Any action that causes harm, pain, or fear to another person.
Activities of Daily Living
ADLs
Basic self-care tasks including bathing, dressing, eating, transferring, toileting, and continence. These are used to assess eligibility for long-term care services.
Acuity
A word used to describe how much care a resident needs. Higher acuity means more help is needed.
Acute
A condition that begins suddenly and often does not last long, such as a cold or flu.
Acute Care
Short-term treatment for severe or sudden health conditions typically requiring skilled medical personnel in clinics, hospitals, or doctor's offices.
Admissions
The process of welcoming and checking in a new resident to the facility.
Adult Day Services
Daytime care programs for individuals needing supervision or assistance due to cognitive/functional impairments. Includes meals, activities, and social interaction.
Advance Directive
Legal documents expressing your health care wishes if you're unable to communicate them. Includes living wills and medical power of attorney.
Advanced Practice Nurse
APN
A registered nurse with advanced education/training, such as nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists.
Aide
A staff member who helps residents with personal care, like bathing, dressing, and eating.
Alzheimer’s Disease
A progressive form of dementia impacting memory, speech, and thought, ultimately leading to loss of independence and death.
Ambulation
Walking from one place to another, with or without help or equipment.
Ambulatory
“Ambulatory” is a term used to refer to someone who is capable of moving. In other words, someone who is not confined to a bed or wheelchair.
Americans With Disabilities Act
ADA
The Americans With Disabilities Act is a law passed in 1990 that is intended to prevent discrimination based on mental or physical disability. This includes regulations on the design and accessibility of public buildings and modes of transportation, as well as business practices.
Area Agencies on Aging
AAAs
Organizations providing community services like Meals-on-Wheels to help older adults live independently.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a joint disorder in which the joints become swollen and cause pain.
Assessment
A check-up or review to see what a resident needs for care, including health, mobility, and mood.
Assisted Devices
Equipment that provides minor care and allows seniors to perform their activities of daily living. Some—but not all—of those devices include motorized wheelchairs, walkers, walking sticks, and guard rails.
Assisted Living Facility
ALF
Residential option providing assistance with ADLs, medication, housekeeping, and personal care, typically for those who need less care than nursing homes provide.
Asymptomatic
A person has an illness but does not feel or look sick (no symptoms).