Definitions related to in-home care services

AID & ATTENDANCE (A&A)

This is a special benefit available from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for eligible veterans and their spouses who need in-home care assistance. It is paid in addition to a basic military pension.

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disorder that causes memory loss and a gradual deterioration of both mental and physical abilities.

ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING (ADL)

Tasks completed daily for personal care needs, such as bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting.
Everyday tasks required for home management, such as cooking, housekeeping, laundry, shopping, are known as Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL).

ADVANCE DIRECTIVES

Written statements, prepared in advance of a serious illness, in which an individual can state his or her preferences when a treatment decision is necessary.

CARE MANAGER

A health and human services specialist who, through a collaborative process, helps individuals or families needing in-home care to manage their physical, social and health conditions more effectively. The Care Manager identifies and prioritizes needs, coordinates services, resolves problems, and provides continuous client evaluations.

CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA)

An individual who assists patients or clients with health care needs under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

CONSERVATOR

The person, usually a relative, who is appointed by the courts to make decisions for an individual who is no longer capable of handling his or her affairs.

CONTINUING CARE

Services that continue as an individual ages and needs increasing levels of care. Typically, the assistance shifts from independent living to assisted living to skilled nursing care. Various plans exist for providing meals, housing options, activities, and personal care. Many retirement communities provide housing and a wide range of supportive services for older adults in continuing care.

DEMENTIA

A condition marked by an incapacitating decline of intellectual abilities, including memory and the ability to make safe decisions.

DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY

This is a legal document giving another person authority to make financial and legal decisions if the principal becomes physically or mentally incompetent.

GERIATRICS

The medical specialty treating the diseases and problems of old age. A physician in this field is known as a Geriatrician. The study of Geriatrics is known as Gerontology and a specialist in this field is known as a Gerontologist.

HEALTH CARE AGENT

A person who accepts the power to make health care decisions for someone else. The delegation of authority to a health care agent is known as a health care proxy.

HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM (HICAP)

Provides counseling on health insurance issues and options.

HOME HEALTH AIDE (HHA)

An individual who provides personal care in the home, including help with monitoring medications, exercises and other assistance for a disabled or elderly person.

HOSPICE

A facility or program designed to provide a centralized resource of palliative and supportive services to dying persons and their families in the form of physical, psychological, social and spiritual care.

LIVING WILL

A written statement specifying or limiting medical treatment. It is an official legal document, but states may have specific requirements about witnesses and other rules under which a living will is acceptable.

LONG TERM CARE

Medical and social services needed on a continuing basis, by an older or dependent adult, who can no longer manage as an independent person. Long-term care services can include ongoing in-home care or services in Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing homes.

LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE

Insurance designed to defray the cost of on-going long term care.

MEDI-CAL

The California Medicaid program. A federally aided, state operated and administrated program that provides medical benefits for qualified low-income persons in need of health and medical care.

MEDICATION REMINDERS

Visual or auditory reminders such as mediset boxes, bubble packets or medication monitoring machines, that assist individuals with limited cognition or physical ability to take prescribed medications at the appropriate time of the day.

MEDICARE

A Federal health insurance program available to older Americans and to many adults with disabilities. Medicare is divided into several parts. Part A covers inpatient hospital, rehabilitation in a skilled nursing facility, rehabilitative home health, and hospice services. Part B covers most reasonable and necessary medical services including outpatient physician's services, mental health care, durable medical equipment and other services. Part D helps subsidize the costs of prescription drugs.

PALLIATIVE CARE

Care usually provided by a hospice service for a patient with a terminal condition. The care is not provided to cure the patient but to manage pain and to make the patient as comfortable as possible.

PERSONAL ATTENDANT (PA)

An individual who assists clients with completion of daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, homemaker services, laundry, cooking, transportation and medication reminders.

PROTECTIVE CARE

Care that keeps people safe from injury and helps you take your medications on time. Protective care may include assistance with durable medical equipment, such as canes or walkers and the supervision of prescribed range of motion exercise.

RECREATION THERAPY

A therapeutic process that utilizes recreation services to improve physical or mental conditions and promote the growth and development of the individual.

RESPITE CARE

Support for a family member or other caregiver who is assisting an individual with a serious medical condition or dementia. Respite is designed to help the family member get a break from their caregiving responsibilities.

TRUSTEE

Legal term referring to a holder of property on behalf of a beneficiary. The trustee may be a company or a person, whether or not he or she is a prospective beneficiary.

Sources: California Department of Aging, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Institute on Aging.