Senior housing, senior care, and senior living may be something new to families. There are different senior living options that are offered by senior living communities to cater to the varying needs of older adults. If you are new to the world of senior care, here are several terminologies used within the sector to help you gain a much deeper understanding.

Activities of Daily Living

Activities of daily living include basic activities that are performed daily, including eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, medication administration, toileting, getting around, and more.

Assisted Living Communities

Assisted living provides older adults with an accommodation option that comes with assistance for activities of daily living. Basic healthcare services may also be offered to handle medication administration, insulin management, IV drip management, continence management, and others.

Aging in Place

Aging in place is when older adults choose to live on their own in their place of residence regardless of their physical or mental conditions.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by the death of nerve cells and loss of cognitive function in several parts of the brain which in turn lead to loss of learning and memory functions.

Caregiver

Caregivers are individuals who provide primary care to people with special needs, either mentally or physically. Caregivers can be family members or healthcare professionals.

Dementia

Dementia is not a disease on its own but it involves the severe loss of intellectual functions such as remembering, thinking, and reasoning. Symptoms may include changes in mood, personality, and behavior. Dementia cannot be reversed when it is caused by injury or disease. However, it may be reversed when caused by alcohol, drugs, hormone imbalances, or depression.

Independent Living

Independent living is designed for older adults who still have the mental and physical capacities to live on their own without requiring any assistance. However, they wish to seek socialization opportunities to participate in various wellness programs and social programs to stay engaged and connected.

Long-Term Care

Long-term care refers to care that is given in the form of support and medical services to individuals who have lost some or all of their normal functions as a result of a disability or illness.

Medicaid

Public assistance care funds are provided by the different states across the United States for individuals who are facing issues with paying for health care. Medicaid can only be used when all other financial avenues have depleted. Patients also need to meet certain income eligibility criteria to qualify.

Medicare

This is a U.S. federal health insurance program for individuals aged 65 years and above as well as for those with disabilities.

Medication Management

This involves a formalized procedure with a written set of rules for the proper administration of medication. A program may include management of the dosage and timing of residents’ medication according to instructions from a personal physician.

Nursing Assistant

A nursing assistant offers care to residents including dressing, bathing, and toileting. Nursing assistants are certified and trained to provide nursing services in senior living communities.