Senior Resources HubGlossary

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) is a term used to refer to actions we do daily as part of the self care routine including bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and other personal care activities. Occupational therapists, home health aides, and personal care assistants often coach or assist our clients with their ADLs.

Caregiver refers to anyone who provides care for a senior including family members, friends, home health aides, personal care assistants, and medical professionals like nurses, physical, occupational and speech therapists. Most all of us will be caregivers at some point in our lives.

Custodial Care is non-medical assistance with activities of daily life (such as bathing, eating, dressing, using the toilet) for clients who need assistance performing those activities.

Home Care describes care delivered in the home including both medical and private-duty care.

Home Health Care refers to intermittent medical care provided by a Medicare-certified agency. Care is delivered by nurses and other skilled clinicians including physical, occupational, and speech therapist and overseen by a physician. The home health care team may also include a home health aide for limited personal care.

Home Health Nurse includes both Registered Nurses (RN’s) who oversee home health care and complete initial assessments and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN’s) who deliver routine care.

State Tested Nurse Assistant (STNA) is an Ohio Department of Health approved training program/designation for aides working in long-term care settings, hospitals, homecare, and hospice who perform basic patient care.

Home Health Aide (HHA) is a trained professional who provides personal care like bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and minor housekeeping, meal preparation, and dementia support services under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) during an episode of care.

Physical Therapy (PT) helps restore strength, flexibility, coordination, mobility and general function to clients experiencing a decline or after a hospital or rehab stay.

Private Duty are services at Home Care Concierge bring practical in-home care solutions to seniors when they need a helping hand.

Occupational Therapy (OT) helps improve, sustain, or restore independence after an injury or illness by focusing on Activities of Daily Living.

Speech Therapy (ST) helps restore or improve speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive function loss after an illness or injury including stroke and dementia.

Medical Social Worker (MSW) provides grief counseling, coordination of community resources, and assistance with social and emotional issues that often accompany acute and chronic illness.

Advance Directive written statement of an individual’s preferences and directions regarding health care. Advance Directives protect a person’s rights even if he or she becomes mentally or physically unable to choose or communicate preferences regarding medical treatments.

Alzheimer’s Disease the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s affects memory, thinking and other mental abilities. Alzheimer’s develops slowly and gradually worsens over time. While there is no cure for the condition, there are treatments to help manage the symptoms.

Care Plan Meeting in-person review of care treatments. Meetings typically include care provider(s), loved one(s), and the care recipient, as applicable.

Dementia general term used to describe a set of symptoms that affects intellectual and social abilities such as memory, problem solving and communication.

Dementia Care specialized care that helps those diagnosed with dementia.

Discharge Planner social worker or nurse who assists patients and their families with health care arrangements following a hospital stay.

Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR) request that instructs medical professionals not to attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Living Will legal document that specifies medical or life-sustaining treatments in the event the patient is unable to make decisions or communicate.

Long Term Care broad spectrum of medical and support services provided to persons who have lost some or all capacity to function on their own, and who are expected to need such services over a prolonged period of time.

Medicaid joint federal and state health insurance program available to those with limited income and resources. Eligible individuals include pregnant women, children age 19 or younger, persons age 65 or older, and those who are blind, disabled or in need of nursing home care. Medicaid will pay for nursing facility care, provided the nursing facility is certified.

Medicare health insurance program administered by the federal government. Medicare is available to people who are age 65 or older, permanently disabled, or affected by kidney failure or long term kidney disease. Medicare does not provide a comprehensive long term care component.

Medicare Part A hospital insurance that helps pay for inpatient hospital care, limited skilled nursing care, hospice care, and some home health care. Most people get Medicare Part A automatically when they turn 65.

Medicare Part B medical insurance that helps pay for doctors’ services, outpatient hospital care, and some other medical services that Part A does not cover (like some in-home health care). Part B helps pay for these covered services and supplies when they are medically necessary. A monthly premium must be paid to receive Part B.

Occupational Therapy (OT) helps improve, sustain, or restore independence after an injury or illness by focusing on Activities of Daily Living.

Ombudsman advocate for patient/resident rights and improvements in the long term care system.

Personal Care assistance with “activities of daily living,” such as getting out of bed, bathing, using the toilet, dressing, walking or eating.

Physical Therapy (PT) helps restore strength, flexibility, coordination, mobility and general function to clients experiencing a decline or after a hospital or rehab stay.

Rehabilitative Care care services that assist those recovering from illness, injury or disease. Rehabilitative care treatments help patients regain abilities lost as a result of life-changing events.

Respite Care short term relief program offered in a variety of care facilities. Respite care gives both caregivers and loved ones a break. In respite care, a skilled care professional assumes caregiver responsibilities for a predetermined amount of time.

Skilled Nursing Care 24/7 comprehensive care provided in a home-like setting. Skilled Nursing Care centers promote autonomy and choice. They offer a variety of services, social activities and recreational opportunities. Also called “nursing homes.”

Speech Therapy (ST) helps restore or improve speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive function loss after an illness or injury including stroke and dementia.