embracing aging
Aging-Related Terms Glossary
Welcome to our Terms Glossary! This is your go-to resource for understanding key terms and concepts related to elder care, aging, and senior well-being. Whether you’re a caregiver, family member, or simply exploring the world of elder care, our glossary provides clear, concise explanations to help you navigate with confidence.
From medical jargon to caregiving essentials, we’ve broken it all down into simple language so you can focus on what matters most: supporting your loved ones and making informed decisions. Dive in and discover the meaning behind the words shaping the world of senior care!
Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs)
Groups of healthcare providers that coordinate care to improve outcomes and reduce costs for patients.
Active Aging
A lifestyle promoting health, participation, and security as people age.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Everyday tasks like eating, dressing, bathing, and mobility that are essential for independent living.
Adult Care Home
Residential facilities offering care and supervision for adults who need assistance with daily tasks.
Adult Day Care
A service providing social and health-related care for older adults in a group setting during the day.
Adult Protective Services (APS)
Government programs designed to protect vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Advance Directive
Legal documents that outline a person’s preferences for medical care if they become unable to communicate.
Age-Friendly Health System (AFHS)
Healthcare systems designed to meet the unique needs of older adults, ensuring better outcomes.
Ageism
Prejudice or discrimination against individuals based on their age.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Centers that provide information and access to services for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Aging in Place
The ability to live in one’s own home and community safely and independently as one ages.
Aging Network
A system of organizations and services supporting older adults under the Older Americans Act.
Agnosia
A condition where an individual is unable to recognize or identify objects, people, or sounds, despite normal sensory function.
Agrammatism
A speech disorder where a person omits or misuses grammatical elements in speech, often found in individuals with aphasia.
Akinetic Mutism
A state of severe immobility and lack of speech, often associated with neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
Alzheimer’s Biomarker
Biological indicators, such as proteins or imaging results, that help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease.
Amyloid
A protein that can accumulate in tissues and organs, forming plaques, which is associated with diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Aphasia
A condition causing difficulty with speaking, understanding, reading, or writing due to brain damage.
Apraxia
A motor disorder that impairs the ability to perform purposeful movements, despite having the physical ability to do so.
Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
Local agencies that provide services and support for older adults and caregivers.
Arthritis
A condition causing joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness, commonly affecting older adults.
Assisted Living Facility (ALF)
A residential setting that provides assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, eating, and medication management, for individuals who are unable to live independently.
Assistive Technology
Devices or tools that help individuals with disabilities perform daily tasks, such as hearing aids or walkers.
Associative Agnosia
A type of agnosia where a person can recognize objects but cannot associate them with their correct function or use.
Balance and Vertigo
Issues related to equilibrium that can affect mobility and increase fall risk, especially in older adults.
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
A public health survey collecting data on health-related risk behaviors, chronic conditions, and preventive services.
Biodemography of Aging
The study of biological and demographic factors influencing aging and lifespan.
Blind vs Limited/Low Vision
Distinctions between complete blindness and partial vision impairments affecting daily activities.
Block Grant
A funding method allowing states or localities flexibility to address specific community needs.
Blue Zones
Regions where people live longer and healthier lives due to diet, activity, and community factors.
Bone Mineral Density (BMD)
A measurement that evaluates bone strength and risk of fractures, often used to diagnose osteoporosis.
Brain Plasticity
The brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize itself, which can continue even in older age.
BSE
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, a disease in cattle that can cause a prion-related condition in humans, commonly known as “mad cow disease.”
CAPABLE
A program combining nursing, occupational therapy, and handyman services to help older adults age in place.
CARE Act
Legislation ensuring that family caregivers are informed and trained when their loved ones are discharged from healthcare facilities.
Care Manager
A professional who coordinates the care and services for an individual, especially for those with chronic conditions or complex healthcare needs.
Care or Case Management
Coordinating and planning care services to meet the needs of older adults or individuals with disabilities.
Caregiver
A person who provides care and assistance to someone with physical or mental challenges, often a family member.
Caregivers Coaching Program (L3C)
Programs that support and train caregivers to provide effective care while managing their own well-being.
Case Manager
A person who helps manage an individual’s healthcare and services, ensuring they receive appropriate care and resources based on their needs.
Cellular Inclusion
Abnormal accumulation of substances inside cells, often seen in neurodegenerative diseases.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
A federal agency overseeing Medicare, Medicaid, and other health programs.
Central Nervous System
The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing and responding to information.
Cerebellar Ataxia
A condition affecting the cerebellum of the brain, leading to poor coordination, balance issues, and abnormal movement.
Cerebellar Signs
Symptoms related to dysfunction in the cerebellum, such as ataxia or tremors.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
A clear fluid found in and around the brain and spinal cord that helps protect and nourish the central nervous system.
Cerebrum
The largest part of the brain, responsible for voluntary actions, sensory processing, and cognitive functions.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
A healthcare professional who assists nurses in providing care to patients, especially in personal care tasks like bathing, feeding, and taking vital signs.
Certified Residential Facility (CRF)
A licensed facility that provides care and support services to individuals who need assistance but do not require the level of care provided in a nursing home.
Chore Service
Services that assist older adults with household tasks like cleaning, yard work, or minor repairs.
Chorea
Involuntary, jerky movements caused by neurological disorders, often associated with Huntington’s disease.
Chromosome
Structures within cells that contain genetic information in the form of DNA.
Chromosome 17q21 (FTDP-17)
A mutation in chromosome 17 associated with familial frontotemporal dementia.
Cluster Services
A model of care where several services are provided to individuals living in a specific geographic area.
Codon 129
A genetic variation in the prion protein gene that is associated with certain prion diseases, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Cognitive Assessment Testing
Tools used to evaluate memory, problem-solving, and other cognitive functions, often in the context of dementia screening.
Cognitive Health
The ability to think, learn, and remember clearly, crucial for maintaining independence in older age.
Co-Insurance Payment
The percentage of healthcare costs that an insured person must pay after the deductible has been met, typically a set percentage of the total cost.
Combined Form
A document that consolidates multiple forms or aspects of an application or process, often used in healthcare or insurance settings.
Community Based Services
Programs and support provided locally to help individuals remain in their communities.
Companion
A person hired to provide companionship and assist with daily activities, but not licensed to provide medical care.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Health practices outside conventional medicine, such as acupuncture or herbal remedies, sometimes used by older adults.
Congregate Meals
Nutritionally balanced meals served in group settings like senior centers for older adults.
Conscious Aging/Conscious Eldering
A mindful approach to aging that focuses on growth, purpose, and spiritual fulfillment.
Conservator
A person appointed by the court to manage the affairs of an individual who is unable to make decisions due to mental or physical impairments.
Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)
Communities offering various levels of care, from independent living to skilled nursing, allowing residents to age in place.
Continuum of Care
A comprehensive system of health and social services that meets the needs of individuals across their lifespan.
Co-Pay
A fixed amount an insured person pays for a healthcare service, usually due at the time of service, with the rest covered by the insurance plan.
Cortex
The outer layer of the brain, responsible for higher functions such as thought, memory, and decision-making.
Critical Access Hospital (CAH)
Small, rural hospitals providing essential healthcare services to underserved areas.
CT (Computerized Tomography)
An imaging technique that uses X-rays and computer processing to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body.
Cultural Competency
The ability of healthcare providers to effectively deliver services that meet the cultural, social, and linguistic needs of patients.
Custodial Care
Non-medical care that helps with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and eating.
DC Office on Aging (DCOA)
The governmental agency in Washington, D.C. that provides services and support for older adults, including advocacy, healthcare, and social programs.
Death Doula
Trained professionals who provide emotional and practical support to individuals and families during the end-of-life process.
De-Cluttering Service
Assistance in organizing and removing unnecessary items to create a safer and more functional living space.
Delirium
A sudden onset of confusion and disorientation, often caused by illness, medication, or hospitalization, and typically reversible.
Dementia
A group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities, often caused by diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Dementia-Friendly Communities
Communities designed to support individuals living with dementia through accessible spaces and educated residents.
Diabetic Retinopathy
An eye condition caused by diabetes that can lead to vision loss if untreated.
Dimensions of Aging
The physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects that shape the experience of aging.
Disability
A physical or mental condition that limits a person’s ability to perform certain activities or interact with the environment.
Discharge Plan (D/C)
A plan developed by healthcare providers outlining the care and support an individual will need after leaving the hospital or care facility.
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
The molecule that carries genetic information in cells.
Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR)
A medical order indicating that a person does not want life-saving treatment, such as CPR, in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest.
Domiciliary Care
Non-medical care provided in a residential setting, including personal assistance and supervision.
Dual Eligibles
Individuals eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid benefits due to age, disability, or income level.
Durable Medical Equipment
Medical equipment designed for long-term use to assist with daily living activities, such as wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, and hospital beds.
Dysesthesia
Abnormal or uncomfortable sensations, often described as burning or tingling, usually in the skin.
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing, which can be caused by various conditions including neurological disorders.
Dystonia
A movement disorder that causes muscles to contract uncontrollably, leading to abnormal postures or movements.
Elder Abuse
Any form of mistreatment or harm to an older adult, including physical, emotional, financial, or neglectful abuse.
Elder Economic Security Standard Index (Elder Index)
A tool measuring the income older adults need to meet basic expenses and maintain independence.
Elder Guardianship
Legal arrangements where a court-appointed guardian makes decisions for an older adult unable to do so independently.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
A test that records the electrical activity of the brain, often used to diagnose conditions like epilepsy.
Emergency Response System (ERS)
A device or service allowing individuals to call for help quickly in emergencies, often worn as a pendant or bracelet.
Encephalopathy
A general term for diseases that affect the brain, leading to dysfunction and cognitive impairment.
Energy Assistance
Programs that help low-income households, including older adults, pay for heating and cooling costs.
Episodic Memory
The ability to recall specific events or experiences from one’s past, often affected in conditions like dementia.
EQUIPPED (Enhancing Quality of Provider Practices for Older Adults in the Emergency Department)
A program to improve emergency care quality for older adults by reducing inappropriate medication use.
Ethnogeriatrics
The study of how cultural factors influence the health and healthcare of older adults.
Extra Help
A program offering assistance with prescription drug costs for low-income Medicare beneficiaries.
Extrapyramidal Signs
Symptoms related to abnormal movements, such as tremors or rigidity, often due to neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
Fall Risk Assessment
Evaluations to determine an individual’s likelihood of falling, often used to implement preventative measures.
Five Wishes
A document that helps individuals express their healthcare, personal, emotional, and spiritual wishes in advance.
Formulary
A list of prescription drugs that are approved for coverage by a health insurance plan, including preferred drugs and their cost tiers.
Frailty
A condition of increased vulnerability due to aging, characterized by reduced strength, endurance, and resilience.
Friendly Visitors and Telephone Reassurance
Programs providing companionship through home visits or regular phone calls to reduce social isolation.
Frontal Lobe
The part of the brain involved in decision-making, problem-solving, and controlling movements.
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
A group of brain disorders that affect the frontal and temporal lobes, often leading to personality changes, language difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD)
A group of neurodegenerative diseases that affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, often causing behavioral and personality changes.
Gait
The manner or pattern of walking, often assessed in neurological or physical evaluations.
Gene
A segment of DNA that contains the instructions for producing proteins, determining traits and biological functions.
Geriatric Care Managers
Professionals who help families coordinate and manage the care of older adults.
Geriatric Syndromes
A range of common health problems in older adults, such as frailty, incontinence, and cognitive impairment.
Geriatrician
A doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting older adults.
Geriatrics
A medical field focused on the health and care of older adults.
Gerontology
The study of aging and the challenges faced by older adults.
Geropsychology
The study of mental health issues affecting older adults, including depression, dementia, and anxiety.
Geroscience
The study of the biological processes of aging and how they relate to age-related diseases.
Gliosis
The process of scar tissue formation in the brain or spinal cord, often in response to injury or disease.
Grandfamilies
Families where grandparents are primary caregivers for their grandchildren.
Gray Matter
The regions of the brain and spinal cord made up of neuron cell bodies and involved in muscle control, sensory perception, and decision-making.
Green Houses/Green House Movement
A model of long-term care in which small, self-contained homes are designed to provide a more intimate and homelike environment for seniors.
Group Home
A residential setting where individuals, often with disabilities or special needs, live together and receive support and care.
Guardian
A legal representative responsible for making decisions on behalf of someone unable to do so.
GUIDE Model
A framework for dementia care that provides a holistic approach to treatment and support for individuals with dementia and their families.
GUIDE Model of Dementia Care
A specialized approach to dementia care that emphasizes individualized care planning, the environment, and caregiver support.
Hallmarks of Aging
Key biological processes that contribute to aging, including genomic instability, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cellular senescence.
Health Literacy
The ability to understand and use healthcare information to make informed decisions about one’s health.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
A type of health insurance plan that provides healthcare services through a network of providers.
Health Related Quality of Life
A measure of an individual’s perceived physical and mental health, influencing their overall well-being.
Health-Care Proxy
A legal document designating someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you’re unable.
Healthspan
The period of life during which a person is healthy, free from chronic disease or disability.
Hearing Loss
A decrease in the ability to hear, which can affect communication and quality of life, especially in older adults.
Home and Community-Based Waivers
Programs that provide long-term services and supports in a community setting, often as an alternative to nursing home care.
Home Care Provider
An organization or individual that provides personal care or assistance with daily activities to individuals in their homes.
Home Health Agency
Organizations providing medical care and assistance at home, such as nursing or physical therapy.
Home Health Aide (HHA’s)
A trained professional who assists individuals with daily activities and healthcare tasks, such as bathing, dressing, and medication reminders.
Home Health Care
Medical or therapeutic services provided at home for individuals recovering from illness or managing chronic conditions.
Home Modification
Changes made to a home to increase safety and accessibility, such as installing grab bars or ramps.
Homebound
A term describing individuals unable to leave their home due to illness or mobility issues.
Home-Delivered Meals
Services that provide meals directly to the homes of older adults or individuals with disabilities.
Homemaker Service
Assistance with household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and shopping for older adults or those with disabilities.
Hospice
A type of care designed to provide comfort and support for individuals in the final stages of a terminal illness, focusing on quality of life rather than cure.
Housekeeping (Heavy)
Deep cleaning services that may include tasks such as scrubbing floors, cleaning windows, and decluttering, often provided in residential settings.
Housekeeping (Light)
Routine cleaning tasks like dusting, vacuuming, and making beds, provided to help maintain cleanliness in a home.
Human Growth Hormone
A hormone that can play a role in growth, metabolism, and aging; sometimes administered in anti-aging treatments.
Hyperreflexia
An exaggerated reflex response, often indicating neurological problems or damage to the nervous system.
Iatrogenesis
Health problems caused by medical treatment or intervention, such as side effects or complications.
Independent Living
A housing option for older adults who are able to live on their own with minimal assistance.
Independent Living Facility
Communities designed for older adults who want to live independently but may benefit from amenities like housekeeping.
Intergenerational
Programs or activities that bring together different generations to share experiences and knowledge.
Irrevocable Burial Account
A financial account used to prepay funeral expenses that cannot be withdrawn for other purposes.
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
An organization that accredits and certifies healthcare facilities for quality and safety.
Kinship Navigator Programs
Programs offering support and resources for relatives, like grandparents, who care for children.
Lead Agency
An organization responsible for overseeing and coordinating services within a community or program, often in social services or healthcare.
Legal Assistance
Services that help older adults with legal issues such as wills, housing disputes, or benefits.
Level of Care
The degree of medical or personal assistance an individual requires, ranging from independent living to skilled nursing care.
Life Course Perspective
An approach that looks at the various stages of life and how experiences and exposures in early life affect health and outcomes in later life.
Life Expectancy
The average number of years a person is expected to live based on various factors like genetics, lifestyle, and healthcare.
Life Span
The maximum length of time an individual from a specific species can live under ideal conditions.
Life-Long Learning
Educational programs for older adults that encourage intellectual growth and social engagement.
Living Will
A document outlining a person’s wishes for medical treatment in case they become unable to communicate.
Loneliness vs. Social Isolation
Loneliness is the feeling of being disconnected, while social isolation refers to the physical separation from others, both of which can negatively impact health.
Long Term Care (LTC) Facility
A facility that provides extended care for individuals who have chronic illness or disabilities and need assistance with daily activities.
Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance
Insurance designed to cover the costs of long-term care services, such as in-home care, assisted living, or nursing home care.
Longevity
The length of an individual’s life, often associated with healthy living and genetic factors.
Longevity Gene
Genes that may contribute to longer life expectancy by influencing factors like metabolism and cellular repair.
Long-Term Care
A range of services and supports to meet the personal and health needs of individuals over an extended period.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Advocates who assist residents in long-term care facilities with addressing concerns or complaints.
Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS)
A range of services to assist individuals with daily living activities, often provided for people with disabilities or aging individuals.
Managed Care
A healthcare system designed to manage cost, utilization, and quality of care through coordination.
Meals-On-Wheels
A program that delivers nutritious meals to older adults and those unable to prepare their own food.
Meaningful Use
The use of certified electronic health records (EHR) to improve care quality, patient safety, and efficiency.
Medicaid
A joint federal and state program providing health coverage for low-income individuals, including older adults.
Medicaid Waiver Programs
Programs allowing states to provide home and community-based services to individuals eligible for Medicaid.
Medicare
A federal health insurance program for individuals 65+ or those with certain disabilities.
Medicare Savings Program (MSP)
A program that helps low-income individuals pay for Medicare premiums, deductibles, and co-payments.
Medication Administration
The process of giving prescribed medications to a patient, including the proper dose, timing, and method of delivery.
Medication Management
The process of overseeing and coordinating the use of prescribed medications to ensure they are taken correctly and safely.
Medication Reminders
Systems or services that help individuals remember to take their medications as prescribed, such as pill organizers or mobile apps.
Medigap
Supplemental insurance that covers gaps in Medicare coverage, such as deductibles or co-payments.
Microtubules
Structural components of cells that help maintain their shape, enable intracellular transport, and are involved in cell division.
Mild Cognitive Impairment
A noticeable decline in cognitive abilities, such as memory or thinking, that is greater than expected for an individual’s age but not severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Money Management
The process of handling finances, including budgeting, paying bills, and making financial decisions.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
A non-invasive imaging technique that uses magnetic fields to create detailed images of internal structures, including the brain.
National Family Caregiver Support Program
A federal program that provides financial and educational support to family caregivers caring for older adults or individuals with disabilities.
Nationwide Health Information Network
An initiative to standardize and share healthcare information across the country to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes.
Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs)
Communities where older adults live independently but benefit from services and support that cater to their age group.
Needs Assessment
A process to evaluate an individual’s physical, emotional, and social needs to determine the appropriate care.
Neurofibrillary Tangle
Abnormal accumulations of twisted protein fibers in the brain, commonly seen in Alzheimer’s disease.
Neuronal Inclusion
The accumulation of abnormal proteins inside nerve cells, often associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE)
A program that helps hospitals improve care for older adults by training nurses in age-sensitive care practices.
Nursing Home
Facilities providing around-the-clock medical and personal care for individuals who need significant assistance.
NY Connects
A New York-based resource offering information and assistance on long-term care and support services.
Observation Care
A type of short-term hospital care where a patient is monitored, but not admitted for inpatient treatment.
Occupational Therapy
A type of therapy that helps individuals develop or regain the skills needed for daily activities and work, often following injury or illness.
Office of the National Coordinator (ONC)
A U.S. government office responsible for coordinating health IT efforts, including the use of electronic health records.
Older Americans Act
Federal legislation providing funding for programs that support older adults, like meals and caregiver services.
Older Americans Independence Centers (OAIC)
Centers funded by the National Institute on Aging to conduct research on aging and promote independence among older adults.
Ombudsman
Advocates who represent the interests of residents in care facilities and help resolve issues or complaints.
OpenNotes
A program that allows patients to access their healthcare provider’s notes, promoting transparency and better engagement in care.
Osteopenia
A condition where bone density is lower than normal but not low enough to be classified as osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis
A condition characterized by weakened bones that are more prone to fractures, commonly seen in older adults.
Palliative Care (Sometimes called “comfort care”)
A type of care aimed at providing relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness, focusing on quality of life rather than curing the disease.
Pastoral Counseling
Counseling services provided by religious leaders or spiritual advisors to offer emotional and spiritual support.
Pathology
The study of diseases, including their causes, effects, and changes in tissues and organs.
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
A laboratory technique used to amplify and analyze DNA, often used in genetic testing and research.
Pedigree
A family tree or chart that shows the inheritance patterns of genetic traits or conditions across generations.
Personal Care
Assistance with daily activities such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and eating, typically provided to individuals with disabilities or aging adults.
Personal Care Assistant/Aide (PCA’s)
A professional who assists individuals with personal care tasks, including hygiene, dressing, and mobility, often in the home or facility setting.
Person-Centered Care
An approach to healthcare that focuses on the individual’s preferences, needs, and values, placing them at the center of decision-making.
Phonemic Paraphasias
Speech errors in which a person substitutes one sound for another, often seen in individuals with aphasia.
Physical Therapy
A type of therapy designed to improve mobility, strength, and function, often used after surgery or injury.
Physician-Assisted Death
A practice where a physician provides the means for a patient to end their own life, typically in cases of terminal illness.
Pick Bodies
Abnormal protein deposits found in the brains of people with Pick’s disease, a type of frontotemporal dementia.
Pick’s Disease
A type of dementia characterized by the progressive degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes, leading to changes in behavior and personality.
Polyvictimization
The experience of multiple types of victimization, such as abuse or neglect, often impacting older adults.
Positive Aging
A perspective on aging that emphasizes the potential for growth, learning, and engagement in life at any age.
Powers of Attorney (POA)
A legal document that grants someone the authority to act on another person’s behalf, typically in financial or healthcare matters.
Predatory Lending
Unfair financial practices targeting vulnerable individuals, often with high-interest loans or deceptive terms.
Presenile Degenerative Dementia
A form of dementia that begins before the age of 65, often associated with Alzheimer’s disease or frontotemporal dementia.
Presenting Symptom
The initial symptom or set of symptoms that prompts a person to seek medical attention, often leading to a diagnosis.
Prion
A misfolded protein that can cause neurodegenerative diseases, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, by inducing other proteins to misfold.
Prodromal Symptoms
Early signs or symptoms of a disease that occur before the full onset of more specific or severe symptoms.
Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
A comprehensive healthcare program designed to keep elderly individuals in their homes while offering medical, social, and home care services.
Prostate Cancer
A form of cancer that affects the prostate gland, common in older men.
Provider
A term for professionals or organizations offering healthcare or social services.
Pulvinar Sign
A specific sign seen on brain scans, associated with certain neurological conditions such as prion diseases.
Pyramidal Signs
Neurological signs, such as muscle weakness and loss of coordination, often related to damage in the pyramidal tract of the brain.
QDWI (Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals)
A Medicare program for individuals with disabilities who are working but have limited income, helping them pay for Medicare premiums.
QI (Qualifying Individual)
A Medicare program that helps individuals with low income pay for their Medicare Part B premiums.
QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary)
A Medicaid program that assists low-income Medicare beneficiaries by covering their Medicare premiums, deductibles, and co-pays.
Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALY)
A measure of the value of health outcomes, incorporating both the quantity and quality of life.
Quality Indicator Survey (QIS) Process
A method used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assess the quality of care in nursing homes.
Quality of Care
The standard of services provided to ensure individuals receive safe, effective, and compassionate care.
RAISE Family Caregivers Act
Legislation aimed at supporting family caregivers by providing resources and assistance to improve their quality of life.
Rapidly Progressive Dementia
A type of dementia that deteriorates quickly, often seen in conditions like frontotemporal dementia or prion diseases.
RE-AIM Framework
A model used to evaluate public health interventions based on five key elements: reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance.
Recertification
The process of renewing or confirming eligibility for a program, certification, or healthcare coverage, often on an annual basis.
Regenerative Medicine
Medical treatments aimed at repairing or replacing damaged tissues and organs, often through stem cell therapy or gene therapy.
Rehabilitation (Physical)
A program of physical exercises and therapy aimed at helping individuals regain physical abilities and strength after injury or illness.
Rehabilitation Facility
A healthcare facility specializing in rehabilitative care, offering therapy services to help individuals recover from surgery, injury, or illness.
Rehabilitation Services
Services aimed at restoring or improving function after illness, injury, or surgery.
Resilience
The ability to bounce back from adversity or difficulty, a key factor in maintaining health and well-being in aging.
Respite Care
Temporary relief for caregivers by providing care for their loved ones in their absence.
Reverse Mortgage
A loan allowing older homeowners to access the equity in their home while retaining ownership.
Self-Determination
The ability of individuals to make their own decisions regarding their care and life choices, often used in the context of disability and aging.
Self-Neglect
A condition where an individual fails to provide themselves with basic necessities, such as food, shelter, or personal care, often due to physical or mental impairments.
Semantic Memory
A type of long-term memory involving facts and general knowledge, distinct from episodic memory, which involves specific events.
Semantic Paraphasia
A speech disorder in which a person substitutes a word with one that is related in meaning but incorrect, often due to aphasia.
Senior Centers
Community centers offering activities, resources, and support for older adults.
Seven Pillars of Aging
A framework that emphasizes the importance of nutrition, exercise, mental health, social interaction, purpose, sleep, and environment in promoting healthy aging.
Shingles in Older Adults
A painful rash caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, more common in older adults.
Skilled Care
Care provided by trained professionals, such as registered nurses or physical therapists, typically in a healthcare facility.
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF, pronounced “sniff”)
A type of nursing home that provides skilled care, including medical treatment, nursing care, and rehabilitation.
Skin Changes, Age-Related
Common skin changes associated with aging, including wrinkles, thinner skin, and age spots.
SLMB (Slimbee)
A Medicaid program that helps low-income individuals pay for Medicare Part B premiums, but does not cover other out-of-pocket costs.
Social Aging
The social aspects of aging, including relationships, community involvement, and participation in society.
Social Construction of Aging
The idea that society’s expectations and perceptions of aging shape how aging is experienced and understood.
Social Gerontology
The study of the social aspects of aging, including the impacts of society, family, and community on older adults.
Social Portfolio
The network of social relationships and community resources that individuals can rely on in their later years.
Social Security (SSA)
A U.S. government program that provides financial assistance to individuals who are retired, disabled, or survivors of deceased workers.
Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)
A program that provides financial assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to disability.
Speech Language Therapy (SLP – Pronounced “slip”)
Therapy that addresses speech, language, and communication disorders, often after injury, stroke, or developmental issues.
Spend Down
The process of using personal assets to qualify for Medicaid coverage.
Stages of Caregiving
The different phases caregivers experience when caring for a loved one, from initiation to long-term adjustment.
State Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Programs (SHIP)
Programs offering free, unbiased advice on Medicare and other health insurance options.
State Units on Aging (SUAs)
State-level agencies coordinating programs and services for older adults.
Sundowning
A term used to describe the increase in confusion, agitation, or behavioral problems that often occur in the late afternoon or evening, commonly in people with dementia.
Supercentenarians/Centenarians
People who are 100 years old or older (centenarians) or those over 110 years old (supercentenarians).
Supplemental Poverty Level
A measurement of poverty that includes non-cash benefits and considers geographic differences in the cost of living.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
A U.S. government program that provides financial assistance to low-income individuals who are elderly, blind, or disabled.
Support Groups
Groups that provide emotional and practical support for individuals facing similar challenges, like caregiving.
Tau
A protein that stabilizes microtubules in cells, but when abnormally accumulated, it forms tangles that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Temporal Lobe
A region of the brain involved in processing auditory information, memory, and language.
The Two-Midnight Rule
A Medicare policy determining whether a patient should be classified for outpatient or inpatient care based on their hospital stay duration.
Transfer (in terms of ADLs)
The act of moving a person from one position or location to another, such as from a bed to a wheelchair, with or without assistance.
Transportation
Services helping older adults travel to medical appointments, social activities, or essential errands.
Vacuolation
The formation of vacuoles, or small cavities, within cells, often seen in the brain in certain neurodegenerative diseases.
Vetting
The process of thoroughly evaluating a service provider, caregiver, or facility to ensure quality and reliability.
Village Model of Aging in Place
A community-based model where residents maintain independence by utilizing shared services, transportation, and volunteer networks.
Well-Being
A holistic sense of health that encompasses physical, emotional, social, and mental well-being.
White Matter
The part of the brain and spinal cord made up of myelinated nerve fibers, involved in transmitting signals between different brain regions.