Senior Living Glossary

AAHSA

The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) is committed to healthy, affordable and ethical aging services for America. The association represents 5,600 mission-driven, not-for-profit nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living and senior housing facilities, and home and community-based service providers. Every day, AAHSA's members serve one million older persons across the country. AAHSA has state association partners that represent AAHSA members in most states.

AAHSA Quality First

The mission of Quality First is to achieve excellence in aging services and to earn public trust. By endorsing the covenant and the Quality First principles, members pledge to work in partnership with consumers and government to create an environment in which consumers can feel confident that they are receiving the high-quality care and service they deserve.

Active Adult Community

Active Adult Communities are groupings of single-family homes, cluster homes, town homes, mobile homes and condominiums that are restricted to adults aged 55 and older. Residents lead an active, independent lifestyle and these communities do not provide any supportive services. Amenities such as a clubhouse, golf course and swimming pool along with outdoor maintenance may be a part of the monthly community association fee.

Activities of Daily Living (ADL's)

Everyday basic tasks that individuals do to manage their own personal care including toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, getting in and out of a bed or chair and walking.

Advance Directive

Most commonly known as a "Living Will," an Advance Directive is a written document that states a person's health care preferences, designates a proxy decision maker, or both, in the event a serious illness or injury leads to a loss of the ability to make one's own health care decisions.

Adult Day Care (ADC)

A daytime program for elderly or disabled adults who reside at home, this community-based service provides participants with group recreational and social activities as well as health and support services. Meals and snacks are part of the daily program. Some Adult Day Care Programs offer evening and weekend care. Most Adult Day Care Programs provide participants with transportation to and from the program. Adult Day Care Programs may offer a separate memory care program, while a select few specialize in the care of those with Alzheimer's and related dementias. There are two types of Adult Day Care Programs: Adult Medical Day Care and Adult Social Day Care.

Adult Medical Day Care Program

Also known as an Adult Day Healthcare Program or Adult Day Health Services, an Adult Medical Day Care Program offers medical supervision, medication assistance, rehabilitation therapies, personal care assistance, group recreational activities and social support. Adult Medical Day Care Programs usually have an RN on staff and are licensed by the state in which they operate.

Adult Social Day Care Program

Also known as Adult Day Services, an Adult Social Day Care Program is a non-medical program that typically includes social and recreational group activities such as games, sing-alongs, current events discussions, pet therapy, and arts and crafts. A participant of an Adult Social Day Care Program must be able to administer his/her own medication.

Age in Place

Aging in place is a concept that allows older adults to remain in their current residence or multi-level retirement community, regardless of the increasing care needs that arise during the aging process.

ALFA [http://www.alpha.org]

The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) is the largest association exclusively dedicated to the assisted living industry and the population it serves. ALFA represents over 5,000 for-profit and not-for-profit providers of assisted living as well as a diverse range of organizations involved in the assisted living industry. With more than 40 state affiliates nationwide, ALFA promotes the philosophy of consumer choice and quality of life for seniors.

CCAC [http://www.carf.org/aging ]

The Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC), a not-for-profit organization founded in 1985, is the nation's only accrediting body for aging services continuums, including continuing care retirement communities. CCAC's accreditation program is based on the belief that accreditation promotes and maintains quality and integrity in the aging services profession.

Geriatrician

A medical doctor who specializes in the care of older patients and develops care plans that address the health care needs of older adults.

Gerontologist

Professional who specializes in working with older adults. A Gerontologist has studied aging from a broad perspective including the biological, social, psychological, economic, historic and political needs of the older adult.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL's)

More complex activities needed for daily living, such as shopping, bill paying, cooking, meal preparation, medication management, telephone use, housekeeping and use of transportation.

Lifecare Community

A Lifecare Community is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) that offers a lifetime contract providing all levels of care on one campus. Residents pay a one-time entrance fee that may be refundable or non-refundable. Little or no change is made in the residents' monthly fee, regardless of their healthcare needs, except for cost-of-living increases.

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