Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Routine daily activities such as bathing, eating, getting dressed, transferring (moving from bed to chair), toileting, and continence. ADL assessments are done to qualify a potential assisted living resident.

Active Adult Communities

These low-maintenance homes, designed for people at or nearing retirement age, offer services and amenities aimed at giving renters and homeowners a more carefree lifestyle.

Adult Day Services

These services take care of seniors during the day. They are designed to give families and caregivers the freedom to work, or continue with their daily routines, while having peace of mind that their senior is cared for and enjoying companionship with others.

Age Restricted

Properties that have an age restriction (for example, 55+ or 62+).

Age Targeted

Properties that have been developed to target a specific age group, but do not have restrictions on who can live there.

Aging in Place

This represents the common desire to stay at home or in a current living situation throughout the aging process, even as care needs increase.

Assisted Living

Residential communities, licensed by the state, that provide meals and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) while fostering strong social connections.

C

Companion Care

Companion care agencies provide professionals that give assistance with light housekeeping, running errands, and, as the name implies, offer companionship for the client.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)

Also known as Life Plan Communities, CCRCs provide a continuum of care for residents for the rest of their lives.

D

Downsizing

The process of reducing clutter and moving into a smaller residence in order to simplify day-to-day living.

H

Home Care (Non-Medical)

This level of care assists clients with day-to-day activities that may have become burdensome or difficult without help: for example, bathing, toileting, dressing, grooming, mobility assistance, transferring and positioning, oral hygiene, and feeding.

Home Health Care (Medical)

This provides the same type and level of care found in a skilled nursing facility, but is delivered in the comfort of the client’s home. Depending on the needs, medical home health care may consist of nursing care, physical therapy, wound care, medication assistance, and a variety of other medical services.

Home Remodeling & Universal Design Services

There are many home modifications that make aging in place easier. These may include simple adaptations such as installing no-touch faucets into sinks, to more extensive projects like adding a master bedroom to the main floor.

Hospice Care

Like palliative care, hospice care focuses on the comfort of the patient, offering pain management and other treatments. Hospice care takes the focus off of disease treatment; it instead aims to make the end of life as easy of a journey as it can be by offering emotional and spiritual support for both patients and their families.

I

Income Restrictions

This term typically means that there is a minimum and maximum limit to how much a resident can make per year in order to be eligible to live at a specific property. Applications need to be reviewed and approved. These residences tend to cost less than a market rate apartment.

Independent Living

Communities that offer amenities (and possibly meals) in an environment that helps foster friendships with neighbors through mutually enjoyed hobbies and activities.

L

Long-Term Care Community

Communities that provide 24-hour care on a long-term basis. These can include Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities.

M

Medical Alert Systems

These may include wrist units that can automatically detect, with 95% accuracy, when the wearer has fallen. There are also wearables that can monitor a user’s daily physical activity, and may even track their health trends.

Memory Care

Care catered to those with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. These centers can be found within a secured unit at an assisted living community or CCRC, or provided in a stand-alone building.

Mobility Products

Products that can make it easier to get around at home, helping to maintain independence longer. These range from simple devices, like grab bars in the bathtub and hand-held walkers, to high-tech equipment like rideable scooters.

N

Nursing Care

Housing options that are for patients or residents that have a higher acuity of need, whether because of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, chronic illness, or recovery from a recent hospital stay.

P

Personal Care 

A type of licensed long-term care community in Kentucky that is more comprehensive than the state’s certified assisted living communities.

R

Rehabilitation Care

Temporary, specialized care to help patients regain as much strength, mobility, and function as possible after suffering from an injury, illness, hospital stay, stroke, or other life-altering event.

Retirement Communities

Communities designed to help retirees relax, flourish, and enjoy life. They can accommodate a wide spectrum of wants and needs: from the active weekly tennis player searching for an easier lifestyle, to those needing a bit more help while living with the challenge of declining abilities.

Residential Care Homes

Also known as family care homes, these provide assisted living services in a single family house. Since they are generally licensed by the state for only two to six beds, they tend to cultivate a more family-like environment.

Respite Care

Short-term care that offers caregivers a temporary and well-deserved break. Many families explore this option while considering a more permanent solution.

S

Senior Apartments

Designed for easy living, these rented apartments cater to older adults seeking a home that requires little upkeep.

Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®)

Seniors Real Estate Specialists (SRES®) specialize in the real estate needs of maturing Americans. To earn this designation, realtors have to take a special SRES® course through the National Association of REALTORS®.

Skilled Nursing Facilities

Communities that provide a higher level of care, beyond activities of daily living (ADLs), with an RN (registered nurse) on staff 24 hours a day. Treatment can be provided around-the-clock, either on a short-term or long-term basis.