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Glossary of Home Care Terms
activities of daily living (ADLS)
Describes daily activities including dressing, bathing, eating, toileting, transferring out of a bed or chair, walking. inability to perform one or more ADLs is often used as eligibility criteria for long term care services.
adult day care
Community-based group programs designed to meet the needs of functionally and/or cognitively lmpalred adults. Adu centers provide a caring, home-like protected setting for individuals They are normally open five days a week during business hours and are a mixture of health, social and support services specialized programs for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders also.
alzheimer's disease
A progressive neurological disease that affects braln functioning, includlng short-term memory loss, inablllty to remember, the deterioration of language and the ability to care for oneself. An estimated 3% of people between the ages of 65 and 74 have Alzheimer's rising to about half those age 85 and over. Currently. Alzheimer's disease is incurable.
anticipatory grief
The deep emotional distress that occurs when someone has a prolonged Illness and death is expected often by then, as well as the family. Anticipatory grief can be just as painful and stressful as the actual death of the person.
area agency on aging(AAA)
Created by the federal Older Americans Act. AAAs represent a nationwide network of over 600 programs. They are the focal point for aging concerns at the community level. Services include information and referral. nutrition, employment, in- services, counseling, legal services, and day health care with an emphasis on ease of access.
asslsted llvlng facility (ALF)
An out-of-home care option for elderly persons who continue to lead relatively active, healthy, and inde lives. Most ALFs feature apartment-style llvlng and many services for the elderly, and do not accept public financing but rely on prlvate residents or their famllles. bereavement
To be In a sad or lonely state due to a loss or death, board and care home -A small to medium-sized group residence that provides residents with a prlvate or shared mom, meals, and in some assistance with activities of daily living, but not skilled nursing.
board and care home
A small to medium-sized group residence that provides residents with a prlvate or shared mom, meals, and in some assistance with activities of daily living, but not skilled nursing.
caregiver
Someone who provides assistance generally in the home environment, to an aging parent, spouse, other relative, or unrelated person, or to an ill or disabled person of any age. A caregiver can be a family member friend, volunteer, or paid professional.
care manager
A professional who finds and coordinates appropriate social and medical services for elders or persons with a disability. Sometimes referred to as a "case manager."
chronic care
Ongoing provision of medical, health, social, psychological, and spiritual care services that enable persons with serious persistent conditions to optimize their functional independence and well-being.
cognitive impairment
A deflclency in a person's Short or long term memory, orientation as to person, place and tlme, deductive or ab reasoning, or judgment. Typically related to an Illness or injury (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, stroke or traumatlc brain injury).
companion caregiver services
Companlons services provide In-home ~non-medlcal care, whlch can include cooking, light cleaning, I reminders, bathing asslstance, conversation, and light errands. May also be termed "senior home care, home care services, caregiver.
dementia
The medical term for a group of symptoms that describes a loss of intellectual ability, including loss of mental processes (e.g, vocabulary, abstract thinkng judgment, memory loss, physical coordination) that interfere with daily actiities The symptoms can be very degenerative diseases (e.g . Alzheimers, Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases) vascular diseases or stroke, metabolic disorders, liver kidney disfunction or certain vitamin deficiencies) AIDS, drugs and alcohol, or psychiatric disorders. Some dementing disorders respond to treatments, others do not.
depression
A reversible psychiatric dlsorder characterized by an inability to concentrate, difficulty sleeping, feellnga of hopelesanesa, tho 'bluos," and guilt.
discharge planner
A nurse or social worker who assists patients and families in transitioning from the hospital to another setting. Sel include assistance n locating home care serviced rehab Itat on. or nursing home care.
elder abuse
Elder abuse can be defined in a variety of ways including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse: neglect, abandonment and self-neglect. Most often is defined as an action taken by someone who is trusted by an elder that abuses.
elder care
A relatively new and growing area of health care concerned with providing medical and other services for the rapidly growing population (most often persons 85 and older).
geriatrician
A geriatrician is a physician who specializes in the care of the elderly, primarily those who are frail and have complex social problems.
home care
Provides a range of supportive services in the home from intensive medical support to assistance wlth activities of daily living.
housekeeping
This type of care can include nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapists, and other rehabilitation. This support allows many elders and people with other disabilities to remain in their own homes.
home health aids
Individuals who provlde care to older adults or people with disabilities at home. Training or certification may vary for health aids but typical services include assistance with activities of daily living. managing medications and some household tasks.
homemaker servlces
Services delivered at home which do not include hands-on care including shopping, laundry, light cleaning. meal preparation and transportatlon assistance. Also referred to as home chore services hospice - Literal meaning "a place of shelter." Today it refers to sevices and care at home (or in a health facility) for terminally ill indivuals their families. Hospice care primarily manages pain and discomfort.
in-home care
Provides a range of supportive services in the home from intensive medical support to assistance with activities of daily housekeeplng. This type of care can include nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other rehabilitation. This support allows many elders and people with disabllltles to remaln in their own homes.
independent provider
A home care worker who is hired privately, outside of a home care agency.
infusion therapy
Also called Intravenous Therapy. The introduction of fluld other than blood into a vain.
long term care (LTC)
lncludes a wide range of sewlces at home, in the community and in residential care facilities including nursing long term care companlon care, health and social a services, rehabilitative. therapeutic, skilled nursing, and other supportlve, personal care or supervision provided over an extended period of time.
meals on wheels
A nationwide program of home-delivery of hot lunches. Usually operates Monday through Friday.
medicaid
A joint federal-state program which covers health services for low-income individuals and families. Coverage and eligibility requirements vary from state to state. Medicaid is the primary payer of nursing home care. In addition, many states offer some level of community-based long-term care sevlces for eligible individuals. Such additional services are at the option of the state and are not mandated by federal law.
medicare
The primary health insurance program for people aged 65 and older and those with certain disabilities. Medicare coverage is primarily for acute hospital care, physician services, brief stays in skilled nurslng facilities, and short-term skilled home care related to a medical conditons. Medicare coverage is determlned by the nature of services required by the patlent, not the specific diagnosis. Coverage is restricted to care, and does not include prescription drugs or custodial care at home or in nursing homes.
nursing home
A generic term for a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF).
occupational therapy
A rehabilitation professional who assists individuals to compensate for functional limitations as a result of an illness or dlsability by learnlng skills and technlques needed to perform activities of daily living and optimized independence.
personal emergency response system (PERS)
An electronic device that enables the user to contact help. In case of a fall or other emergency a number of private companles offer PERS systems which link the user wlth designated contact persons and local emergency services on a 24-hour basis.
residential care facility (REF)
An out-of-home care optlon for elderly persons who are no longer able to live alone and independently but still not requiring skilled nursing care. RCFs typically provide assistance wlth personal hygiene, grooming, and other activities of daily living, recreational and social services.
respite care
Temporary or Intermittent care for individuals wlth disabilities, illnesses, dementia or other health concerns to give reliet to family or primary caregivers from the demands of ongoing care. Respite care can be provided at home, adult day care centers or overnight in a facility.
senior center
Community-based programs that provide a variety of services, including social activities, nutrition, and educational and recreational opportunities for older adults.
skilled nursing facility (SNF)
An ou-of-home care optlon for elderly persons who requlre continuous nurslng care. SNFs can provide extensive care
services such as intravenous feedlngs, blood pressure monltoring, medication injections, and care for patients on ventilators.
sub-acute care
Specifies a level of maintenance care where there is no immanent or life-threatening condition which requires medical treatment. hospitals typically do not provide sub-acute care on an ongolng basis. Sub-acute-care may include long-term ventilator care or other care provided on a routine basis either at home or by trainied staff at a skillled nurslng facility.
substantial assistance
This describes a situation where hands-on, stand-by help is required to perform activities of dally living.
telephone reassurance
Friendly calls provided by agencies or volunteers that offer reassurance, contact, and socialization for an elder at a predetermlned tlme each day.
Describes daily activities including dressing, bathing, eating, toileting, transferring out of a bed or chair, walking. inability to perform one or more ADLs is often used as eligibility criteria for long term care services.
adult day care
Community-based group programs designed to meet the needs of functionally and/or cognitively lmpalred adults. Adu centers provide a caring, home-like protected setting for individuals They are normally open five days a week during business hours and are a mixture of health, social and support services specialized programs for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders also.
alzheimer's disease
A progressive neurological disease that affects braln functioning, includlng short-term memory loss, inablllty to remember, the deterioration of language and the ability to care for oneself. An estimated 3% of people between the ages of 65 and 74 have Alzheimer's rising to about half those age 85 and over. Currently. Alzheimer's disease is incurable.
anticipatory grief
The deep emotional distress that occurs when someone has a prolonged Illness and death is expected often by then, as well as the family. Anticipatory grief can be just as painful and stressful as the actual death of the person.
area agency on aging(AAA)
Created by the federal Older Americans Act. AAAs represent a nationwide network of over 600 programs. They are the focal point for aging concerns at the community level. Services include information and referral. nutrition, employment, in- services, counseling, legal services, and day health care with an emphasis on ease of access.
asslsted llvlng facility (ALF)
An out-of-home care option for elderly persons who continue to lead relatively active, healthy, and inde lives. Most ALFs feature apartment-style llvlng and many services for the elderly, and do not accept public financing but rely on prlvate residents or their famllles. bereavement
To be In a sad or lonely state due to a loss or death, board and care home -A small to medium-sized group residence that provides residents with a prlvate or shared mom, meals, and in some assistance with activities of daily living, but not skilled nursing.
board and care home
A small to medium-sized group residence that provides residents with a prlvate or shared mom, meals, and in some assistance with activities of daily living, but not skilled nursing.
caregiver
Someone who provides assistance generally in the home environment, to an aging parent, spouse, other relative, or unrelated person, or to an ill or disabled person of any age. A caregiver can be a family member friend, volunteer, or paid professional.
care manager
A professional who finds and coordinates appropriate social and medical services for elders or persons with a disability. Sometimes referred to as a "case manager."
chronic care
Ongoing provision of medical, health, social, psychological, and spiritual care services that enable persons with serious persistent conditions to optimize their functional independence and well-being.
cognitive impairment
A deflclency in a person's Short or long term memory, orientation as to person, place and tlme, deductive or ab reasoning, or judgment. Typically related to an Illness or injury (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, stroke or traumatlc brain injury).
companion caregiver services
Companlons services provide In-home ~non-medlcal care, whlch can include cooking, light cleaning, I reminders, bathing asslstance, conversation, and light errands. May also be termed "senior home care, home care services, caregiver.
dementia
The medical term for a group of symptoms that describes a loss of intellectual ability, including loss of mental processes (e.g, vocabulary, abstract thinkng judgment, memory loss, physical coordination) that interfere with daily actiities The symptoms can be very degenerative diseases (e.g . Alzheimers, Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases) vascular diseases or stroke, metabolic disorders, liver kidney disfunction or certain vitamin deficiencies) AIDS, drugs and alcohol, or psychiatric disorders. Some dementing disorders respond to treatments, others do not.
depression
A reversible psychiatric dlsorder characterized by an inability to concentrate, difficulty sleeping, feellnga of hopelesanesa, tho 'bluos," and guilt.
discharge planner
A nurse or social worker who assists patients and families in transitioning from the hospital to another setting. Sel include assistance n locating home care serviced rehab Itat on. or nursing home care.
elder abuse
Elder abuse can be defined in a variety of ways including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse: neglect, abandonment and self-neglect. Most often is defined as an action taken by someone who is trusted by an elder that abuses.
elder care
A relatively new and growing area of health care concerned with providing medical and other services for the rapidly growing population (most often persons 85 and older).
geriatrician
A geriatrician is a physician who specializes in the care of the elderly, primarily those who are frail and have complex social problems.
home care
Provides a range of supportive services in the home from intensive medical support to assistance wlth activities of daily living.
housekeeping
This type of care can include nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapists, and other rehabilitation. This support allows many elders and people with other disabilities to remain in their own homes.
home health aids
Individuals who provlde care to older adults or people with disabilities at home. Training or certification may vary for health aids but typical services include assistance with activities of daily living. managing medications and some household tasks.
homemaker servlces
Services delivered at home which do not include hands-on care including shopping, laundry, light cleaning. meal preparation and transportatlon assistance. Also referred to as home chore services hospice - Literal meaning "a place of shelter." Today it refers to sevices and care at home (or in a health facility) for terminally ill indivuals their families. Hospice care primarily manages pain and discomfort.
in-home care
Provides a range of supportive services in the home from intensive medical support to assistance with activities of daily housekeeplng. This type of care can include nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other rehabilitation. This support allows many elders and people with disabllltles to remaln in their own homes.
independent provider
A home care worker who is hired privately, outside of a home care agency.
infusion therapy
Also called Intravenous Therapy. The introduction of fluld other than blood into a vain.
long term care (LTC)
lncludes a wide range of sewlces at home, in the community and in residential care facilities including nursing long term care companlon care, health and social a services, rehabilitative. therapeutic, skilled nursing, and other supportlve, personal care or supervision provided over an extended period of time.
meals on wheels
A nationwide program of home-delivery of hot lunches. Usually operates Monday through Friday.
medicaid
A joint federal-state program which covers health services for low-income individuals and families. Coverage and eligibility requirements vary from state to state. Medicaid is the primary payer of nursing home care. In addition, many states offer some level of community-based long-term care sevlces for eligible individuals. Such additional services are at the option of the state and are not mandated by federal law.
medicare
The primary health insurance program for people aged 65 and older and those with certain disabilities. Medicare coverage is primarily for acute hospital care, physician services, brief stays in skilled nurslng facilities, and short-term skilled home care related to a medical conditons. Medicare coverage is determlned by the nature of services required by the patlent, not the specific diagnosis. Coverage is restricted to care, and does not include prescription drugs or custodial care at home or in nursing homes.
nursing home
A generic term for a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF).
occupational therapy
A rehabilitation professional who assists individuals to compensate for functional limitations as a result of an illness or dlsability by learnlng skills and technlques needed to perform activities of daily living and optimized independence.
personal emergency response system (PERS)
An electronic device that enables the user to contact help. In case of a fall or other emergency a number of private companles offer PERS systems which link the user wlth designated contact persons and local emergency services on a 24-hour basis.
residential care facility (REF)
An out-of-home care optlon for elderly persons who are no longer able to live alone and independently but still not requiring skilled nursing care. RCFs typically provide assistance wlth personal hygiene, grooming, and other activities of daily living, recreational and social services.
respite care
Temporary or Intermittent care for individuals wlth disabilities, illnesses, dementia or other health concerns to give reliet to family or primary caregivers from the demands of ongoing care. Respite care can be provided at home, adult day care centers or overnight in a facility.
senior center
Community-based programs that provide a variety of services, including social activities, nutrition, and educational and recreational opportunities for older adults.
skilled nursing facility (SNF)
An ou-of-home care optlon for elderly persons who requlre continuous nurslng care. SNFs can provide extensive care
services such as intravenous feedlngs, blood pressure monltoring, medication injections, and care for patients on ventilators.
sub-acute care
Specifies a level of maintenance care where there is no immanent or life-threatening condition which requires medical treatment. hospitals typically do not provide sub-acute care on an ongolng basis. Sub-acute-care may include long-term ventilator care or other care provided on a routine basis either at home or by trainied staff at a skillled nurslng facility.
substantial assistance
This describes a situation where hands-on, stand-by help is required to perform activities of dally living.
telephone reassurance
Friendly calls provided by agencies or volunteers that offer reassurance, contact, and socialization for an elder at a predetermlned tlme each day.
Contact Us
Call Direct: (800) 404-6633 or Email Us
We Provide Assistance With...
- Medication
- Mouth care, skin care, hair, shampoo
- Assistance with exercise
- Assistance with walking (walker, cane, wheechair)
- Fall and safety supervision
- Transferring using Hoyer lift
- Escort to doctor's appointments, day care, religious service, shopping, and errands
- Diaper change
- Temperature monitoring
- Blood pressure
- Catheter care
- Meal preparation (ensure compliance to diet)
- Light housekeeping and laundry