Senior Care & Rehabilitation Glossary

Navigating the world of senior care can feel like learning a new language. This expanded glossary is designed to be a valuable resource to help residents, families, and friends understand the terminology used in care planning, healthcare, and community living.

A

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): The fundamental tasks of self-care, often used to assess an individual's level of independence and determine the type of care needed. The six basic ADLs are eating, bathing and grooming, dressing, toileting (using the toilet and managing personal hygiene), transferring (moving between a bed and a chair), and continence (bladder and bowel control). Difficulty with two or more ADLs often indicates a need for assisted living or skilled nursing care.

Adult Day Care: A community-based program providing a safe, supervised environment for seniors during the day. It offers a mix of social activities, therapeutic services, and health monitoring. 

Adult Protective Services (APS): A state-run program responsible for investigating reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults, including seniors. APS workers can provide intervention, connect individuals with services, and take protective action when necessary.

Advance Directive: A general term for legal documents that specify your healthcare wishes in the event you are unable to communicate them yourself. These are critical for ensuring your preferences are honored. The two most common types are a Living Will and a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (or Health Care Proxy).

Aging in Place: The ability for an individual to live in their own home or community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level. This often involves making home modifications, using assistive technology, or bringing in home care services as needs change.

Assessment / Evaluation: A comprehensive process, usually conducted by a nurse or social worker, to evaluate a person's physical, mental, social, and functional condition. The results of an assessment are used to create a personalized Care Plan and determine the most appropriate level of care for an individual.

Assisted Living: A residential care setting for seniors who need help with some ADLs but do not require the 24/7 intensive medical care of a skilled nursing facility. Residents typically have their own private apartment or room and share common areas. Services include meals, housekeeping, medication management, transportation, and a calendar of social and recreational activities.

C

Care Manager / Case Manager: A professional, often a nurse or social worker, who helps individuals and families navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. They assess needs, create care plans, coordinate services, and act as an advocate for the resident.

Care Plan: A personalized document created after an assessment that outlines the individual’s health needs, goals, and services. Care plans are developed by healthcare professionals (often as part of an interdisciplinary team) and reviewed regularly to ensure the resident receives the right level of support.

Caregiver / Family Caregiver: An individual, often a family member or close friend, who provides unpaid care and assistance to an older adult. Caregivers may help with ADLs, IADLs, transportation, medical appointments, and emotional support. They are a critical part of many seniors’ care networks.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): A trained and certified healthcare professional who provides hands-on care to residents under the supervision of a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN). CNAs are vital members of the care team, assisting with ADLs like bathing, dressing, and mobility.

Chronic Condition: A health condition that is persistent or long-lasting, such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Long-term care is often focused on managing the symptoms of chronic conditions to maintain the highest possible quality of life.

Cognitive Decline: A term used to describe a noticeable worsening of mental abilities, such as memory, reasoning, and judgment. It can range from mild cognitive impairment to more severe conditions like dementia.

Continuum of Care: A comprehensive system that provides a full spectrum of care options in one location or organization, allowing residents to transition smoothly between levels of care as their needs evolve. A community offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation is an example of a continuum of care.

Custodial Care: Non-medical care that helps with ADLs and IADLs. This type of care is focused on personal assistance rather than medical treatment and is often provided in assisted living settings or at home. Medicare does not typically cover long-term custodial care.

D

Dementia: A broad term for a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, reasoning, or other thinking skills. While Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause, other types include Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, and Frontotemporal Dementia. Each type affects the brain differently and may have unique symptoms.

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order: A specific medical order documented in a resident's chart, based on their advance directive, that instructs the medical team not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest.

G

Geriatrician: A medical doctor who specializes in the health and diseases of older adults. Geriatricians are experts in managing the complex medical, social, and cognitive issues that can affect seniors.

Gerontology: a multidisciplinary study of aging. It examines the biological, psychological, social, and cultural aspects of the aging process and its effects on individuals and society. Gerontology is a much broader field than geriatrics, it is concerned with the entire aging experience, not just the medical side.

H

Health Care Proxy: A legal document in which you appoint a person (your "proxy" or "agent") to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. This is a type of Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. Choosing a proxy is a critical part of advance care planning.

Home Care (Non-Medical): In-home services that provide personal assistance rather than skilled medical care. Examples include help with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, companionship, and transportation. Unlike home health care, home care is usually paid out-of-pocket or through long-term care insurance.

Home Health Care: Skilled medical services provided in a person's home, prescribed by a physician. This is distinct from non-medical home care. Services can include nursing care (e.g., wound dressing, IVs), physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Home health care is often covered by Medicare for a limited time following a hospital stay.

Hospice Care: A philosophy of care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for individuals with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of six months or less. Hospice care is not about curing the illness but about managing symptoms (palliative care), providing emotional and spiritual support for the patient and their family, and can be provided in any setting.

I

Independent Living: A residential setting for active, independent seniors who want the convenience of community living. It provides services like meals, housekeeping, and transportation, along with social and wellness programs, but does not include personal care assistance.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): Activities that support an independent lifestyle but are more complex than basic ADLs. These include managing finances, shopping, meal preparation, housekeeping, managing medications, using transportation, and communicating by phone or email. Difficulty with IADLs is often one of the first signs that a person may need additional support.

Interdisciplinary Team (IDT): A group of healthcare professionals from different disciplines—such as physicians, nurses, therapists, dietitians, and social workers—who work together to create and update a resident’s care plan. The IDT approach ensures a holistic view of the resident’s medical, emotional, and social needs.

L

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): A licensed nurse who provides direct patient care, such as administering medications, checking vital signs, and assisting with wound care, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or physician.

Living Will: A legal document and a type of advance directive that outlines your wishes regarding specific medical treatments you would or would not want if you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious. For example, it might specify your wishes about the use of a ventilator or feeding tube.

Long-Term Care (LTC): A broad term for services that support individuals with chronic illness, disability, or functional limitations over an extended period. Long-term care can be delivered at home, in assisted living, in memory care, or in skilled nursing facilities, and may include both medical and non-medical support.

Long-Term Care Insurance: A private insurance policy designed to cover the costs of long-term care services, such as assisted living or skilled nursing, which are not typically covered by Medicare.

M

Medicaid: A joint federal and state government program providing health coverage to low-income individuals. For seniors, Medicaid is a primary source of funding for long-term custodial care in a skilled nursing facility, provided the individual meets strict financial eligibility requirements.

Medicare: The federal health insurance program primarily for people aged 65 and over. Medicare covers acute medical needs like hospital stays and doctor's visits. It will cover short-term skilled nursing and rehabilitation services (up to 100 days) following a qualifying hospital stay, but it does not pay for long-term custodial care.

Medicare Advantage (Part C): A type of Medicare plan offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. These plans provide all Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) coverage, and often include prescription drug coverage (Part D) plus additional benefits such as vision, dental, or hearing. Coverage for long-term custodial care remains limited.

Medication Management: A service offered in assisted living, skilled nursing, and home health settings to ensure residents take the right medications at the right time. It can include storing medications securely, reminding residents to take doses, and monitoring for side effects or drug interactions.

Memory Care: A specialized form of care for individuals with dementia or other memory impairments. These units, often within an assisted living or skilled nursing facility, provide a secure environment, structured routines, and staff specially trained to manage the unique challenges associated with memory loss.

O

Ombudsman: A trained advocate who works to resolve problems and protect the rights of residents in long-term care facilities. They act as a neutral third party to mediate disputes between residents, families, and the facility administration. Their services are free and confidential.

Occupational Therapy (OT): A type of rehabilitation that helps individuals regain the skills needed for daily living and independence. OT often focuses on fine motor skills, self-care tasks, home safety, and adapting the environment to meet the individual’s abilities.

P

Palliative Care: Specialized medical care focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness, regardless of the prognosis. The primary goal is to improve quality of life. Unlike hospice, palliative care can be provided at any stage of an illness and alongside curative treatments.

Physical Therapy (PT): A type of rehabilitation focused on restoring strength, balance, mobility, and endurance after illness, surgery, or injury. PT often involves exercises, balance training, gait retraining, and pain management techniques.

Power of Attorney (POA): A legal document that gives another person the authority to make decisions on your behalf. A Financial POA grants authority over financial matters, while a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (or Health Care Proxy) grants authority over medical decisions. These are separate documents.

Private Pay: A term used when residents or families pay for senior care services out-of-pocket, rather than using insurance or government programs. Many assisted living communities and home care agencies operate primarily on a private pay basis.

R

Registered Nurse (RN): A licensed healthcare professional who has graduated from a nursing program and passed a national licensing exam. RNs are responsible for developing care plans, administering complex treatments, managing patient care, and supervising LPNs and CNAs.

Rehabilitation (Rehab): A program of therapies designed to help a person regain skills and function after an illness, injury, or surgery. The team often includes Physical Therapists (PTs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs). Rehab programs can be both in patient and out patient.

Resident: The preferred term for a person living in a senior care community, such as assisted living or a skilled nursing facility. It emphasizes that the facility is their home.

Respite Care: Short-term, temporary care that allows primary caregivers to take a break from their responsibilities. Respite can be for a few hours or several weeks and can be essential for preventing caregiver burnout.

S

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF): A state-licensed facility (also known as a nursing home) that provides 24-hour skilled nursing care and medical supervision. SNFs are for individuals with complex medical conditions or those needing short-term post-hospital rehabilitation.

Social Worker: A professional who helps residents and their families with social, emotional, and financial needs. They can provide counseling, connect families with community resources, assist with discharge planning, and help navigate applications for programs like Medicaid.

Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP): A licensed professional who diagnoses and treats communication, speech, voice, and swallowing disorders. In senior care, SLPs often help individuals recover after a stroke, manage swallowing difficulties, or maintain language skills in dementia care.

Supportive Housing / Senior Housing: Housing options designed for older adults who may not need daily assistance but benefit from an age-friendly environment, social opportunities, and sometimes limited supportive services. Examples include 55+ communities and age-restricted apartment complexes.

T

Therapy Services: A general term for rehabilitation services provided by Physical Therapists (PTs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs). Therapy services are commonly offered in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, and through home health care.

Telehealth / Telemedicine: The use of technology, such as video calls or remote monitoring devices, to deliver healthcare services without an in-person visit. Telehealth is increasingly used in senior care for physician consultations, mental health counseling, medication management, and monitoring chronic conditions.

Transitional Care: The process of coordinating and ensuring continuity of care as a patient moves from one healthcare setting to another, such as from a hospital to a skilled nursing facility or from a facility back home. The goal is to prevent gaps in care and reduce the risk of rehospitalization.