An individual’s daily routine, including bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, walking, using the telephone, taking medications, and other personal care activities.

See Activities of Daily Living.

A daytime community-based program that provides a variety of health, social, and related support services in a protective setting. Programs are designed to meet the needs of functionally and/or cognitively impaired adults who can no longer be left at home alone. Adult day centers offer protected settings which are normally open five days a week during business hours and include a mixture of health, social an support services. Many programs provide meals and transportation services to and from a patients home, and specialized programs for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders. These programs often provide a respite, or break for family caregivers.

A category of Adult Day Care which provides comprehensive, professional support in a protected environment including on-site nurses, physical therapists, social workers, and/or other professionals for adults who are experiencing a decrease in physical, mental, and social functioning and require tailored medical and/or psychiatric supervision. Such centers normally offer a wide range of therapeutic and rehabilitative activities as well as social activities, meals, and transportation.

See Medical Directive.

Simple and generally inexpensive items designed to help maintain independence and to make daily living easier.

A progressive, neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of function and death of nerve sells in several areas of the brain, leading to loss of mental functions such as memory and learning. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia.

Alzheimer's Support Groups are groups made up of family members whose relatives have Alzheimer’s disease. Group members share coping techniques for handling the decrease in functioning of Alzheimer's patients.

A speech/language disorder that impairs a person's ability to communicate. It is most commonly the result of a stroke, but can occur from any severe head injury.

A chronic disease in which thickening and hardening of arterial walls interfere with blood circulation.

A battery-powered mechanical device that produces sound in the absence of a voice box (Larynx).

A facility that provides care to residents who cannot live independently, but who do not require around-the-clock nursing care or extensive medical supervision. Defined broadly, assisted living is any group residential program not licensed as a nursing home that can respond to unscheduled needs for assistance. ALFs are usually more residential than nursing homes, and emphasize privacy and autonomy while providing supervision and oversight. Generally, residents of an ALF need assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), but are otherwise able to care for themselves. ALFs do not provide a level of care sufficient to be certified as Medicare providers, but may in a few states be certified as Medicaid providers. Terminology varies from state to state, and a facility that is called an Assisted Living Facility in one state might be called other things in other states, i.e. a Residential Care Facility (RCF), Board and Care Home, a Domiciliary Care Facility, an Adult Care Home, or a Community-Based Care Facility.

A device that provides auditory assistance to the hearing impaired by amplification and direct delivery of the desired signal to the listener’s ear.

Provision of 15 or more hours of service a week for frail or ill elderly who require hands on personal care and help while living at home.

In legal terms, the person who is granted power-of-attorney.

A program designed to improve communication skills for the hearing impaired.

A licensed health care practitioner who specializes in the evaluation and rehabilitation of communication disorders associated with hearing loss.

A device used to measure a person’s hearing.

A program designed to improve listening skills.

A device that helps persons with severe speech disabilities express themselves, usually by non-verbal means.

The recipient of benefits, as funds or property, from an insurance policy or will.

An illness in which an individual knows what he wants to say, but cannot find the words to express himself in writing or speech.

See Geriatric Care Managers

Assessment and coordination of the overall care needs of a person, including both medical social needs. A service in which a professional, typically a nurse or social worker, assists in planning, arranging, monitoring, or coordinating long term care services. Services may include making an Assessment, creating a Care Plan and arranging for services in multiple locations from numerous people and organizations.

The detailed formulation of a program of action that addresses consumer needs.

Also called: Informal Caregiver, Primary Caregiver, Secondary Caregiver. Individuals, often family members or friends, who provide assistance to see that the physical, psychological, and/or social needs of another person are met.

Group led by a professional and/or volunteer that allows caregivers to meet in a supportive atmosphere to express their feelings, share coping skills, and learn about aging issues and resources for help.

See Care Management.

Opacity of the lens or capsule of the eye, causing partial or total blindness.

(NRS 449-1591) 1. In a residential facility with not more than 10 residents, a resident who, without the assistance of any other person, is physically and mentally capable of moving himself from the room in which he sleeps to outside the facility in 4 minutes or less. 2. In a residential facility with more than 10 residents, a resident who, without the assistance of any other person, is physically and mentally capable of moving himself from the room in which he sleeps to the other side of a smoke or fire barrier or outside the facility, whichever is nearest, in 4 minutes or less.

(NRS 449.1595) 1. In a residential facility with not more than 10 residents, a resident who, without the assistance of any other person, is not physically and mentally capable of moving himself from the room in which he sleeps to outside the facility in 4 minutes or less. 2. In a residential facility with more than 10 residents, a resident who, without the assistance of any other person, is not physically or mentally capable of moving himself the room in which he sleeps to the other side of a smoke or fire barrier or outside the facility, whichever is nearest, in 4 minutes or less.

The Children of Aging Parents (CAPS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting adult children and their aging parents. From it’s beginning as a self-help group, CAPS has grown into a national clearinghouse of information on elderly parent issues and resources for help. www.careguide.net

A physical or mental disability that continues or recurs frequently over a long period of time.

A temporary or permanent artificial opening into the colon to affect an artificial anus.

Volunteers, business and agencies that provide friendly assistance and companionship to elders. Can include conversation, light housekeeping and meal preparation, running errands and providing transportation.

Apartments or rooms in a multi-unit building or garden complex, planned and designed for the elderly.

Congregate meals are hot and nutritious lunches provided daily in local Senior citizen Centers.

Counseling services are generally provided to caregivers by individuals trained in social and interpersonal relations. This service is designed to assist caregivers in adjusting to the change in personal roles, and learn effective tools for controlling personal and family stress.

Help and supervision with daily living activities – dressing, eating, personal hygiene, and similar functions.

A clinical term used to describe a group of brain disorders that disrupt and impair cognitive functions (thinking, memory, judgment, personality, mood, and social functioning).

Federal income tax credits for certain home care services and adult daycare services. Check with your local IRS office or a tax advisor for details.

A disease that impairs the ability of the body to use sugar and causes sugar to appear abnormally in the urine.

A method of grouping illnesses that is used to calculate Medicare Part A reimbursements to hospitals and nursing homes. DRGs are based on the patient’s diagnosis rather than on the actual length of the hospital stay.

The bottom number in a blood pressure reading, which means the least pressure of the blood against the artery wall.

A legal document which names a person who will make health care decisions for the principal if that individual becomes incompetent or unable to express wishes for himself or herself.

A power of attorney that is enforceable even if the principal becomes disabled or incapacitated.

A speech disorder caused by a weakness and/or lack of coordination of the nerves and muscles that control speech.

Elder abuse refers to any situation in which an elderly individual may suffer emotional or physical abuse from another individual.

An attorney who specializes in the laws that deal with the rights and issues of the health, finances, and well being of the elderly and the power of other individuals and the government to control them.

The Eldercare Locator can put you in touch with state and local information that enables older persons to find help to remain independent in their own homes. It can also help caregivers find ways to get a well-deserved break.

A method to produce sound used by a person whose voice box has been removed.

The food passage which extends from the mouth to the stomach, also known as the gullet.

The term used to represent all of an individual or couple’s personal assets.

A plan for what will happen to an individual or couple’s personal assets.

The person named in a will to carry out the distribution of an estate.

Community-based, resident driven, collaborative programs that offer information, assistance and referrals into the community. FRCs are neighborhood based and funded by state legislation.

This program provides free transit service on local established bus routes, and rapid transit lines during mid-day and evening hours, on week days and weekends.

Geriatric Care Managers specifically trained in geriatric care management, and provide case management services on a fee-for-service basis to individual clients.

A licensed professional who assists the elderly and their families in understanding and coping with the social, emotional, and psychological aspects of aging. The social worker coordinates, directs, and instructs in the accessing of services.

A medical doctor with special education and training in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disabilities in older people.

A professional who specializes in the mental and behavioral characteristics of aging.

Assisted living in a licensed and regulated home

An individual appointed by a court of law to manage a person’s financial and/or personal affairs because the court has found that the person is not competent to manage his or her own affairs. A conservator is similarly appointed, but only for financial affairs.

The process in which an individual is appointed by a court of law to manage a person’s financial and/or personal affairs because the person is not able to or is not competent to manage his/her own affairs.

Special parking for handicapped individuals. If you are interested in handicapped parking placards or license plates contact the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles at: DMV Special Plates 555 Wright Way Carson City, NV 89711, 1-877-368-7828-Toll Free www.dmvnv.com/platesdisabled.htm

See Durable Medical Power of Attorney.

Hot and nutritious meals are delivered to homebound persons during the week who are unable to prepare their own meals and have no outside assistance.

A licensed provider that delivers medical services in patients’ homes. HHAs may be Medicaid-certified. Individual plan of care records are kept on each patient, there is supervision by a qualified professional (RN or licensed social worker), and the facilities employees receive appropriate specialized training. HHAs usually provide Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, or Nurse Aides, and may provide therapists or other medical providers. Some HHAs provide Durable Medical Equipment, as well.

Physician ordered health service performed in the home by someone with special training to provide medical care including registered nurses, physical, speech, occupational and respiratory therapists and home health aides.

A program for low income seniors which can include safety inspection of heating appliances, weather stripping, insulation, storm windows, etc.

A trained person providing household cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, laundry, transportation, and personal care for an elderly person. Does not include nursing care.

Usually a combination of at-home and hospital care of the terminally ill that combines medical and social services. It is designed to help both the patient and the family. Hospice care emphasizes pain control, symptom management, and emotional support rather than life-sustaining equipment.

Community based acute care hospitals provide short term in-patient health care.

The formation of an artificial opening into the ileum, the lowest division of the small intestine.

The loss of voluntary control over bladder or bowel functions.

Self contained apartments designed to promote independence, and provide common space and activities. Also Independent Living Facilities.

Those who do so without pay to distinguish them from people who are paid to provide this assistance.

An individual willing to provide a service to a dependent person without reimbursement, e.g., family member or neighbor.

Permission that is given by a person with mental capacity after receiving full disclosure of options.

Activities such as preparing meals, doing housework, doing laundry, shopping, using transportation, managing money, using telephone and doing home maintenance (chores and repairs).

A nursing facility that provides help with personal or social care and a minimum of medical supervision. Often a section of a nursing home or personal care home.

Irrevocable living trusts are similar to revocable living trusts, except that you cannot revoke (that is, change or end) the trust after you have established it. In addition to having the same benefits as a revocable trust, an irrevocable trust also may prevent the loss of government benefits for a loved one.

People use joint ownership of property for many purposes. Joint ownership can have positive or negative effects on access to jointly owned property. Your decision should be based on your trust in the person with whom you hold joint ownership and your needs and intentions with regard to your property.

A person who has had the larynx totally or partially removed.

The surgical procedure to remove the voice box (larynx).

A structure containing the vocal cords that is located in the front of the neck, also known as the voice box.

Central visual acuity is 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of the best corrective lens; or a field defect in which the widest diameter of the remaining field subtends and angle no greater than 20 degrees.

A trust created during the life of the grantor. An irrevocable living trust is often used in estate and tax planning. All assets become the property of the trust and, generally, the trust is liable for income tax payable on amounts earned by those assets, but may result in removing assets from the estate and, therefore, reducing possible estate tax liability. It should be noted, however, that the transfer of assets to the trust may result in gift tax liabilities.

An advance directive is a written document that you may use under certain circumstances to tell others what care you would like to receive or not receive should you become unable to express your wishes at some time in the future. See Medical Directives.

A general term that describes a range of medical, nursing, custodial, social, and community services designed to help people with chronic health impairments or forms of dementia.

This type of insurance policy is designed to cover long term care expenses in a facility or at home. Neither Medicare nor Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap) will pay for these expenses.

A private arrangement in which an individual or couple remains in their own home and rents a room to a capable person in exchange for help.

A service providing a hot or other appropriate meal that complies with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The meals are served in a group setting such as a senior center or elderly housing facility and are usually associated with activities to promote social interaction and reduce social isolation.

Provides one daily nutritious meal to eligible clients who are (1) home-bound and (2) unable to prepare meals and are without an informal provider to do meal preparation. Each meal must equal one-third of the Recommended Dietary Allowance. Clients must be 60+.

The health insurance program financed by the federal and state governments for eligible low-income people 65 and older. A payment of part or all of the cost of certain medical care and services as defined in Title XIX: Social Security Act Section 1905 (a); 42 U.S. Code Section 1396d (a). Needy older people can have their Medicare deductibles and co-payments paid by Medicaid. Medicaid may also pay for nursing home care if the individual’s income and assets are within certain limits.

Also called a Living will, Advanced Medical Directive, and Health Care Proxy. This legal document enables an individual to give instructions about future medical care, in the event they have become incompetent or are unable to speak for themselves due to illness. Documents vary form state to state. See Living Will/Advance Health Care Directive.

The national health insurance program for eligible people 65 and older and some disabled individuals. Part A covers hospital costs. Part B covers doctor bills and other medical costs. Patients must pay deductibles and co-payments, and make up any expenses not covered by Medicare.

Medigap is designed specifically to supplement and complement Medicare’s benefits by filling in some of the gaps of Medicare coverage. Medigap insurance policies are non-group policies that may pay for Medicare deductibles, prescription drugs, or other services not covered by Medicare.

Private health insurance policies intended to cover medical costs not fully covered by Medicare. See also Medigap.

Facilities that provide physician-ordered medical services and supervised nursing care on a 24-hour basis for persons who do not require acute care hospitalization, and whose needs can only be met through in-patient care in a long-term care nursing facility.

A licensed professional therapist who helps a person relearn activities of daily living (ADLS) through rehabilitation and modification and devices for the home environment to help the person function more independently.

Nevada Division for Aging Services provides an ombudsman program to investigate complaints made by or on behalf of older persons in long term care facilities or living in the community.

This Federal Act requires a preadmission screening and resident review of individuals, of all ages, with mental illness, mental retardation or other related conditions prior to admission to a nursing facility

A medical doctor who is trained to diagnose and treat diseases of the eye and who can provide total eye care.

A doctor of optometry who examines eyes for both health and vision problems, and can prescribe lenses or vision therapy to restore and maintain good vision.

A physician who specializes in the medical treatment of the ear, nose and throat.

A list of policies and procedures to be followed to ensure that patients receiving health care services will be treated with dignity and will participate fully in decisions relevant to their health care.

Personal Care services provided through businesses or agencies and include: meal preparation and assistance with all activities of daily living (ADL) and some light housekeeping.

Equipment that monitors the safety of older people in their homes through signals electronically transmitted over the telephone and received at an emergency-monitoring center.

A licensed professional who treats impaired motion or disease through exercise, massage, hydrotherapy, or mechanical devices to improve physical mobility.

In Nevada, any person of capacity, 18 or older can make a Power of Attorney to designate another person to act on his/her behalf. The power of attorney can be limited to certain specific responsibilities or can cover large general areas of decision-making regarding your financial affairs. It is best to work with your attorney to make it as precise but flexible as you need.

A hearing impairment that is caused by the aging process.

The doctor who is consulted first when a health problem occurs and on whom the patient relies for advice, referrals, and ongoing care.

The individual who has the main responsibility for helping an older person. The individual usually is the one who makes decisions and organizes care and services.

Program for eligible individuals who cannot afford a Medigap (supplemental) insurance policy. Contact the local Medicaid office for more information.

Rehabilitation hospitals provide a multidisciplinary approach to goal setting, planning and delivery of patient care. The treatment team may include physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, respiratory therapists, social services, psychological services and orthotic/prosthetic services. Nursing care is available 24-hours-a-day. Therapies are provided throughout the day with each patient receiving a minimum of three hours of therapy a day.

Temporary caregiving services are provided when the primary caretaker needs time away from caregiving. Respite care is provided in-home or an alternative location for a short stay.

Persons who do not meet the vision standards for a driver’s license may qualify for a restricted license. This restricts operating hours for older drivers.

Corporation for National Service Program for volunteers aged 55 and older which places volunteers at non-profit and health care agencies.

Retirement Communities provide a wide spectrum of care from independent living arrangements to skilled nursing facilities to their residents.

A reverse mortgage enables elderly homeowners to convert the equity in their homes to monthly income or a line of credit. For information, contact the nearest HUD office.

A revocable living trust allows you to transfer ownership of your property to a separate entity called a trust which is managed according to the rules you establish in the trust document for the benefit of the beneficiaries named in the trust.

Provides assistance on a part-time basis.

A term used to refer to the mental and physical deterioration of old age. Not a medical term. See dementia.

A program available in some communities that matches individuals for the purpose of living together in one house. One of the individuals may be the owner of the house.

The comprehensive federal program of benefits providing workers and their dependents with retirement income, disability income, and other payments.

A licensed health care practitioner trained at the master’s or doctoral level who provides diagnostic and treatment services to individuals with speech, language hearing, cognitive, and swallowing problems.

The art of understanding speech through the interpretation of gestures, lip movements and facial expressions.

A nursing facility resident who was admitted as private pay and after “spending down” to no longer having private resources to pay for NF care, is now applying for MA coverage.

Supplemental Security Income

An opening or orifice that is surgically created.

Rental assistance is available through Federal Government to low-income elderly people and families. Income eligibility is 50% of median income for county residence.

The top number in a blood pressure reading, which indicates the greatest pressure of the blood against the wall of the blood vessel.

Telecommunications Device for the Deaf also known as TTY and TDD enables both hearing and speech-impaired individuals to connect any phone utilizing one of the local MRC (Message Relay Centers). In addition to telephone equipment, specialized software is now available to enable use of computers as a communication device.

Daily Phone contact from a volunteer to a disabled or elderly person is provided to check on their safety and to provide personal contact.

The wind pipe (or the air passageway) between the larynx and the lungs.

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers a variety of programs to assist veterans and their families.

The ability of the eye to perceive the detail of objects in the direct line of sight. Visual acuity is measured by viewing standardized letters of varying sizes on a char and is expressed as a ratio (e.g., 20/20).

An injury to the brain characterized by the difficulty to understand spoken and written language.

A legal document that sets forth a person’s wishes for disposing of assets after death.