SENIOR & MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING (ADLs): Self-care activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, walking and all necessary activities required to function on a daily basis. ADULT DAY CARE: Specialized care offered during business hours Monday through Friday, following the business model of child day care programs. Sometimes transportation is provided. Meals are included along with activities to promote socialization and physical and mental stimulation. ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES (APS): The official agency mandated to receive, investigate and respond to complaints of neglect and abuse of the elderly. ADVANCE DIRECTIVES: Legal documents outlining how a person’s medical decisions are to be handled including living will, power of attorney for health care and power of attorney for finances and may be part of a trust or estate plan. AGING IN PLACE: The concept of remaining in one’s home regardless of changes in health or care needs. This can take place in a senior living community or in one’s home. ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: Common form of dementia — accounts for 70 percent of all dementia. AMBULATORY: The ability to walk independently, including walking with the use of an assistive device such as a cane or walker; not bedridden. ASSESSMENT: An evaluation performed of a person’s mental, emotional and social capabilities. ASSISTED LIVING or ASSISTANCE IN LIVING (AL): Housing for an elderly or disabled person that provides room, meals, transportation, housekeeping, medication management, laundry, social activities and various levels of care. BED HOLD: A reservation placed on a nursing home bed if a resident is only going to be hospitalized temporarily or on therapeutic leave. Bed holds are mostly needed by Medicaid patients to prevent another Medicaid patient from taking their place. CERTIFIED NURSING AIDE (CNA): Provides assistance in daily living, including bathing, transfers and feeding. CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY (CCRC): A retirement community organized to provide care for all stages of aging. Independent living townhomes or apartments are offered, along with assisted living and nursing care. DEMENTIA: A group of symptoms that accompanies certain diseases; loss of thinking, remembering and reasoning. May also include behavioral changes and moods. DO NOT RESUSCITATE (DNR): A written and legal order that a patient does not want to be resuscitated. DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT (DME): Reusable medical equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs and hospital beds. Medicare will pay for some DME, with doctor’s approval. DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY (DPOA): A legal document giving another person authority to make financial and legal decisions if a person becomes physically or mentally incapable.
2021
Senior Services Directory • kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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