Home Care Glossary of Terms

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) An index or scale that measures an individual's degree of independence in bathing, dressing, using the toilet, eating, and moving across a small room.

AssessmentThe regular collection, analysis and sharing of information about health conditions, risks, and resources in a community. The assessment function is needed to identify trends in illness, injury, and death, the factors which may cause these events, available health resources and their application, unmet needs, and community perceptions about health issues. (PHIP, 1996)

Anticipatory Grief The deep emotional distress that occurs when someone has a prolonged illness and death is expected often by the patient as well as the family. Anticipatory grief can be just as painful and stressful as the actual death of the person.

Assisted Living Facility (ALF)An out-of-home care option for elderly persons who continue to lead relatively active, healthy, and independent lives. Most ALFs feature apartment-style living and many services for the elderly.

Bereavement To be in a sad or lonely state due to a loss or death.

Case ManagementMonitoring and coordinating the delivery of health services for individual patients to enhance care and manage costs; often used for patients with specific diagnoses or who require high-cost or extensive health care services.

CaregiverSomeone who provides assistance, generally in the home environment, to an aging parent, spouse, other relative, or unrelated person, or to an ill or disabled person of any age. A caregiver can be a family member, friend, volunteer, or paid professional.

Charity Care Free or reduced fee care provided due to financial situation of patients.

Durable Medical EquipmentCertain medical equipment that is ordered by a doctor for use in the home. Examples are walkers, wheelchairs, or hospital beds. DME is paid for under both Medicare Part B and Part A for home health services.

Elder CareA relatively new and growing area of health care concerned with providing medical and other services for the rapidly growing, aging population (most often persons 65 and older).

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 1996A Federal law that allows persons to qualify immediately for comparable health insurance coverage when they change their employment relationships. Title II, Subtitle F, of HIPAA gives HHS the authority to mandate the use of standards for the electronic exchange of health care data; to specify what medical and administrative code sets should be used within those standards; to require the use of national identification systems for health care patients, providers, payers (or plans), and employers (or sponsors); and to specify the types of measures required to protect the security and privacy of personally identifiable health care information. Also known as the Kennedy- Kassebaum Bill, the Kassebaum-Kennedy Bill, K2, or Public Law 104-191.

Home Health CareLimited part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care and home health aide services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology services, medical social services, durable medical equipment (such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, oxygen, and walkers), medical supplies, and other services.

HospiceLiteral meaning "a place of shelter." Today it refers to supportive care of a terminally ill patient. A special way of caring for people who are terminally ill. Hospice care involves a team- oriented approach that addresses the medical, physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient. Hospice also provides support to the patient's family or caregiver as well. Hospice care is covered under Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance).

Infusion Therapy (also called Intravenous Therapy)The introduction of fluid other than blood into a vein.

Long-term CareA variety of services that help people with health or personal needs and activities of daily living over a period of time. Long-term care can be provided at home, in the community, or in various types of facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Most long-term care is custodial care. Medicare doesn't pay for this type of care if this is the only kind of care you need.

Medicaid Federally and state-funded health care program for low-income individuals.

Medicare Federally funded health care program for individuals over age 65.

Ostomy An artificial opening into the urinary or gastrointestinal can or the trachea (windpipe).

Pain managementThe discipline concerned with the relief of pain. Acute pain, such as occurs with trauma, often has a reversible cause and may require only transient measures and correction of the underlying problem. In contrast, chronic pain often results from conditions that are difficult to diagnose or impossible to reverse. Some examples include cancer, neuropathy, and referred pain.

Palliative Care Care given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease. The goal of palliative care is to prevent or treat as early as possible the symptoms of the disease, side effects caused by treatment of the disease, and psychological, social, and spiritual problems related to the disease or its treatment. Also called comfort care, supportive care, and symptom management.

Pre-existing Condition A health problem you had before the date that a new insurance policy starts.

Quality How well the health plan keeps its members healthy or treats them when they are sick. Good quality health care means doing the right thing at the right time, in the right way, for the right person and getting the best possible results.

Referral A written order from your primary care doctor for you to see a specialist or get certain services. In many HMOs, you need to get a referral before you can get care from anyone except your primary care doctor. If you don't get a referral first, the plan may not pay for your care.

Rehabilitation Rehabilitative services are ordered by your doctor to help you recover from an illness or injury. These services are given by nurses and physical, occupational, and speech therapists. Examples include working with a physical therapist to help you walk and with an occupational therapist to help you get dressed.

Residential Care Facility (RCF) An out-of-home care option for elderly persons who are no longer able to live alone and independently, but do not require skilled nursing care. RCFs typically provide assistance with personal hygiene, grooming, and other activities of daily living, as well as recreational and social services.

Skilled Care A type of health care given when you need skilled nursing or rehabilitation staff to manage, observe, and evaluate your care.

Skilled Nursing Care A level of care that includes services that can only be performed safely and correctly by a licensed nurse (either a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse).

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) An out-of-home care option for elderly persons who require continuous nursing care. SNFs can provide extensive care services, such as intravenous feedings, blood pressure monitoring, medication injections, and care for patients on ventilators.

Speech-Language Therapy Treatment to regain and strengthen speech skills.

Telemedicine Professional services given to a patient through an interactive telecommunications system by a practitioner at a distant site.

Urgently Needed Care Care that you get for a sudden illness or injury that needs medical care right away, but is not life threatening. Your primary care doctor generally provides urgently needed care if you are in a Medicare health plan other than the Original Medicare Plan. If you are out of your plan's service area for a short time and cannot wait until you return home, the health plan must pay for urgently needed care.

References for Glossary