Glossary
Activities of Daily Living (ADL's) -Everyday activities such as bathing, grooming, eating, toileting, and dressing.
Adult Day Care -Daily structured programs in a community setting with activities and health-related and rehabilitation services to elderly who are physically or emotionally disabled and need a protective environment. This care is provided during the day, the individual returning home for the evening.
Caregiver -A healthcare professional, family member or friend who attends to the needs of a patient.
Case Manager -A health care professional who monitors the allocation and coordination of a patient's overall care.
Durable Medical Equipment (DME) - Equipment that can stand repeated use, is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose, generally is not useful to a person in the absence of illness or injury, and is appropriate for use at home, such as hospital beds, wheelchairs and oxygen equipment.
Gait Training -Gait training refers to helping a patient relearn to walk safely and efficiently.
Home Healthcare Agencies -Provide in-home services which may range from assistance with light housekeeping to skilled nursing care. Home health agencies may provide an alternative for individuals who wish to remain in their own homes while receiving necessary care.
HomMed Monitoring -A device used in the home to record blood pressure, heart rate, weight, temperature, and O2 saturation.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL's) -Day to day tasks such as preparing meals, shopping, managing money, taking medications, and housekeeping.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) -LPNs are trained to administer technical nursing procedures as well as provide a range of health care services, such as administration of medication and changing of dressings.
Medicare -A federal program that pays for certain healthcare expenses, for people 65 years of age or older.
Medicaid -A program funded by the federal and state governments, that pays for for medical care for people who cannot afford it on their own.
Medical Social Worker (MSW) - Medical social services professionals help individuals, couples and families cope with the social, psychological, cultural and medical issues resulting from an illness. Professionals in medical social services also help patients fully utilize medical care and services
Occupational Therapy - A treatment that focuses on helping people achieve independence in all areas of their lives, to improve their cognitive, physical, and motor skills and enhance their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment.
Physical Therapy -Process that includes individualized programs of exercise to improve physical mobility, often administered following a stroke, fall, or accident. Physical therapists plan and administer prescribed physical therapy treatment programs for residents to help restore their function and strength.
PT/INR -Since PT and INR (PT/INR) evaluate the ability of blood to clot properly, they can be used to assess both bleeding and clotting tendencies. They are prescribed on a long-term basis to patients who have experienced recurrent inappropriate blood clotting
Photo Therapy -Phototherapy, or light therapy, is the administration of doses of bright light in order to treat a variety of disorders.
Registered Nurse (RN) - Graduate trained nurse who has both passed a state board examination and is licensed by a state agency to practice nursing. The RN plans for resident care by assessing resident needs, developing and monitoring care plans in conjunction with physicians, as well as executing highly technical, skilled nursing treatments.
Telemedicine -Health care consultation and education using telecommunication networks to transmit information.
VoiceCare Personal Emergency Response System -VoiceCare Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) is an emergency alert system with monitoring service designed for use by senior citizens and individuals with disabilities in need of medical and personal assistance.