Abuse Reporting (abuse report; abuse reports)
To tell authorities about the possible mistreatment of a person. Abuse can include bodily violence and verbal violence as well as taking advantage of someone (exploitation) and neglect.

Academic (academics; academy; academia)
Something related to school or studying.

Addiction (addictions)
A bad habit that is hard to control such as taking drugs or drinking too much alcohol.

Administration on Aging
An agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services. The Administration on Aging focuses on helping our society deal with an aging population. They work to develop low-cost systems of long-term care so that older people can have better living conditions and more choices.

Adult Day Care
A day program that provides care in a group setting outside the home. Adult day care usually provides social and/or health services for frail elderly and disabled adults. Often, adult day care is found in churches, senior centers, hospitals, nursing homes, and other organizations in the community.

Advocacy (advocate)
Acting in support of an idea or cause; Arguing in favor of something such as an idea, cause or policy.

Age Discrimination
Giving unfair advantage or disadvantage to a person or group because of their age. In work, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) is a federal law that makes it illegal to discriminate against workers older than 40 in employment decisions, especially firing.

Alcoholism
A use of alcohol that causes repeated problems in a person's health and personal life. Alcoholism usually results in social and legal problems as well. Often, alcoholism is marked by a physical and mental need for alcohol so that stopping the use of alcohol causes physical and emotional pain.

Allergies (allergy; allergic; allergen)
The negative reactions of a person’s immune system to things like dust, pollen, chemicals, insect bites, and foods. Negative reactions can be things such as a runny nose, watering eyes, sinus pain, headaches, coughing, sneezing, and feeling sick to the stomach. Sometimes negative reactions can be life-threatening like not being able to breathe or having a seizure.

Alzheimer’s Disease
A brain disorder marked by increasing memory loss due to an ongoing loss of brain cells.

Ambulatory (ambulate; ambulates; ambulated; ambulating; ambulation; )
Being able to walk.

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
A nonprofit membership organization for people age 50 and older. The focus of the AARP is to improve the experience of aging for its members and all Americans. The AARP gives information and education on aging, supports research in aging, advocates for older people, and offers a variety of community services.

Antibiotic (antibiotically)
A type of medication that fights infection in the body.

Antibodies (antibody)
Protein substances that react against bacteria and other harmful material.

Aphasia (aphasiac; aphasic)
A total or partial loss of the ability to speak, write, or understand spoken or written language. Aphasia is usually due to stroke, brain injury, or brain disease.

Area Agency on Aging (area agencies on aging; AAA; AAAs)
Organizations that plan and offer services to help older adults who want to remain in their home. Services usually include things like home delivered meals, homemaker help, transportation, and other services that make independent living an option. AAAs are usually overseen by a local government.

Artery (arteries; arterial)
Any of the main blood vessels that carries blood from the heart to the body.

Arthritis (arthritic)
Inflammation of a joint causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Assessment (assessments)
The act of judging a person’s situation, such as a person’s physical abilities, mental abilities, or finances.

Assisted Living
A place to live for those who need extra help in their day-to-day lives, but who do not need 24-hour skilled nursing care.

Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA)
A nonprofit membership organization for professionally-operated assisted living communities for seniors. ALFA's programs promote good business practices among its members and quality care for all Americans needing long-term care.

Asthma (asthmatic)
A chronic illness that causes a temporary blockage of the small airways of the lungs. An asthma “attack” is often caused by allergies and is usually marked by difficulty breathing, coughing, and a feeling of tightness in the chest.

At-risk
Having a higher than usual chance to suffer from things like disease, violence, or hazards; Also, being denied things that promote well-being like good health care and education.

Authorities
An organization or a group of people who have the power to command, decide, judge, or enforce laws on a subject over which they are considered experts.

Bereavement (bereave; bereaves; bereaved; bereft; bereaving; bereavers)
The state of sadness; grief; grieving.

Bladder (bladders)
Also called the “urinary bladder”, it is an organ of the human body where urine collects before being passed out of the body.

Board & Care
Housing with services. Housing is usually a private or shared bedroom or apartment, with a private or shared bathroom, and access to common rooms. Services often include meals, help with personal care, and social activities.

Bodily Violence
Physical abuse such as hitting, slapping, pinching, and pushing.

Bowel (bowels)
Intestines; large and small intestines; gut.

Brain Injury (brain injuries; brain injured)
The destruction of brain cells due to physical damage or disease.

Brokerage (brokerages; brokerage house; brokerage houses)
A company that charges a fee to act as a go-between, usually for a buyer and a seller.

Cancer (cancers; cancerous)
An abnormal growth, like a tumor or a cyst, which tends to grow in an uncontrolled way.

Care Coordinator (care coordinator)
A professional that designs care plans for people who need ongoing care for the treatment of an illness or a condition.

Care Facility (care facilities)
A center where people can stay to receive health care. Usually, care facilities are for people who are elderly, disabled, or who have a minor illness. A care facility gives care that is not as intense as the care given at a hospital or skilled nursing facility.

Care Management (care manager)
A set of activities, which makes sure that a person needing care has a care plan. The care plan is reviewed and updated by a case manager or a care coordinator.

Care Plan (care plans; care planning; care planner; care planners)
A plan of related services and activities, which are organized around treating an illness or condition. A care plan is designed to fit a person’s health care needs and to limit the costs of care.

Caregiver (caregivers; caregiving)
The person in charge of giving care to someone who cannot fully care for him/herself. A caregiver is often a family member, but can also be someone employed to give help.

Case Manager (case managers; case management; case managing)
A professional that designs care plans for people who need ongoing care because of an illness or a condition. Case managers often oversee a person’s care plan on an ongoing basis, and may make changes to it as needed.

Catheter (catheters)
A small, flexible tube that is used to either give medications or to drain liquid from the body.

Centers for Medicare &Medicaid Services (CMS)
A federal agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services that oversees Medicare and Medicaid services. The CMS works to make sure health care coverage is up-to-date and of good quality for people who use Medicare and Medicaid. The CMS has its main office in Baltimore, Maryland, and also has ten regional offices around the US.

Central Nervous System (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord.

Cerebral Palsy (CP)
A disorder caused by damage to the brain cells that control muscle movements. Often this damage happens before birth. The brain damage causes problems with a person’s ability to move and control his/her movements.

Charitable
Generous in giving money or help to those in need.

Charity (charities)
An organization that gives money or help to those in need; the act of giving money or help to those in need.

Chat Room (chat rooms)
A web site or server space on the internet where text messages can be exchanged in real-time. People exchanging messages in a chat room usually have to sign up to use the chat room.

Chronic (chronical; chronically)
Ongoing; Constant.

Clearinghouse (clearinghouses)
An organization or group that collects, organizes, stores, and gives out information and resources on a given subject or area of interest.

Cognitive (cognitively; cognition)
Relating to mental activity, such as thinking, remembering, reasoning, or imagining.

Cognitively Impaired (cognitive impairment; cognitive impairments)
Having a brain disorder or a mental problem that affects cognitive or emotional functions. Somebody who is cognitively impaired is less able to reason and make good judgments than somebody who is not. A person who is drunk or on drugs may also be cognitively impaired while under the influence.

Community-based
Something that is found in or at a certain location or neighborhood; A resource that is located in a specific area or neighborhood.

Companion (companions; companionship)
Someone who acts as a helper and a friend of another.

Comprehensive (comprehensively; comprehensiveness)
Being full, complete, and inclusive.

Computer Literate
Generally knowing about computers and their uses.

Congregate Meal Site (congregate meal sites)
Places where seniors and people with disabilities can have a meal free-of-charge or for a small fee. Usually, congregate meal sites are community-based and are run by a church, community center, or Area Agency on Aging. They are also called congregate meal centers or “neighborhood” meal sites or centers.

Consumer (consumers)
Someone who uses goods and services.

Continence (continency; continent)
The ability to control the output of one’s bowel and bladder.

Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)
Housing and services that are organized to provide ongoing care for seniors as they need them. Services can include meals, housekeeping, help with personal care, social activities, and skilled nursing care as well as other health services. Usually, a person who lives in a CCRC pays a buy-in fee as well as monthly service charges. Monthly services charges may increase as a person’s need for extra care increases. CCRCs are usually licensed by the state.

Counseling (counselor; counselors)
Support and advice given by experts on school, work or personal matters.

Credentials (credential; credentialing; credentialed)
Something that proves a person is an expert in a certain area, such as a degree or a certificate.

Crisis (crises)
A situation of great difficulty or danger.

Cystic Fibrosis
A genetic disorder of the lining of the lungs, which leads to breathing and digestive problems.

Database (databases)
A body of related information that is organized into a system. Today, most databases are organized into digital files by a computer program.

Dementia (demented; dementing; demential)
A group of symptoms that usually comes with certain diseases and conditions, like Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia is marked by the weakening of a person’s cognitive abilities (such as thinking, remembering, and reasoning) to the point that it gets in the way of a person’s daily life. Symptoms may also include changes in personality, mood, and behavior.

Developmental Disabilities (DD; developmental disability; developmentally disabled)
A chronic, mental and/or physical condition that seriously limits a person’s daily activities in three or more areas like bathing, dressing, use of language, learning, and walking. A developmental disability is noticeable in a person before age 21, and is usually a lifelong condition.

Diabetes (diabetic)
A chronic disease that limits a person’s ability to produce insulin, which is needed to break down sugar in the blood. Symptoms include hunger, thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss.

Dietary
Anything related to food.

Dietician (dieticians; dietitian; dietitians)
A professional who is responsible for the planning and managing of diets for patients. Usually, the patient needs to loose weight, or needs to manage a chronic illness or condition by eating certain foods. A dietician usually works in a health care setting, such as a hospital or clinic.

Digestion (digest; digests; digested; digesting)
The process by which food is turned into energy and used by a living body.

Digestive (digestiveness)
Related to digestion; Something that helps turn food into energy for the body.

Disaster Services
Programs that give help in crises, such as fires, tornados, and floods.

Disorder (disorders)
A disease, illness, or condition that gets in the way of a normal body function.

Disparity (disparities)
The state of being unequal; a marked difference between two things.

Disseminate (disseminates; disseminated; disseminating)
To spread, distribute, or broadcast something.

Dissemination (disseminative; disseminator)
The act of spreading, distributing or broadcasting something.

Elder Abuse
The physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of an elderly person, usually one who is disabled or frail. Elder abuse can also be exploiting or neglecting an elderly person.

Eldercare (elder care)
An array of care services such as adult day care, assisted living, hospice care, skilled nursing facilities, home health care and specialized care services such as geriatric care management.

Elderly
Advanced in years; Old; Aged.

Elders (elder)
Members of a society or community who are among the oldest living members.

Eligibility
The state of being eligible.

Eligible
Someone who is allowed to use certain services and programs, usually by meeting certain qualifications.

Emergency Alert Tools (emergency alert tool)
Things like alarms, alerts, monitors, and response services for people living alone and at risk for injury.

Emergency Help
Quick response services for fires, health crises, crimes, and other dangers.

Emergency Meal Pack (emergency meal packs)
A package of foods in sealed containers that do not need to be cooked or refrigerated before eating. The foods in an emergency meal pack can be stored for a long time without spoiling. Often, home delivered meals programs will give emergency meal packs to their clients in case fresh meals cannot be delivered due to a problem, like bad weather.

End-of-Life Care
Programs and services, like hospice and caregiver respite, that help people who are dying and their families and caregivers.

Exploitation (exploit; exploits; exploited; exploiting; exploitable; exploiter; exploitive; exploitative; exploitatory)
Stealing someone’s money or things, or forcing someone to do something against their values and beliefs.

Facility (facilities)
A building or place that provides a certain service, or is used as a location to make or do something.

Facility-based
A program or service that is offered in or at a certain location; a resource that is located at a specific building or place.

Federal (federally)
Of or relating to a national form of government such as the government of the United States of America.

Financial Assistance
Help for people with limited money to pay for certain goods and services such as food, housing, clothing, and medication.

Financial Information (financially informative)
Facts about money matters like investing, retirement, and buying insurance.

Frail (frailty; frailness; frailer; frailest)
Not strong; Weak; Delicate.

Friendly Visitor (friendly visitors)
Someone who visits with those who have trouble leaving their homes due to an illness or disability.

Functional Abilities (functional ability; functionally able)
Any mental and/or physical activities that someone is able to perform in daily life like bathing, dressing, working, cleaning, and learning.

Functional Impairment (functional impairments; functionally impaired)
Any condition or illness that makes it difficult to perform daily activities like bathing, dressing, working, cleaning, and learning.

Genetic (genetical; genetically)
Having to do with genes; Referring to the study of genes, or when the cause of a disease is somehow traced to genes.

Geriatric Care Manager (geriatric care managers; geriatric care management)
A professional that oversees care plans for older people who need ongoing care because of an illness or a condition.

Geriatrician (geriatricians)
A medical doctor who practices geriatrics.

Geriatrics
A branch of medicine dealing with the health care of older people and the treatment of illnesses and conditions specific to aging.

Government Agencies (government agency)
Offices of federal, state, county, and city levels of government

Grocery Store Services (grocery store service)
Services that can be found at local grocery stores like pharmacy, delivery, dry cleaning, and help with shopping.

Guardian (guardians)
A legal relationship in which one person watches over another who cannot take care of him/herself; Someone who is in charge of the care and management of a person or property.

Guardianship
The state or condition of being a guardian.

Guidelines (guideline)
A rule or set of rules explaining how to deal with a specific situation.

Handrail (handrails)
A narrow railing, like a bar or a banister, to be grasped with the hand for support. Handrails are often found by stairs, bathtubs, and toilets.

Health and Human Services (HHS)
A government agency that oversees health and care issues for its citizens. Health and Human Services agencies can usually be found at the federal, state, and county levels of government.

Home Care
Programs and services that provide care in the home. Home care can include medical care, like skilled nursing care, as well as other types of care like bathing, dressing, housekeeping, and cooking.

Home Delivered Meals (home delivered meal)
Programs that deliver ready-to-eat meals to peoples’ homes. Usually, the meals are delivered ready to eat for lunch and/or dinner. Some programs also deliver meals for special diets, like kosher, vegetarian, or diabetic meals. Some programs also give emergency meal packs for people to eat when delivery is not possible, like during a snow storm. Meals are usually free or for a small fee.

Home Health
Sometimes called “home health care”, home health is medical care in the home. It can include skilled nursing care as well as other skilled care services, like physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and medical social services. Home health is usually part of a person’s care plan.

Home Maintenance & Repair
Programs and services that help people keep their homes in livable condition. Services provided usually include things like installing grab bars and handrails, painting, electrical work, and lawn mowing.

Homemaker (homemakers; homemaking)
Someone who helps take care of a home by doing things like cleaning, cooking, and shopping.

Hormone (hormones; hormonal; hormonally)
A substance produced by a body tissue, which travels through the bloodstream to another body tissue and effects body functions like growth and metabolism.

Hospice
A program or facility that provides special care for people who are dying and their families. Hospice care can be provided at home, in a hospice center, in a long term care facility, or within a hospital.

Hotline (hotlines)
A telephone number that directly connects the caller to needed information or help.

Housekeeping (housekeeper; housekeepers)
Any of a group of activities necessary to keep a house clean and livable like dusting, sweeping, washing dishes, and doing laundry.

Housing
Places to live. Housing can be any place people live like houses, townhouses, duplexes, apartments, or rooms.

Immune System
The body's system of defenses, like certain white blood cells and antibodies, which fight against disease.

Incontinence (incontinent; incontinency)
Problems controlling bladder and bowel activity.

Independent Housing
Places to live that offer social opportunities and basic support services like social events, activities, and sometimes meals and housekeeping. Independent housing is for people who can mostly take care of themselves.

Inflammation (inflamed)
A response of the body to injury or infection, usually marked by swelling, redness and soreness.

Informal Support
Help received from family members, friends, and neighbors.

Infusion Services (infusion service)
Programs and services that administer medications directly into a vein. Infusion services are usually for things like pain control, tube feedings, bleeding disorders, and antibiotic therapy.

In-home
That which takes place in the home.

Injection (injections; injected; injecting)
A method of putting a substance, such as medicine, into a person’s body normally with needle; Also called a shot.

Insulin
A hormone produced in the body that helps break down sugar to use as energy or to store as fat.

Integrate (integrates; integrated; integrating)
To put together, join together, or mix.

Interactive (interactivity; interactivities)
Something that is mutually responsive to action; something that acts in response to another action.

Interpreter (interpreters)
Someone who can translate the meaning of words from one language to another.

Intestines (intestinal)
Bowels; Gut; Usually refers to both the small and large intestines.

Kidney (kidneys)
Either one of a pair of organs in the body that purifies blood by filtering out waste and extra water. The waste and extra water are passed through the kidneys to the bladder, and passed out of the body in urine.

Kosher
Food that is prepared following Jewish dietary law.

Language Services (language service)
Programs and services, like interpreters and translations, which help with understanding different languages.

Legal Assistance
Programs that give legal aid and information on things like lawyers, court-appointed guardians, grandparent visitation, and more.

Legislation (legislate; legislates; legislated; legislating; legislative)
The act of making a law; a law or group of laws put forward and passed by Congress or a state legislature.

Legislator (legislators)
Someone who makes or enacts laws, like a member of Congress.

Legislature (legislatures)
A part of state or national government made up of an elected body of people that makes and changes laws.

Licensed Practical Nurse (licensed practical nurses; LPNs)
A nurse who has completed a formal practical nursing education program. An LPN must be licensed by the state authority in which he/she will work.

Long-term Care (LTC)
Services that are designed to meet medical, personal, and social needs for an ongoing period of time.

Mainstream
Being of the common attitudes, values, and practices of a society or group; the largest part of a society or group that shares common attitudes, values, and practices.

Medicaid
A program of the federal government that is supposed to provide health care services to people and families with low incomes. Medicaid is located in each of the 50 states, and managed by each state government.

Medical Equipment
Tools and devices that help people with certain illnesses and condition.

Medical Social Services (medical social service)
Social services that are done in a health care setting and involve health care issues.

Medicare
A federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older and for people with disabilities.

Medicare Hospice Benefit (medicare hospice benefits)
A definition of the kinds of hospice services Medicare insurance will cover either fully or partially.

Medicare Part A
The part of Medicare that covers hospice care, home health care, skilled nursing care, and hospital stays.

Medication (medications; medicate; medicates; medicated; medicating)
A drug that is used to treat an illness or disease according to medical guidelines.

Medication Expenses (medications expenses)
The costs to buy medications and treat illness and conditions.

Medication Management
Overseeing the use of a patient’s medications to make sure that he/she is taking his/her medication properly; Making sure that a patient’s medications do not create harmful combinations that could damage the patient’s health.

Mental Health
The emotional and cognitive well-being of a person that allows for successful functioning in daily life.

Metabolism (metabolic)
The rate at which the body uses energy.

Minority (minorities)
A group of people who differ racially or politically from a larger group; The smaller in number of two groups.

Mission (missions)
A written statement of a group, or an organization’s main purpose and values.

Mistreatment
Abusing, neglecting, or taking advantage of somebody or something.

Mobility (mobile)
The ability to move or be easily moved.

Moving Services (moving service)
Help with the activities of moving a household like packing and unpacking, arranging furniture, installing appliances, and moving pets.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
A disorder of the central nervous system of unknown cause in which the body's immune system attacks the protective coating on nerve fibers within the central nervous system.

Myasthenia Gravis
A disorder in which the body's immune system fights its own body. This causes problems with certain nerves, which results in muscle weakness. Myasthenia Gravis affects muscles that are found in the face, neck, chest, arms, and legs.

Neglect (neglects; neglected; neglecting; neglectful)
Failing to give things like food, water, and heath care to somebody who cannot get these things for themselves.

Neighborhood Meal Centers (neighborhood meal center)
Places where seniors and people with disabilities can have a meal free-of-charge or for a small fee. Usually, neighborhood meal centers are community based and are run by a church, community center, or Area Agency on Aging. They are also called “neighborhood meal sites”, or “congregate” meal sites or centers.

Network (networks; networked; networking)
An interconnected system of things or people.

Non-medical
Anything not related to the study or practice of medicine.

Nonprofit (nonprofits)
An organization, group, or agency formed not for private gain but for public benefit. These organizations are also sometimes called “not-for-profit.” They usually do not have to pay taxes.

Not-for-profit (not-for-profits)
An organization, group or agency formed not for private gain but for public benefit. These organizations are also sometimes called “nonprofit.” They usually do not have to pay taxes.

Nursing Home (nursing homes)
A facility that is designed for people who need 24-hour nursing care or supervision.

Nutrition (nutritional)
The taking in and use of food and drink by the body for health and energy.

Occupational Therapist (occupational therapists)
A health care worker who practices occupational therapy.

Occupational Therapy (occupational therapies; OT)
Therapy designed to help a person who has a physical or mental problem by having him / her do tasks.

Offline
Not connected to a computer network.

Older Americans Act
A 1965 federal law to create a network of state and area agencies on aging. These agencies help plan and fund programs and services for people who are sixty years or older.

Online
Connected to a computer network.

Osteoporosis
A bone disorder in which there is a loss of bone tissue, which increases the risk of breaking a bone.

Parkinson’s Disease
A chronic disorder of the nervous system in which certain brain cells are destroyed. Symptoms include trembling of the arms, jaw, legs, and face; stiffness of the limbs and trunk; slowness of movement; and bad balance, among others.

Partnership (partnerships)
Two or more people and/or organizations that work together for common interests and goals.

Pension Plan (pension plans)
A plan set up by an employer or union to pay an employee a regular sum of money after retirement. Usually a pension plan is funded all or mostly by the employer.

Personal Care
Helping with the physical needs of people who are unable to take care of themselves. Personal care can involve things like bathing, dressing, cooking, and shopping.

Personal Care Attendant (personal care attendants)
Someone who is usually paid to help another person with his / her personal care needs.

Pharmacist (pharmacists)
A person who is trained to prepare and give out medications, and to give information about them.

Physical Therapist (physical therapists)
A health care worker who practices physical therapy.

Physical Therapy (physical therapies; PT)
The use of exercises and physical activities to help build muscles and restore strength and movement.

Physician (physicians)
A doctor.

Practitioner (practitioners)
Somebody who practices an activity. Usually this word refers to a professional activity.

Prescription (prescriptions; prescribe; prescribes; prescribed; prescribing; prescriptive)
A doctor’s written order for a patient’s medication or treatment.

Prescription Drug Assistance
Help with the cost of medications for people with low incomes.

Preventative
Something that stops or slows the course of an illness or disease.

Private Duty Nursing
Skilled nursing care given to an individual by a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in the home or at another private facility.

Protective Services (protective service)
Services that give protection to vulnerable people who are at risk of harm due to actual or possible abuse, neglect or exploitation.

Protective Supervision
A court order from a judge requiring help from a trained professional, like a social worker, to watch out for the well-being a vulnerable person who has been abused or neglected by his/her caretaker(s). Usually, the trained professional visits the place where the vulnerable person lives, and works with his/her caretaker(s) to end the abuse or neglect.

Provider (providers)
Someone who supplies a particular service or certain resources.

Pulmonary
Anything dealing with, or of, the lungs.

Qualifications (qualification)
The necessary education, experience and knowledge to do a specific job, or to hold a specific position.

Qualify (qualifies; qualified; qualifying)
To meet the necessary terms; to prove to be capable or fit.

Quantify (quantifies; quantified; quantifying)
To measure or express something in terms of numbers.

Questionnaire (questionnaires)
A form containing a set of questions used to collect information on a certain topic.

RCF* (RCF*s)
In the state of Missouri, this is the same as an RCF, but offers more care services like overseeing diet and personal care. A licensed doctor oversees the health care plans of the residents of an RCF*. There is more staff in an RCF* than an RCF.

Recreational Activities (recreational activity; recreation)
Things people do for fun and enjoyment such as drawing, cycling, traveling, and dancing.

Refugee (refugees)
A person who leaves his/her country or community for his/her own safety.

Refugee Resettlement Programs (refugee resettlement program; refugee resettlement)
Programs that help immigrants adjust to new communities by helping them find things like jobs, housing, and English classes.

Registered Nurse (registered nurses; RN; RNs)
A nurse who has graduated from a formal program of nursing education. An RN must be licensed by the state authority in which he/she will work.

Rehabilitation (rehabilitative; rehabilitate; rehabilitates; rehabilitated; rehabilitating)
The process of restoring a person’s abilities after an illness or injury so that he / she can take care of himself / herself as much as possible.

Residence (residences; residential)
A place where a person lives like a house, apartment, or room.

Resident (residents)
A person who occupies a place to live.

Residential Care
A care facility where people live and receive care. Usually, residential care refers to 24-hour care for people who need a place to live, someone to watch over them, and medical services including giving medications and short-term care. The state of Missouri has another level of residential care that offers more care services (see RCF*).

Residential Care Facility (residential care facilities; RCF; RCFs)
A place where people live while receiving residential care. RCFs usually require that residents have to be able to make their own way to safety exits in an emergency.

Resources (resource)
Things like people, materials, or money that can be used to create, buy, or do something.

Respiration
The act of breathing.

Respiratory
Anything to do with the body’s system of breathing.

Respite
Rest; Relief. Often, respite refers to programs and services that give short-term care to people who are frail, ill, or vulnerable so that their caregivers can have a break.

Respite Care Center (respite care centers)
Places in the community that provide respite.

Scheduled Needs (scheduled need)
Care that a patient needs on a regular and ongoing basis, such as medications and therapies.

SCHIP (state children's health insurance program; state children's health insurance programs)
A federal law that was passed in 1997 to expand access to health insurance for children with no insurance, or for children from low-income families.

Self-assessment (self-assessments)
A review and judgment of one's own personal abilities and conditions.

Self-help
The act of helping oneself meet one’s own needs without help from others.

Self-sufficient
Able to take care of oneself without help from others.

Senior (seniors)
An older person; usually, someone who is over 65 years of age.

Senior Center (senior centers)
A place where people who are usually 65 years or older meet to visit, eat, and do recreational activities together.

Short-term Care (short term care; STC)
Care that is given for a brief period of time and has a definite ending date.

Skilled Nursing
Nursing care that is given by a registered nurse (RN), or a licensed practical nurse (LPN) under the oversight of a registered nurse. Usually, skilled nursing care is necessary for more complex medical care like injections and catheters.

Speech-language Therapist (speech-language therapists; speech therapist; speech therapists; language therapist; language therapists)
A health care worker who practices speech-language therapy.

Speech-language Therapy (speech therapy; language therapy)
A treatment for people who have difficulties with talking or swallowing.

Stomach
The body’s main organ of digestion that is located in the upper abdomen under the ribs.

Stroke
The sudden death of some brain cells due to a lack of oxygen when blood flow to the brain is blocked, or when an artery in the brain breaks.

Substance Abuse
A chronic and extreme use of a something, like drugs or alcohol, that changes a person’s behavior and causes repeated problems in a person's health and personal life. Substance abuse usually results in social and legal problems as well. Often, substance abuse is marked by a physical and mental dependence on a substance to the point that stopping the use of the substance causes physical and emotional pain.

Support Group (support groups)
A group of people who give each other comfort and useful advice regarding illnesses, conditions and/or situations that they are all going through. Sometimes, support groups are run by a professional who can give expert advice such as a social worker, doctor, nurse, or therapist.

Symptom (symptoms; symptomatic )
A physical feeling or a change in the way the body functions that may signal the presence of an illness or disease in the body. For example, a fever or a runny nose can be symptoms of a cold.

Tax Assistance
A program that gives help on things like explaining taxes and preparing tax forms.

Telephone Comfort
A service that provides a telephone number that people can call to talk to someone for support. Usually, these numbers are for people who do not have anyone else to talk to about things like loss, illness, and loneliness.

Terminal illness (terminal illnesses; terminally ill)
A disease or disorder that will be the cause of a person’s death.

Therapy (therapies; theraputical)
The treatment of a mental or physical illness or disorder.

Thyroid (thyroids)
A gland located beneath the voice box that makes a hormone, which helps control growth and metabolism.

Translation (translations; translate; translates; translated; translating)
Changing written or spoken words from one language into another language.

Translator (translators)
A person who changes written or spoken words from one language into another language.

Transportation
The movement of people and things from one place to another in a vehicle like a car, bus, airplane, or boat.

Treatment ( treatments)
Types of care, therapies, and medications that are meant to reduce illness or injury.

Unscheduled Needs (unscheduled need)
Temporary personal care or skilled nursing care that a patient needs due to illness, injury, unexpected events, occasional situations, or special requests.

URL (URLs)
Stands for "Uniform Resource Locator," and refers to a web site’s address on the internet.

Utility Assistance
Programs that help people with low incomes pay gas, electric, and water bills.

Verbal Violence (verbally violent)
Speaking in an aggressive and angry way, such as yelling, bullying, and calling somebody names.

Volunteer Opportunities (volunteer opportunity)
Ways to assist local charities, causes, and communities by giving one’s time to do needed work.

Vulnerable
Not having enough protection; Open to physical or emotional harm; At risk.

Web Site (web sites; website; websites)
A group of linked World Wide Web (www) files stored on a web server that includes an “address” called a URL, and a beginning file called a home page. Sometimes it is also called an internet site.

World Wide Web (www)
A system of computer networks for accessing web sites. It is called Web because it is made of many sites linked together. Also called the internet.