AARP
Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons. An association of people to promote the welfare of senior citizens.
Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
An individual's daily habits such as bathing, dressing and eating. ADLs are often used as an assessment tool to determine an individual's ability to function at home, or in a less restricted environment of care.
Acute Care
A pattern of health care in which a patient is treated for an acute (immediate and severe) episode of illness, for the subsequent treatment of injuries related to an accident or other trauma, or during recovery from surgery.
Assisted Living
Broad range of residential care services, but does not include nursing services. Normally lower in cost than nursing homes.
Attendant Care
Services
Forms of assistance which help a person with a disability meet his or her essential needs at home or at work, such as bathing, toileting, dressing, cooking, eating, communicating, traveling to and from work and similar personal needs.
Beneficiary
The person designated to receive benefits from an insurance policy or health plan.
Caregiver
One who provides daily care that enables a frail or physically challenged person to live at home despite illness or disability.
CHAMPUS
Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Veteran's Administration; a cost-sharing health plan for dependents of qualified disabled veterans.
CHAP
Community Health Accreditation Program, the leader in improving the quality of care in the home care industry.
Disease Management
Integrated treatment plans for patients with chronic or recurring conditions so that each encounter is not viewed as a distinct event but as part of an overall care process.
Home Health Aide
Also known as homemaker home health aides or home attendants, these workers are employed by families with an elderly and/or disabled family member to assist the family in caregiving, helping the patient remain in the home.
Home Health Care
Full range of medical and other health related services such as physical therapy, nursing, counseling and social services that are delivered in the home of a patient, by a provider.
Homemaker Services
Programs that provide in-home workers to do light housekeeping (including laundry and meal preparation), shopping and errands. Homemakers may also assist with self-administered medications and with personal care tasks such as grooming, bathing and dressing.
Hospice
Facility or program providing care for the terminally ill.
Infusion Therapy
The intravenous (IV) administration of medications and nutrition, including fluid replacements, chemotherapy and antibiotics.
JCAHO
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations; an independent non-profit group that accredits healthcare organizations and monitors quality of care provided.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Insurance designed to pay for some or all of the costs of long-term care.
Medicaid
A joint federal and state program that provides hospital expense and medical expense coverage to the low-income population and certain aged and disabled individuals.
Medicare
A federal government program established under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act of 1965 to provide hospital expense and medical expense insurance to elderly and disabled persons.
National Alliance for Caregiving
Non-profit coalition dedicated to providing support to family caregivers and the professionals who help them and to increasing public awareness of issues facing family caregivers.
Older Americans Act
The Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 calls for a range of programs that offer services and opportunities for older Americans, especially those at risk of losing their independence. The Older Americans Act focuses on improving the lives of older people in areas of income, housing, health, employment, retirement and community services.
Palliative Care
Whole array of services that eases the transition from life to death. It includes management of pain and physical symptoms, but goes well beyond the physical. Palliative care also includes care and sympathy for emotional suffering, loss and bereavement. It helps the patient and those who love and care for the patient, deal with the ambiguities of serious illness.
Pennsylvania Department of Aging
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging was created in 1978 by the state legislature after years of intensive lobbying by individuals and groups representing our rapidly growing elderly population. The department works hand-in-hand with the Governor's Office and the General Assembly on legislation affording older persons a quality way of life.
Pastoral Care
Assists patients, families and friends as they call on the supportive dynamics of their spiritual beliefs and traditions to help them in the healing process.
PDA Waiver
A program that is set up to allow money that is traditionally used for nursing home care to be used for care for individuals who want to remain at home
Provider
Provider: Healthcare professional or facility or group of healthcare professionals or facilities that provide healthcare services to patients.
Respite Care
Short term, temporary care provided to people with disabilities in order that their families can take a break from the daily routine of care giving. Respite services may sometimes involve overnight care for an extended period of time.
State Department of Health
The Department of Health has the duty and power to protect the health of the people. It has authority to enforce all statutes pertaining to public health for the prevention and suppression of disease and injury. The Department also works closely with local health agencies in cities, counties and municipalities.
Telehealth
Efforts of health telecommunicators, information technology and health education to improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare.
Veterans Administration
Serve the needs of America's veterans by providing primary care, specialized care, and related medical and social support services.
