24 Hour Care: In-home care provided for a continuous 24-hour period or full day. Also called around-the-clock home care.

ADLs: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are basic tasks essential for daily functioning. These include bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, mobility, and toileting.

Aging In Place: Refers to seniors choosing to remain in their own home as they age, rather than moving to an assisted living or independent living community.

Alzheimer’s Disease: A progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys memory and other mental functions, including communication, thinking, and behavior.

Arthritis: A term for conditions that cause joint pain, stiffness, or swelling. Osteoarthritis is the most common form, but there are over 200 types of arthritis.

Care Plan or Plan of Care: A document outlining the tasks and goals to provide physical, mental, and emotional care for a client. Each plan is individualized and confidential, specifying the services needed and when care will be provided.

Care Team: A group of people dedicated to supporting a client’s physical, emotional, and social well-being. This may include caregivers, healthcare professionals, family, friends, social workers, or spiritual advisors.

Caregiver: A trained professional who provides companionship, personal care, mobility support, meal assistance, housekeeping, transportation, and activities that promote engagement, purpose, and quality of life.

Change in Condition Monitoring: The process of observing and documenting any mental, physical, or emotional changes in a client’s health or behavior.

Companion Care: Non-medical support that provides emotional connection, socialization, and assistance with daily activities. This can include conversation, games, walks, meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation, medication reminders, and help with hygiene or grooming. Companion care encourages engagement and helps prevent isolation.

Coronavirus: Also called COVID-19, a virus that can cause symptoms ranging from mild to severe, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms vary by age and health condition. More information is available from the CDC.

End-of-Life Care: Support for individuals with limited life expectancy who wish to remain at home. Care includes working with hospice or medical providers, assisting with household needs, and providing emotional support for the family.

Family Portal: An online platform that allows family members to view schedules, caregiver notes, photos, invoices, and communicate directly with the care team.

GrandPad: A simple, senior-friendly tablet that helps clients connect with family, friends, and caregivers through video calls, games, and other apps.

Home Care or In-Home Care: Care provided in a client’s home, typically non-medical, including personal care, companionship, and homemaking services.

Home Health: Skilled medical care provided at home, such as nursing, speech therapy, or physical therapy.

Home Health Aide: A caregiver who provides companionship, personal care, mobility support, meal assistance, light housekeeping, transportation, and engaging activities.

Hospice Care: Specialized care for individuals with serious or terminal illnesses, focusing on comfort, quality of life, and family support.

IADLs: Instrumental Activities of Daily Living are tasks that support independent living, including shopping, paying bills, cleaning, laundry, and meal preparation.

Incontinence: Loss of bladder or bowel control.

Interactive Caregiving: A care approach where caregivers engage clients in activities rather than doing everything for them. This encourages participation, mental stimulation, and physical activity while fostering meaningful relationships.

Ischemia: A condition in which blood flow to the heart is restricted, reducing oxygen supply. More information is available from the American Heart Association.

Live-in Care: Care in which a caregiver resides in the client’s home to provide continuous support.

Memory Care: Specialized long-term care for individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other memory challenges.

Mobility Assistance: Help provided to clients who need support moving safely, such as walking, transferring, or using mobility aids.

MS (Multiple Sclerosis): A disease affecting the central nervous system, where nerve coverings are damaged, disrupting communication between the brain and body. More information is available from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Myocardial Infarction: Also called a heart attack, it occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked. More information is available from the American Heart Association.

Palliative Care: Care focused on relieving symptoms, managing pain, and providing emotional and practical support for seriously ill patients. Care may involve doctors, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, spiritual advisors, and in-home caregivers.

Parkinson’s Disease: A neurodegenerative disorder affecting movement, often beginning with tremors in one hand. More information is available from the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Personal Care: Assistance with daily living activities including bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, mobility, incontinence care, meal preparation, and engagement activities. Services are tailored to each client’s abilities and needs.

Pneumonia: Lung inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infection. Common symptoms include cough, fever, and difficulty breathing. More information is available from the American Lung Association.

Private Duty Nursing: One-on-one skilled medical care provided by registered or licensed practical nurses in a home or facility setting.

Respite Care: Temporary relief for primary caregivers, provided by another caregiver, family member, or friend, allowing caregivers to rest or attend to other needs.

Safety Choice: In-home safety technology, such as medical alert systems or motion detectors, offered to enhance client safety.

Social Determinants of Health: The conditions in which people live, work, and age, including education, income, neighborhood, employment, social networks, and access to healthcare.

Sundowners Syndrome: A condition associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia where confusion, agitation, or restlessness occurs in the late afternoon or evening, sometimes affecting sleep.

TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack): A brief stroke-like episode that requires immediate medical attention and may signal a future stroke. More information is available from the American Stroke Association.

Transitional Care: Support provided at home after hospitalization, injury, surgery, or rehabilitation. Services include transportation, medication reminders, exercise or diet support, and assistance with daily activities.