As caregivers you will be exposed to a totally different vocabulary the following is a short list of some of the more common care giving…

Try: As caregivers you will be exposed to a totally different vocabulary the following is a short list of some of the more common care giving terms and their definitions glossary activities of daily living adl’s bathing dressing grooming eating bed mobility transferring toileting and walking adult day care center a structured program usually weekdays which may feature activities meals health and rehabilitative services for the elderly in a supervised setting transportation is sometimes included in the fee advanced directives these documents provide a way for an individual to accept or refuse medical care they can protect your rights even if you become mentally or physically unable to choose or communicate your wishes living wills and durable power of attorney for health care are two examples of advanced directives assisted living a facility that provides individual living units which may or may not have a kitchenette facility offers 24 hour on-site response staff additional nursing or homemaker services can be provided at an additional fee caregiver individuals who are not paid and provide practical physical psychological social spiritual emotional hands-on and or financial support this enables a frail or physically challenged person to live at home despite illness or disability primary caregivers are those who make decisions and organize care and services caregiver support group a 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 case manager care manager a social worker or health care professional who evaluates plans locates coordinates and monitors services with the care recipient and family chore housekeeping services services include yard and house maintenance home and appliance repair housekeeping or meal preparation shopping and transportation no personal care is provided not covered by medicare companion a companion provides assistance with shopping meal preparation escort companionship and home upkeep no personal care or nursing care is provided conservator person appointed by the court in a legal proceeding to act as the legal representative of a person who is mentally or physically incapable of managing his or her own affairs durable power of attorney a power of attorney that stays in effect even after the maker becomes incompetent emergency response systems allows for 24 hour monitoring and response to medical or other emergencies estate planning steps you can take while living to determine what happens to your property when you die family and medical leave act fmla this law states than an employer must allow their employee 12 weeks of unpaid leave during a 12-month period a to care for an immediate family member spouse child or parent with a serious health condition; b for the birth and care of the employee’s newborn child; c for the placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care; d to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition geriatric care manager a professional usually a social worker or nurse with experience in geriatric care who performs an individual assessment establishes a care plan and oversees all aspects of long-term care to assist an elderly person this also indirectly assists the person’s family members the care manager conducts assessments makes arrangements for services and monitors the provision of those services the services can meet a one-time need or provide ongoing assistance guardian 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 health care power of attorney allows the holder to decide on the health care of an incompetent person home health agency medical care in the home services can include nursing occupational speech or physical therapy social work or a home health aide medicare usually only covers this care during an acute period of illness home health aide provides personal care including bathing dressing and grooming and some household services hospice medical and social programs for terminally ill patients and families either at home or in a facility incapacity can be mental or physical temporary or permanent a person can be incapacitated without being incompetent incompetence requires a legal declaration of being found incapable of handling assets and exercising certain legal rights instrumental activities of daily living iadls tasks that in addition to activities of daily living adls a person must be able to perform in order to live independently without the assistance or substantial supervision of another person examples include grocery shopping meal preparation using the telephone laundry light housekeeping bill paying and managing medications most long-term care insurance policies will not pay benefits for the loss of ability to perform iadls level of care loc amount of assistance required by consumers which may determine their eligibility for programs and services levels include protective intermediate and skilled living will a document that makes a person’s wishes regarding medical treatments at the end of life known long-term care facilities institutions that provide nursing care to people who are unable to care for themselves and who may have health problems ranging from minimal to serious these facilities are often used for short-term rehabilitation after hospitalization long-term care insurance a privately paid policy which provides money for pre-determined health care costs after policy holder meets certain medical requirements medicaid medical assistance a federal and state government program in which the states provide health care for low-income individuals medicare federal program providing health care coverage insurance for individuals over 65 and some who are disabled part a covers in-patient care skilled nursing facility hospice and short-term health care part b covers doctors’ services outpatient hospital care and durable medical equipment it does not provide for long-term care of the elderly except under limited conditions ombudsman a person who investigates consumer complaints against a nursing home or community resident facility power of attorney a legal document allowing one person to act in a legal matter on another’s behalf respite designed to relieve the caregiver from care giving duties either in the home community setting or care facility respite care may be from a few hours to several weeks support group a gathering of people with a common experience e g a disease disorder care giving etc who meet regularly to share one’s thoughts feelings and concerns and receive information and support from other group members groups may be led by an expert or a volunteer many support groups are now available on-line via the internet support groups may be sponsored by social service agencies senior center religious organizations as well as organizations such as the alzheimer’s association vitals blood pressure temperature and respiratory rate will a legal document that instructs how an individual wants his or her estate to be divided after death the document usually names a person in charge of overseeing the will usually an executor information references

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*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

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