Caring for Elderly Parents Glossary
A comprehensive glossary of terms related to elderly care, aging, caregiving, medical conditions, and senior living options.
A
- Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- Basic self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, and continence. These are used to assess a person's need for assistance or long-term care.
- Adult Day Care
- Programs that provide social, recreational, and health-related services to adults who need supervised care during the day.
- Advance Directive
- A legal document that allows a person to outline their wishes for end-of-life medical care in case they become unable to communicate.
- Alzheimer's Disease
- A progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. It is the most common cause of dementia among older adults.
- Assisted Living Facility (ALF)
- A residential option for seniors who need some help with daily activities but do not require full-time nursing care.
B
- Bed Rail
- A safety device attached to the side of a bed to prevent the occupant from falling out. Their use is regulated in nursing homes due to safety concerns.
- Bedsore (Pressure Ulcer)
- An injury to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure, commonly affecting bedridden individuals.
- Beneficiary
- A person designated to receive benefits, such as insurance proceeds or trust assets, upon the death of the policyholder or trust creator.
C
- Caregiver
- A person who provides direct care and assistance to someone who is ill, disabled, or elderly. Can be a family member or professional.
- Caregiver Burnout
- A state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that can occur when caregivers don't get the help they need or try to do more than they are able.
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- A healthcare worker who has completed a state-approved training program and helps patients with daily activities under the supervision of a nurse.
- Cognitive Decline
- A gradual decrease in mental functions including memory, judgment, and reasoning ability.
- Conservatorship
- A legal arrangement in which a court appoints a person to manage the financial affairs of someone deemed unable to do so themselves.
- Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)
- A housing community that offers a range of services from independent living to skilled nursing care, all in one location.
D
- Dementia
- A general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type.
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
- Medical equipment prescribed by a doctor for use in the home, such as walkers, wheelchairs, hospital beds, and oxygen equipment.
- Durable Power of Attorney
- A legal document that grants another person the authority to make decisions on your behalf, even if you become incapacitated.
E
- Elder Abuse
- Any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult.
- Elder Law Attorney
- A lawyer who specializes in legal issues affecting older adults, including estate planning, guardianship, Medicare/Medicaid, and elder abuse.
- End-of-Life Care
- The support and medical care given during the time surrounding death, focused on comfort and quality of life rather than cure.
F
- Fall Prevention
- Strategies, modifications, and exercises designed to reduce the risk of falls in elderly individuals.
- Fiduciary
- A person or organization that acts on behalf of another person in good faith and trust, particularly in managing their financial affairs.
G
- Geriatrician
- A doctor who specializes in the health care of elderly people, focusing on the unique health challenges of aging.
- Grab Bar
- A safety device installed in bathrooms and other areas to provide stability and support, helping prevent falls.
- Guardianship
- A legal relationship where a court appoints a person to make personal and/or financial decisions for someone who can no longer make them independently.
H
- Home Care
- Professional caregiving services provided in the patient's home, including assistance with daily activities, medication management, and companionship.
- Home Health Aide
- A trained professional who provides personal care services such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation in the patient's home.
- Hospice
- A type of care focused on providing comfort and support to individuals in the final stages of a terminal illness, along with support for their families.
I
- Incontinence
- The inability to control bladder or bowel function, a common condition among elderly individuals.
- Independent Living
- A housing option for seniors who are mostly self-sufficient but want access to community amenities and social activities.
- Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
- More complex activities necessary for independent living, such as managing finances, transportation, shopping, meal preparation, and housekeeping.
L
- Living Will
- A legal document that outlines a person's wishes regarding medical treatment in situations where they can no longer express informed consent.
- Long-Term Care (LTC)
- A variety of services designed to meet a person's health or personal care needs over an extended period of time.
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Insurance designed to cover the costs of long-term care services, including nursing home care, home care, and assisted living.
M
- Medicaid
- A joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to eligible low-income individuals, including seniors who need long-term care.
- Medicare
- A federal health insurance program primarily for people aged 65 and older, covering hospital stays, medical services, and prescription drugs.
- Memory Care
- Specialized long-term care designed to meet the specific needs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
- Mobility Aid
- Any device designed to assist walking or otherwise improve the mobility of people with mobility impairments, such as walkers, canes, and wheelchairs.
N
- Nursing Home
- A facility that provides 24-hour nursing care for individuals who require constant medical attention and assistance with daily activities.
O
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Treatment that helps people regain or maintain the ability to perform daily activities after injury, illness, or disability.
- Ombudsman
- An advocate who investigates and resolves complaints on behalf of residents in long-term care facilities.
P
- Palliative Care
- Specialized medical care focused on providing relief from symptoms and stress of a serious illness, with the goal of improving quality of life.
- Physical Therapy (PT)
- Treatment using exercises and physical activities to help restore movement, strength, and function after injury or illness.
- Power of Attorney (POA)
- A legal document that gives another person the authority to act on someone's behalf in legal, financial, or medical matters.
R
- Respite Care
- Temporary care provided to give the primary caregiver a break from their caregiving responsibilities.
- Rollator
- A wheeled walker with a built-in seat, designed to provide mobility support for individuals who need more stability than a cane but don't need a wheelchair.
S
- Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
- A nursing home that provides a high level of medical care, including rehabilitation services, for patients who need 24-hour nursing supervision.
- Social Security
- A federal program that provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to eligible individuals and their families.
- Stairlift
- A mechanical device for lifting people up and down stairs, consisting of a chair or platform that rides on a rail mounted to the stairway.
- Sundowning
- A condition in which people with dementia become more confused, agitated, or anxious in the late afternoon and evening.
T
- Transfer
- The act of moving a person from one surface to another, such as from bed to wheelchair, requiring proper technique to prevent injury.
- Trust
- A legal arrangement where one party holds assets on behalf of another, often used in estate planning to manage and protect assets for elderly parents.
V
- Veterans Benefits
- Benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, including healthcare, disability compensation, and aid for veterans who need long-term care.
W
- Walker
- A mobility aid consisting of a frame that provides support and stability for people who need assistance walking.
- Ward of the State
- A person, typically a minor or incapacitated adult, who is placed under the protection and guardianship of the state when no family member is available or willing.