A service in which a professional, typically a nurse or social worker, assists in planning, arranging, monitoring, or coordinating long term care services.

A professional who finds and coordinates appropriate social and medical services for elders or persons with a disability and their families. Sometimes referred to as a “case manager.”

Any health care professional (e.g., doctor, nurse or home care worker) or institution (hospital, clinic, or nursing home) that provides health care or related social services.

Individuals (typically family members or friends) who provide unpaid assistance to see that the physical, psychological, and/or social needs of another person are met.

The amount of money one may be entitled to receive from the insurance company when one terminates a life insurance or annuity policy. The amount of cash value will be determined as stated in the policy.

A medical devise used to control urinary incontinence using a receptacle bag.

Nursing Assistants help nurses in nearly every aspect of nursing care in hospitals, clinics, home health, assisted living, private homes, and doctor’s offices. Providing an estimated 80% of hands-on care in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home- and community-based long-term care settings, Nursing Assistants are key to providing daily care to patients, helping with meals, baths, exercises, treatments and more. CNAs and other direct care workers form relationships with those they assist as they care for emotional and physical needs on a daily basis. Nursing Assistants are responsible for recording vital signs (pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and temperature), recording fluid intake and outputs, weights, and recording other observations. They must be familiar with normal values for vital sign measurements and observations and report normal and abnormal findings to a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse.

Ongoing provision of medical, health, social, psychological, and spiritual care services that enable persons with serious and persistent conditions to optimize their functional independence and well-being.

A disease or condition is one that lasts over a long period of time and typically cannot be cured, often associated with disability.

An amendment to a will made in writing and attached to the original document.

A deficiency in a person’s short or long term memory, orientation as to person, place and time, deductive or abstract reasoning, or judgment. Typically related to an illness or injury (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, stroke or traumatic brain injury).

The amount one is required to pay for medical care in fee-for-service coverage or preferred provider organization after your deductible. It is usually a percentage of billed charges. For example, if the insurance company pays 70 percent of the claim, the coinsurance is 30 percent.

Services designed to help older and functionally impaired people stay independent and remain in their own homes (e.g., adult day care, senior centers, day respite programs).

Refers to residential care facilities (rest homes) licensed to provide care to individuals with mental health problems.

Companions visit isolated and homebound elders for conversation, reading, and light errands. May also be termed “friendly visitor” services.

An activity of daily living. The ability to maintain control of bowel and bladder function. Or, when unable to maintain control these functions, the ability to perform associated personal hygiene (including caring for catheter or colostomy bag)

Typically refers to a residential campus that provides a continuum of care – from private apartments to assisted living to skilled nursing care – all in one location. The primary advantage of this model is that an individual or couple does not need to relocate if health care needs change over time.

A charge one pays for a specific medical service. For example, one may pay $15 for an office visit or $10 for a prescription and the health plan pays the remainder of the medical charges.

Directing or supervising the actions of a person with a cognitive impairment (e.g., showing the person how to eat, giving visual or verbal reminders for dressing or toileting).

Transforming organizational culture to allow for the opportunity to create home wherever one chooses to live by deinstitutionalizing services and individualizing care within home or community-based services.