Glossary of Terms

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Refers to the basic activities of daily life. Some ADLs include: bathing, dressing, eating, moving around (ambulating), and toileting. In the world of long term care, a person who requires assistance with ADL’s will receive the assistance from family, a home health or personal care aide, or a home health care nurse. Allwel assists persons with ADL’s through the staffing of Personal Care Aides, Living Skills Trainers, and Nurses.

Advance Directive (AD)

Refers to the “advance directive” of a person to have his or her wishes fulfilled if he or she is unable to speak for his or herself. It is also called a living will and provides direction on what they wish for themselves regarding the extent of care to be provided or life-saving procedures in the case of an emergency situation. Allwel’s Case Managers or Service Coordinators can assist individuals with linking to professional services who can work with the family and participant in developing an appropriate set of Advanced Directives.

Adult Day Care

A daily or weekly program that provides a social and protective environment for adults who are at home during the night, but who need supervision, assistance, and social activities during the day, because the person providing the nightly care must go to work or has other responsibilities. Allwel’s Case Managers or Service Coordinators will work with the family and person receiving care to determine if an Adult Day Care, also known as a Structured Day Program or possibly a Medical Day Program will complement the plan of care, and assist in linking to an agency of the participant’s choice.

Ancillary Services

Any services provided by providers other than the one responsible for caregiving (aides, nurses, etc.) These services can be imaging x-ray/CT Scans, laboratory (blood, urine) testing (such as blood or urine testing) or other social/human services (counseling, housing supports). Allwel’s Case Managers, Service Coordinators, and nurses will work with the family and person receiving care to determine what available ancillary services can complement the plan of care or address other needs that will enhance independence in the community.

Asset

Refers to items that are owned and that have value including a home, bank account, or stock. When applying for Medicaid Status, there a qualifications as to how much value in assets an applicant can have, depending on the number of people in a household.

Caregiver

A caregiver is someone who provides necessary care to another person in need. Caregiving can be Medical or Non-Medical. Medical is provided by Doctors, Nurses, etc. Non-Medical is provided by family, companion or personal care aides, or even friends. Allwel’s staff of Personal Care Aides are available to share in as much or as little as needed by a participant and his or her family caregiver(s).

Certification

The process a nursing home, Licensed Home Care Services Agency, or even a Personal Care Aide must undergo to be allowed to provide services under the Medicaid or Medicare programs.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Certified Nursing Assistants are responsible for care work that is more advanced than what is allowable for Personal Care or Home Health Aide.

Chronic Care

Companion/Companion Care

Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRCs)

Refers to a housing setting in the form of a room or apartment setting and can include a range of health care and social services.

Custodial Care

Custodial care is another term for companion care that provides the non-medical social, support, and oversight of the activities of daily living.

Durable Healthcare Power of Attorney

A document where the individual empowers a person he or she trusts to make healthcare decisions on their behalf should he or she be unable to do so on their own due to an emergency situation. Allwel’s Case Managers or Service Coordinators will work with the family and person receiving care to link to a provider that will work with family and participant in developing an appropriate Power of Attorney document.

Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

Elder Care

Geriatric Care

As with Elder Care, Geriatric Care is care for older persons.

Guardian

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA privacy law)

Any agency involved in the care of an individual or has health-related information about someone in relation to that care is responsible for maintaining that individuals right to privacy under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It is a federal law that sets standards for protecting and securing private information.

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)

Homebound

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

Home Health Agency

Home Health Care (Home Care)

Home Health Aide

Home Health Nurse

Intermittent Care

Hospice Care

Long-Term Care

Long-Term Care Insurance

Level of Care (Level I or Level II)

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Managed Care Organization

Managed Care Plans

Medicaid

Medicaid MCO (MMCO)

Medicaid Waiver

Medical Day Program

Medical Social Worker (MSW)

Medicare

Medicare Part A

Medicare Part B

Medicare Part D

Medigap Insurance Policy

Nursing Home

Payer

Pediatric Home Health Care

Personal Care Aide (PCA)

Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)

Plan Member

Plan of Care

Preauthorization

Private Pay Patients

Provider

Provider Network

Quality Assurance

Referral

Registered Nurse

Respite Care

Reverse Mortgage

Special Needs Trust (SNT)

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Structured Day Program

Utilization Review