If you are starting to explore assisted living for yourself or a loved one, you’ll likely come across terms you don’t recognize. There are a lot of unique assisted living concepts that can be confusing, but they are not as complicated as they seem. Common words and phrases that you’ll likely encounter include:
- Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s): Basic daily activities, such as eating, bathing, dressing, and taking medications.
- Acute: A brief but serious health care condition, such as a heart attack or recovery from surgery.
- Alzheimer’s Disease: A chronic and progressive disease leading to memory loss and eventually difficulty controlling language and responding to the environment.
- Aging in Place: Ability to care for senior needs from onset to passing in the community.
- Ambulatory: The mobility of the resident such as walking, wheelchair or walker dependent.
- Assessment: An evaluation of a senior’s needs before treatment or admission to a senior living community.
- Assisted Living or Assisted Care: A type of care or community that assists seniors with some daily tasks.
- Caregiver: A person who provides care to a senior.
- Certified Nursing Assistant: An entry-level health care professional who provides basic medical treatment and tasks under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
- Co-Insurance: The amount owed for a medical bill or service after the insurance company has paid its share.
- Culture Change: A change in environment, such as moving to assisted living, requires some adjustment by seniors.
- Deductible: The amount owed to an insurance provider before they pay the costs of a treatment or service.
- Dementia: A general term referring to the impaired ability to remember, think, or communicate.
- Eldercare: Long term care insurance that provides care for older adults including assisted living, nursing homes, and home care.
- Exceeds Level of Care: When the care required by a senior exceeds the abilities of their community.
- Health and Rehabilitation Center: A facility that provides training and therapy for rehabilitation.
- HIPPA: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act is a federal law intended to protect sensitive health information.
- Independent Living: A type of community for seniors who need no daily assistance and live active lifestyles.
- Life Enrichment Program: Activities that support seniors’ social, physical, emotional, and cognitive wellness.
- Living Will: A legal document that specifies what actions should be taken if a senior is no longer able to make decisions for themselves.
- Long-Term Care: Services that are provided for longer durations, typically for individuals unable to care for themselves due to injury, disability, or other chronic issues.
- Managed Care: Health care that focuses on reducing costs while maintaining quality.
- Medicaid: Insurance provided by the government for low-income individuals.
- Medicare: Insurance provided by the government for elderly individuals.
- Memory Care: Care catered specifically to seniors experiencing memory issues.
- Physical Therapy: Therapy that teaches seniors how to be more mobile following a health issue.
- Pre-Admission Screening: An examination prior to a health care visit to determine what care is needed.
- Registered Nurse: A nurse with specific training to provide medical services.
- Senior Living Community: A living community designed to care for seniors.
- Skilled Nursing Facility: A senior living community that provides in-depth medical care for residents.
- Respite Care: Temporary care provided to a senior to relieve regular caregivers.
- Resident Care Plan: A long-term plan that dictates things like medical treatment and daily activities for seniors.
- Support Group: Groups of peers that support families and seniors through challenges.
Your search for the best-assisted living option for you or a loved one can feel overwhelming, but understanding the basics of common terms related to assisted living can make that process both easier and less daunting.
