AAA - Area Agency on Aging
Local government agencies which provide or contract for services for older persons within their area.

Activities of Daily Living- personal care necessary for daily living, such as oral hygiene, dressing, toileting, transferring between bed and chair, eating and bathing.

Adult Daycare Center – A community-based program offering structured activities and meals. Some health services may be offered for an additional fee. Transportation may be provided. Most programs operate during the week and can be attended full or part-time.

Advance Directive- A written statement of an individual’s preferences and directions regarding healthcare. Advance directives protect a person’s rights even if he or she becomes mentally or physically unable to
choose or communicate his or her wishes.

Alzheimers Disease – A progressive and irreversible organic disease, typically occurring in the elderly and characterized by degeneration of the brain cells, leading to dementia, of which Alzheimer’s is the single most common cause. Progresses from forgetfulness to severe memory loss and disorientation, lack of concentration, loss of ability to calculate numbers, and finally to increased severity of all symptoms (and, sometimes, significant personality changes)

Ambulate – To walk.

Assessment – Determination of a resident’s care needs, based on a formal, structured evaluation of the resident’s physical and psychological condition and ability to perform activities of daily living.

Assisted Living – Senior housing that provides individual apartments, which may or may not have an kitchenette. Facilities typically offer twenty-four-hour on-site staff, congregate dining, and activity programs. Limited nursing services may be provided for an additional fee.

Caregiver- persons, often relatives who provide assistance (in activities and interaction within the environment) to those who are dependent on others for assistance.

Care Receiver - a person who may be dependent on others for care in activities and interaction within the environment.

Case Manager - An individual authorized by KDOA and SRS to provide assessments, service coordination, and cost containment for Medicaid long term care programs.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Formerly the Health Care Financing Administration, CMS is an element of the Department of Health and Human Services, which finances and administers the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Among other responsibilities, CMS establishes standards for the operation of nursing, home health, and hospice facilities that receive funds under the Medicare or Medicaid programs.

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Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) – Housing communities that provide different levels of
care based on the needs of their residents – from independent living apartments to skilled nursing in an affiliated nursing facility. Residents move from one setting to another based on their needs, but continue to remain a part of their CCRC’s community. Typically CCRCs require a payment (called an endowment) prior to admission, then charge monthly fees above that.

Dementia - Progressive changes in the brain that affect memory, judgment, and cognitive powers. One type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.

Dual Eligible(s) – Someone who is qualified for both Medicaid and Medicare.

Estate Planning - thoughtful consideration and planning for an individual’s future in the area of finances and property. In some cases planning for health care decisions may begin at this time.

Frail Elderly - Persons who are 65 years of age or older and in frail health.

Geriatrics – The branch of medicine that focuses on providing healthcare for the elderly and the treatment of diseases associated with the aging process.

Guardian - a legal term for a person who is lawfully vested with the care of the property and/or person who has diminished capacity.

HCBS/FE - Home and Community Based Services for the Frail Elderly.

Healthcare Power of Attorney – The appointment of a healthcare agent to make decisions when the principal becomes unable to make or communicate decisions.

Home Health Agency (HHA) – An agency that provides medical services in a home setting. Services may be provided by a nurse; occupational, speech, or physical therapist; social worker, or home health aide.

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Hospice – Hospice/palliative care is provided to enhance the life of the dying person. Often provided in the home by health professionals. Today many nursing facilities and acute care settings also offer hospice services. Hospice care, typically offered in the last six months of life, emphasizes comfort measures and counseling to provide social, spiritual and physical support to the dying patient and his or her family.

KDOA - Kansas Department on Aging.

Living Will – A legal document in which a competent person directs in advance that artificial life-prolonging treatment not be used if he or she has or develops a terminal and irreversible condition and becomes incompetent to make health care decisions.

Long Term Care (LTC) – The broad spectrum of medical and support services provided to persons who have lost some or all capacity to function on their own due to a chronic illness or condition, and who are expected to need such services over a prolonged period of time. Long term care can consist of care in the home by family members who are assisted with voluntary or employed help, adult day healthcare, or care in assisted living or skilled nursing facilities.

Medicaid - The state health care program that helps eligible people pay for medical services. An Economic and Employment Support Specialist at SRS determines financial eligibility for this program.

Medical Assistance - Another name for the Kansas Medicaid program.

Medicare – The federal program providing primarily skilled medical care and medical insurance for people aged sixty-five and older, some disabled persons and those with end-stage renal disease.

Medicare Part A – Hospital insurance that helps pay for inpatient hospital care, limited skilled nursing care, hospice care, and some home healthcare. Most people get Medicare Part A automatically when they turn 65.

Medicare Part B – Medical insurance that helps pay for doctors’ services, outpatient hospital care, and some other medical services that Part A does not cover (like some home healthcare). Part B helps pay for these covered services and supplies when they are medically necessary. A monthly premium must be paid to receive Part B.

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Nursing Facility (NF) – Nursing facilities are licensed to provide custodial care, rehabilitative care, such as physical, occupational or speech therapy or specialized care for Alzheimer’s patients. Additionally, nursing facilities offer residents planned social, recreational, and spiritual activities. NFs are usually certified for participation in the Medicaid program. If the facility also participates in Medicare, it is generally termed a “skilled” nursing facility.

Personal Care – Nonskilled, personal care, such as help with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, eating, getting in and out of bed or chair, moving around, and using the bathroom. It may also include care that most people do themselves, like using eye drops. The Medicare home health benefit does not pay for personal care services.

Power of Attorney – A legal document allowing one person to act in a legal matter on another’s behalf pursuant to financial or real-estate transactions.

Primary Caregivers - Individuals or professionals providing care and support to a frail elder.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) – A federally required program where states must pay the Medicare deductibles, co-payments as well as Part B premiums for Medicare beneficiaries who qualify based on income and resources.

Respite Care – Scheduled short-term nursing facilitycare provided on a temporary basis to an individual who needs this level of care but who is normally cared for in the community. The goal of scheduled short-term care is to provide relief for the caregivers while providing nursing facility care for the individual. Short-term stay beds used for respite care must be distinct from general nursing facility beds.

Senior Housing – Independent living units, generally apartments. Any supportive services, if needed, are through contract arrangement between tenant and service provider.

SRS - Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services

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SS - Social Security

Subsidized Senior Housing – A program that accepts federal and state money to subsidize housing for older people with low to moderate incomes.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – A federal program that pays monthly checks to people in need who are sixty-five years or older or who are blind or otherwise disabled. The purpose of the program is to provide sufficient resources so that any one who is sixty-five or older, blind, or otherwise disabled, can have a basic monthly income. Eligibility is based on income and assets.