In the accompanying list, you will find explanations for some of the terminologies commonly used in discussions of senior housing and other care communities for the elderly. The elderly will be better able to prepare for their futures and make informed decisions if they comprehend the jargons used by care professionals and senior living specialists.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Bathing, dressing, using the restroom without assistance, eating, and moving around to undertake life’s daily demands are all examples of ADLs.
Adaptive / Assistive Equipment
A tool, device, or gadget used to facilitate personal care, recreational, or professional tasks. This can include things like a wheelchair ramp, a raised toilet seat, or modified cutlery.
Aging in Place
The term “aging in place” refers to the practice of allowing elderly people to stay at home or with family members as they age, regardless of their cognitive or physical abilities. In-home caregiving services and other resources are needed for this idea to work.
Center for Medicare and Medicaid
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is the US federal agency in charge of healthcare programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. There is data available for consumers, local governments, and healthcare experts.
Continuum of Care
Help for a wide variety of medical needs, provided by trained professionals. Options like this may be found in assisted living communities, skilled nursing communities, hospice care centers, private residences, and retirement communities.
Emergency Call System
A central emergency call system, such as call buttons in strategic positions within the community, is provided in some senior care communities to ensure that residents may get immediate assistance in the event of an emergency.
Family Council
Family Councils not only improve existing activity programs, but they also serve as a resource for their residents, facilitating learning and providing emotional support. Some skilled nursing communities have Family Councils, which are led by members of the community’s administration.
Independent Living
A retirement community program designed for relatively fit and active older adults who are looking for leisure and social opportunities. They can mostly handle their own grooming and other personal care needs but could use some help with daily chores like cooking and cleaning.
Pre-Admission Screening
Evaluation of an elderly’s physical, mental, emotional, and social functioning in order to establish a retirement community admissions decision.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation services for those in need of extensive work in physical, occupational, or speech therapy to regain lost abilities.
Resident Care Plan
Medical, nursing, mental, and emotional requirements of nursing home residents are met through the use of a documented plan of care produced by an interdisciplinary team. This plan includes explicit, quantifiable objectives and timetables for the provision of services.
Survey
At least once per year, the Quality Assurance section of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability conducts a comprehensive, unannounced examination of every retirement community in the state.
Support Group
Support group is a facilitated gathering of people who are dealing with a disease or condition, such as caregivers, family members, friends, or those affected by the disease or condition.
