Our helpful guide to commonly used senior healthcare terms
Adult Day Care
services will watch over senior loved ones for a set, scheduled time while the caregiver is temporarily unavailable. This relieves the caregiver while they are at work, running errands - or just simply need a rest from their day-to-day care giving responsibilities.
Alert Systems
are helping to assist with 24/7 senior care. Medical Alert Systems are alarms that are designed to immediately notify emergency services and medical personnel in the event of an accident in the home of a senior or other medical emergency.
Alzheimers-Dementia Care
Alzheimer-Dementia care communities' offer specialized programs for residents suffering from Alzheimer's disease, dementia or other forms of memory loss. Some of these communities offer a "secured unit," which prevent Alzheimer and dementia patients from dangerous wandering in unsecured locations.
Assisted Living
communities are for persons who need help with daily living activities but do not require nursing home care. Typically they provide help with meals, bathing, dressing, housekeeping, and other needs. Services are either included in the rent or provided at an extra charge.
Bathroom Remodeling and Home Modifications
can provide physical adaptation to the home which can make living and "aging in place" easier. Installing a walk in tub, converting a tub to a shower, adding grab bars, installing ramps, handrails, chair lifts, etc can allow safe access to and ease of use to the individual's primary living space, bathroom, kitchen, or main exit/entrance to the home.
Case Management or Care Coordination
Care Coordinators or Case Managers can be useful when making decisions about a seniors care. These professionals have developed knowledge of the industry and the wide variety of options that may suit a senior's need. They can be available to help assess the needs of a onetime decision, or move; or help communicate and guide family members through many decisions regarding care of a loved one.
Companion Care
Agencies can provide: companionship, personal shopping, light housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation, errand running, etc.
Continuing Care
retirement communities offer a comprehensive continuum of care. You may enter at any care level but often seniors move to one of these communities to enjoy an independent, active lifestyle. Should the need arise for assistance with living, memory supportive care, rehabilitation or even skilled nursing on a temporary or long-term basis; those needs can be met within the same community. Choosing a community that offers a continuum of care can be a good choice for couples whose needs may vary.
Elder Law and Legal Services
Elder Law is a specialty practice of law for seniors, covering estate planning, wills, trusts, arrangements for care, social security and retirement benefits, and other senior specific legal assistance.
Financial Planning, Insurance Products and Reverse Mortgages
offer a variety of guidance that can include: Retirement Planning, Long Term Care Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Death Benefit Insurance, Expense planning and budgeting, reverse mortgage review, long term care planning, estate planning, etc. all with seniors in mind.
Funeral Planning and Cremation Services
whether it's inquiring about a pre-arranged funeral, an immediate need or to find out more information on cremation and casket options, the following services are here for you in your time of grief.
Government Benefits and Nonprofit Agencies
Find more information on senior benefits or government programs that assist seniors. Also included are non-profit agencies that provide aid to seniors for little to no cost.
Health Care Agencies
or Medical Home Healthcare Agencies require a state license to operate. These agencies can allow a senior to receive facility like care in their own home. Services provided can include: in-home CNA's, physical therapy, occupational therapy, administration of medication and other medical care approved by your doctor.
Home Care Agencies
or NonMedical Homecare Agencies may require a license depending on your state's requirements. These agencies could offer a range of services including: companion care services, assistance with bathing, incontinence care, mobility assistance, dressing and grooming, transferring and positioning, oral hygiene, feeding, etc...
Hospice Care Agencies
provide relief to terminally ill patients while attending to the emotional needs of their family at an inpatient facility or at the patient's home.
Independent Living
communities are for seniors desiring a leisurely, hassle-free lifestyle. Choices include active retirement communities, apartments, condos, or garden homes offering some extra services and features that many retirees would especially enjoy or find helpful.
Maintenance Free Homes
includes homes, condominiums, townhomes, active retirement communities and manufactured homes typically sold as deeded real estate for independent living. Often maintenance free homes are referred to as villas, patio homes, carriage homes or townhomes. Retirees and pre-retirees are interested in these options to enjoy their free time with travel and recreation rather than on housing and maintenance.
Medical Equipment, Hearings Aids and Visual Products
For all senior needs, these products can assist with living at home. Made for in home use and care, the products found here will make every day functions easier and more comfortable including health monitoring equipment, respiratory therapy equipment, wound dressing supplies, shower chairs, commodes, incontinence products, back supports and much more can be found here. Also included here are products for senior hearing and senior visual aids.
Medical Services, Clinics, Physicians and Dentists Find Health Professionals
that will care for senior health. Medical Services, Clinics, Physicians and Dentists that specialize in senior health can all be found here. You'll find doctors specializing in geriatrics, hearing, vision, Oncology, Orthopedics, and more can be found here.
Mobility Products
give seniors the ability to remain independent by staying mobile. These include: Stair Lifts, Wheelchairs, Scooters, Walkers, Power Chairs, Electric Wheelchairs, Standard Wheelchairs, Ramps, and more...
Pharmacy Services and Dietary Supplements
Find senior friendly local pharmacies here. Also included in this product category are senior diet information and senior dietary supplements that improve and assist in maintaining senior health.
Realtor Services, Moving Services, Packing Services and Downsizing Services
Whether you are looking to sell your home, move items into storage or just organize your home for ease - the advertisers in this section will be able to assist. Seniors looking to organize, downsize or sell their home can find more information here.
Rehabilitation Care
communities offer treatment or treatments designed to facilitate the process of recovery from injury, illness, or disease to as normal a condition as possible. These rehab services are provided on a short-term or long-term basis.
Retirement Community
is a very broad, generic term that covers many varieties of housing for retirees and seniors - especially designed or geared for people who no longer work, or restricted to those over a certain age.
Respite Care
communities offer temporary or short term stay care solutions. This service is intended to give caregivers or adult children a well deserved break from their daily responsibilities of caring for an older adult. The length of a respite stay can vary from 2 days up to more than a full month.
Restaurants, Entertainment, Shopping and Transportation Looking
for senior friendly activities, food and entertainment? Look no further than here. Find out more by clicking below for senior activities, restaurants, shopping and activities for seniors.
Senior Housing
from active retirement communities through more intense senior care, you can find all levels of senior retirement living options here.
