Home Health Vocabulary

Question 1

Activities of Daily Living

Answer 1

Daily functions such as getting dresses, eating, taking a shower or bath, going to the bathroom, getting into a bed or chair, or walking from place to place.

Question 2

Adult Day Services

Answer 2

Community based programs that provide meals and structured activities for people with cognitive or functional impairments, as well as adults needing social interaction and a place to go when their family caregivers are at work.

Question 3

Assisted Living

Answer 3

Residences are for the elderly who need assistance with certain activities but do not suffer from conditions requiring continual medical care.

Question 4

Residential Care Facility Long Term

Answer 4

Provides 24-hour care by nursing staff.

Question 5

Case Manager

Answer 5

Works for the Health Authority and helps clients and families to manage care enabling the client to stay in their own home as long as possible.

Question 6

Care Plan

Answer 6

A detailed written plan that describes what is needed for an individual’s care. Who will provide that care and when it will be provided.

Question 7

Caregiver

Answer 7

Any person who provides care for someone needing assistance with the activities of daily living.

Question 8

Cognition

Answer 8

The process of knowing; being aware of thoughts. The ability to reason and understand.

Question 9

Culture Change

Answer 9

The common name given to the national movement for the transformation of older adult services, based on person-directed values and practices, where the voices of elders and those working with them always come first.

Question 10

Dementia

Answer 10

Loss of memory and other mental abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life.

Question 11

Discharge Planner

Answer 11

A nurse, social worker, or other professional who coordinates a patient’s transition (move) from one care setting to the next, such as from hospital to nursing home or to one’s own home with home health care and other services.

Question 12

Elder Abuse

Answer 12

Any knowing, intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or serious risk of harm to a vulnerable older adult.

Question 13

Family Caregiver

Answer 13

Any family member, partner, friend, or neighbor who provides or manages the care of someone who is ill, disabled or frai.

Question 14

Geriatrics

Answer 14

Branch of medicine that focuses on providing comprehensive health care for older adults and the treatment of diseases associated with the aging process.

Question 15

Independent Living

Answer 15

A residential location that may or may not provide hospitality or supportive services.

Question 16

Mild Cognitive Impairment

Answer 16

A transition stage between the cognitive decline of normal aging and the more serious problems caused by Alzheimer’s disease.

Question 17

Primary Care Provider PCP

Answer 17

Refers to doctors, nurse practitioners or physician assistants who provide routine care and preventive care for patients.

Question 18

Rehabilitation

Answer 18

Services to help restore mental and physical (bodily) functions lost due to injury or illness.

Question 19

Resident

Answer 19

A person who lives in a residential long term care setting, such as a nursing home or assisted living community.

Question 20

Transition- Transition

Answer 20

A move from one care setting (hospital, home, assisted living, nursing home) to another.

Question 21

Turnover

Answer 21

Average percentage of staff who stop working at a care setting each year.