy.

Housing that is suitable for the needs of an aging population.

A nursing facility with the staff and equipment to give skilled nursing care and/or skilled rehabilitation services.

Professionals trained to help people face life's challenges, including connecting them with resources and navigating healthcare systems.

A specialized legal document designed to benefit an individual who has a disability without compromising eligibility for government assistances.

Treatment to improve speech, language, and swallowing difficulties. Essential for patients recovering from strokes.

A professional who assesses, diagnoses, treats, and helps to prevent communication and swallowing disorders.

A strategy to qualify for Medicaid by spending excess assets on approved expenses.

Medicaid rules designed to prevent the healthy spouse from being left with little or no income and assets when the other spouse moves to a nursing home.

A symptom of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. It's confusion and agitation that may get worse in the late afternoon and evening.

The distribution of health-related services and information via electronic information and telecommunication technologies.

A surgical procedure to create an opening through the neck into the trachea (windpipe).

An individual person or member of a board given control or powers of administration of property in trust with a legal obligation.

A therapy developed for people with dementia that accepts their reality rather than trying to orient them to the present.

A machine designed to move breathable air into and out of the lungs, providing breathing for a patient who cannot breathe adequately.

A common behavior in people with dementia where they walk around aimlessly and may become lost.

Smart electronic devices that are worn close to and/or on the surface of the skin, where they detect, analyze, and transmit information.

Medical treatment for wounds, ranging from simple bandages to more complex procedures to prevent infection and promote healing.