Senior Care Terms & Phrases
Glossary
24 Hour Care
In-home care that is provided for a continuous 24-hour period or full day.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
The tasks of everyday life. Basic ADLs include eating, dressing, getting into or out of a bed or chair, taking a bath or shower, and using the toilet.
Advanced Directives
A general term that describes two kinds of legal documents, living wills and medical powers of attorney. These documents allow a person to give instructions about future medical care should he or she be unable to participate in medical decisions due to serious illness or incapacity. Each state regulates the use of advance directives differently.
Aging In Place
The ability for seniors who choose to remain in their homes as they age instead of moving to an independent or assisted living community.
Alzheimer's Disease
A progressive neurodegenerative disease and brain disorder that destroys memory and other important mental functions.
Care Plan
Include tasks and goals to help caregivers provide the best care for an individual.
Care Team
A care team consists of a group of people committed to helping someone improve their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. This can include healthcare professionals, caregivers, family members, friends, spiritual advisors, social workers, and others.
Caregiver
A person who provides needed help to an individual.
Companion Care
Provides individuals with non-medical support. This may include; companionship, socialization, mental stimulation (puzzles, playing games, walking, reading out loud), medication reminders, meal prepping, laundry, light housekeeping, running errands, transportation to and from appointments, and reminders for hygiene and grooming.
Health Care Proxy
Legally recognized document authorized by a competent person designating another person to act as his/her agent with the authority to make health care decisions for the grantor should he/she become unable to make or communicate those decisions.
Home Care
Typically refers to in-home care that is non-medical; such as companionship. However this may be used to describe both medical and non-medical care in the home.
Hospice Care
A program that provides palliative and support for the terminally ill and their families.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)
The six daily tasks - light housework, preparing meals, taking medications, shopping for groceries or personal items, using the telephone and managing money - that enable a person to live independently in the community.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Coverage that helps policyholders pay for long-term care in their home or at a nursing home or assisted living facility, or for other designated services, depending on the policy.
Palliative Care
Treatment of patients that is centered around lessening the pain and managing the symptoms experienced by a person with a life-limiting illness. The goal of palliative care is to provide comfort to the patient, rather than a cure for his illness
Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
A communication devices designed to summon help when the user can't get to the telephone, typically with a button that they can push.
Memory Care
A distinct section or unity within a Long-Term Care Facility, specifically for individuals with probable diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease and/or dementia.
Personal Care
Personal care is a broad term that supports basic personal hygiene and activities of daily living, including dressing, grooming, and toileting.
Respite Care
A service that providers family or caregivers with temporary relief from the stresses and responsibilities of providing care for an individual.
Socialization
Social, intellectual, cultural, education and/or physical activities that encourage an individual to interact with others.
Stand by Assistance
The presence of another person within arm's reach required to prevent injury during the performance of one of the activities of daily living.
Sundowners Syndrome (Sundowning)
Refers to a state of confusion occurring in the late afternoon and lasting into the night. Sundowning can cause different behaviors, such as confusion, anxiety, aggression or ignoring directions. Sundowning can also lead to pacing or wandering.
Transitional Care
Care for those transitioning home after a hospital stay, procedure, or rehab.