Glossary of Dementia Caregiving Terms***This page may never be complete. There are many terms associated with dementia caregiving.The terms that are listed without definitions will be defined soon. We appreciate your patience as we continue to work on this project. YOU can help us!Need a Dementia Caregiving Term Defined?To contribute your suggestions for words you would like to see included in this glossary fill out this form. AAbstract Thinking--The highest order of thinking skills in which a person is able to see patterns and make generalizations compared to just being able to interpret what is right in front of themAccessory Apartment--A apartment that is added to or created from a portion of a single-family home. This kind of apartment is often used for an elderly friend or family member to live in so that they can be near a caregiving family. Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Policy--An insurance policy that only pays when the policy holder is injured or killed in an accident Activities--Things to do that occupy a person's time, usually in a productive manner Activities Of Daily Living (ADL)--Basic activities such as bathing, dressing, using the toilet, eating, and moving from one place to another. Acute Medical Care--Short-term medical care, usually in a hospital such as care to recover from a treatable illness or injury Acute Care Facilities--A medical institution that provides short-term care for persons recovering from a treatable illness or injury Adaptive Devices--Any piece of equipment or aid that helps a person to do things for them self, such as a grab bar, wheelchair, or hearing aid. For a dementia patient these may include signs with pictures of everyday items like a picture of a toilet on the bathroom door. Adequate Lighting--Sufficient lighting in a room so as to reduce shadows and dark areas. Very important to a dementia patient as shadows can cause increased confusion. Adult Day Care--A non-residential program that provides daily care and assistance for adults who are physically or mentally impaired Adult Family Homes--A live-in facility in a regular residential home where the staff is licensed to care for 2-6 adults; Also called Adult Residential Care Facilities Adult Residential Care Facilities--A boarding home that is licensed by the state to provide room, board, and limited medical care, personal care, and supervision for its residents. Advance Medical Directives--A group of legal documents that specify a person's final medical wishes, end of life care desires, and designate a person to make these kinds of decisions for them if they are not able to. Can also include a Power of Attorney that can designate someone to make financial and legal decisions when the person is no longer able to make these decisions for them self; SEE ALSO: Living Will, Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy Advocate--Someone who represents the needs of the dementia patient when they are unable to speak for themselves. This is usually a close friend or family member, but may also be a court appointed representative Age Dementia Symptoms--The symptoms of dementia that are sometimes associated with aging, but are not actually signs of aging, but rather signs of a medical condition causing memory loss and other symptoms Aggression--Behavior that is more violent in nature than what is normal for the dementia patient Aging--The act of growing older in chronological years; often associated with certain health issues, including dementia Agitation--Being in an emotional state of irritation, being extremely upset, but may be without cause Alzheimer's Disease--A medical condition characterized by a certain set of symptoms the most obvious of which is impaired memory and cognitive thinking skills. The most common form of dementia, an incurable disease that gets progressively worse over time; the disease is characterized by the development of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, the loss of connections between nerve cells in the brain, and the death of these nerve cells. The exact cause is as yet unknown. Alzheimer’s Gene--The gene that causes Alzheimer's disease; scientists have not been able to definitively identify one gene or group of genes that predisposes a person to Alzheimer's disease; It is believed that a combination of genetics and environmental factors contribute to the cause of Alzheimer's. Alzheimer’s Unit--A special unit in a nursing home or retirement community that specializes in the unique needs of caring for Alzheimer's patients with added security for the safety of the patients Amyloidal Plaques--a starchy protein-carbohydrate complex that is deposited in some neurological tissues, this is not a natural occurrence; it is one of the signs of Alzheimer's disease. Anger; Angry--A strong emotion often experienced by dementia patients where they act hostile and may be increasingly violent Anticipatory Grief--The sad mourning that a person experiences as they watch their loved one's health decline and watch them lose certain abilities; this process occurs as they anticipate the increased loss of relationship with their loved one and the ultimate separation of death Anxiety--An emotion often experienced by dementia patients characterized by tension, nervousness, worry, and uneasiness Apathy, Apathetic--An emotion typically experienced by dementia patients in which they lose interest in activities; indifference, lack of emotion Art Therapy--A therapy in which the dementia patient is encouraged to express their emotions through the medium of creating art. Assessment--The process by which a medical professional or case worker observes, measures, and questions the patient to gather data with which to determine the physical and mental state and the needs of the dementia patient; this information is used to help the medical professional, case workers, and family members to work together to determine the best course of care for the dementia patient Assets--Anything of monetary value that is owned by the dementia patient and his/her spouse Assisted Living; Assisted Living Facility--A living arrangement where a person, usually an elderly person, lives in a facility that provides assistance with activities of daily living Attorney--A legal professional who can help a dementia patient and their loved ones to make informed legal decisions and also to prepare necessary legal documents such as a will, power of attorney, etc.; They may specialize in a certain aspect of the law such as elder law, property law, tax law, etc. Attorney in Fact--The person assigned in the power of attorney document to handle the affairs of Principle (the dementia patient, in this case). Depending on the kind of legal document they Attorney in Fact would the responsibility to handle medical, legal, and or financial affairs for the Principle BBalanced Diet--a diet that includes foods that provide the proper amount of necessary vitamins and minerals needed for the dementia to stay healthy and strong. See also NutritionistBasic (Self-Care Needed for Independent Living)--The ability of the dementia patient to do the following activities independently : * Eat and drink * Dress themself (including choosing own clothing) * Care for personal hygiene (including bathing, toileting, etc.) * Mobile or Transferring (walking, getting into and out of a chair, moving from wheelchair to bed, etc.) Beginning Stage Alzheimer's or The Forgetfulness Stage--The first sign of Alzheimer's when the patient and possibly close friends and family members may begin to suspect something is wrong. In this stage the dementia patient has trouble remembering basic things like where they left their eyeglasses, what time to leave for work, where the milk belongs, etc. The forgetfulness happens frequently enough to cause concern for both the patient and their loved ones, but it may not be addressed at this point for fear of learning the truth or fear of offending the dementia patient. Blog/Blogging-- Brain Fitness Exercises/Mind Stimulating Activities-- Budget-- CCalendar--Cancelable--See Also: Guaranteed Renewable Camouflage Decorating-- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation-- Care Home-- Care Journal-- Care Plan-- Care Recipient-- Caregiver-- Caregiving at Home-- Caregiving Contract-- Caregiving Family-- Caregiving Skills-- Caretaker-- Case Coordination And Assistance-- Case Manager-- Case Management Or Care Coordination-- Catastrophic Health Insurance-- Chemical Injury-- Chemotherapy-- Childlike Behavior-- Chocking Hazard-- Chore List-- Chronic Care-- Chronic Disease-- Cognitive Impairment-- Commitment-- Community-Based Care-- Companion-- Comprehensive Health Insurance-- Confusion-- Continuing Care Facility-- Continuum Of Care-- Conservatorship-- Co-Payment/Co-Pay-- Counselor-- Crisis Residential Treatment Services-- Crock Pot Meals-- Custodial Care-- DDecision Making Ability--Dedicated Alzheimer/Dementia Unit-- Deductible-- Dehydration-- Dementia-- Dementia Caregiver Emotions-- Dementia Caregiver-- Dementia Caregiving-- Dementia Patient’s Emotions-- Dementia Symptoms-- Dendrites-- Dental Care-- Depression and Sadness-- Diagnosis-- Dietary Changes-- Digital Voice Recorder-- Disability Income-- Disability or Incompetency-- Discharge Instructions-- Discharge Planner-- Disoriented-- Disorientation/Feeling of Being Lost or Out of Place-- Dispensing Medications-- Distractions-- DNR Order-- Doctor-- “Donut Hole”-- Driver’s License-- Driving Privileges-- Drug Interaction-- Durable General Power of Attorney-- Durable Health Care Power of Attorney-- Durable Medical Equipment And Supplies-- Durable Medical Power of Attorney-- Durable Power Of Attorney-- Durable Power Of Attorney For Health Care-- Also called a Health Care Proxy or Health Care Power of Attorney. Durable Special Power of Attorney-- Dysphasia--
EElder Care--Elder Caregiver-- Elder Caregiving-- Elder Cottage-- Emergency And Crisis Services-- Emergency Bag-- Emergency Preparedness-- Emergency Room-- Emotional Losses-- Emotional Needs-- Emotional Stimulation-- End of Life Discussion-- End-of-Life Care-- Enhanced Adult Residential Care Adult-- Euphoria and Elation-- Executor-- Exhaustion-- Eye Care-- FFace Amount--Fall Prevention-- Fear; Fearful-- Fee-For-Service-- Final Wishes-- Financial Advisor-- Financial Decisions-- Financial Plan-- Financial Planning-- Financial Problems-- Finger Foods-- First Aid-- Food Service Workers-- Forgetfulness-- Formal Declaration of Disability or Incompetency-- Fall Risk-- Full Code-- Full Time Care/Constant Care-- Friendly Visiting-- GGeneral Power of Attorney--Genetic Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease-- Good Night’s Sleep/Proper Rest-- Grab and Go Bag-- Grab Bars-- Grace Period-- Grief-- Grooming Habits-- Guaranteed Renewable--See Also: Cancelable. Guardianship-- Guilt-- HHandicap License Plates/Placard--Head to Toe Check-- Health Care Insurance Policy-- Health Care Plan-- Health Insurance-- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)-- Healthy Foods-- Higher Level Thinking Skills-- Home and Family Management-- Home Care Worker--See Also: Companion, Home Health Aide, Home Health Nurse, Housekeeper, Personal Care Worker. Home Delivered Meals-- Home Health Aide-- Also called a Certified Nurse Assistant or Nurses’ Aide. Home Health Nurse-- Also called a Therapist or Certified Aide. Home Ownership Options-- Hospice-- Hospital Bed-- Hospital Benefits-- Hospitalization-- Hospitalization Information Notebook-- Household Chemicals-- Housekeeper-- Also called a Chore Worker. Housekeeping-- Housekeeping Staff-- IIn Home Care-- In Home Caregiver-- Inappropriate Behavior-- Incapacitated-- Indemnity Insurance-- In-Home Services-- Injury Prevention-- Insomnia-- Instrumental Skills-- Insurance Forms-- Insurance Information-- Intense Sadness-- Intermediate Care-- Intermediate Care Facility-- Irritability-- JJoint Life Policy--Journaling-- KLLack of Inhibition--Last Will and Testament-- Late or Advance Stage Alzheimers-- Legal Advisor-- Legal Assistance-- Legal Planning-- Lewy Body Dementia-- Life Insurance-- Life Support Equipment-- Lifestyle-- Living Arrangements-- Living Benefits--Also called Advanced or Accelerated Benefits. Living Environment-- Living Trust-- Living Will/Advance Directive-- Local Resources/Community Resources-- Loneliness or Isolation-- Long-Term Care-- Long-Term Care Facility-- Long Term Care Insurance-- Long Term Care Ombudsman Program-- Long-Term Disability-- Loyalty-- MMajor Hospitalization Policy Or Insurance--Major Medical Insurance-- Managed Care-- Meals-- Meals on Wheels-- Medicaid-- Medicare-- Medical Alert Bracelet-- Medical Bills-- Medical Care-- Medical Chart/Medical Records-- Medical Decisions-- Medical Equipment-- Medical History Information-- Medical Power of Attorney-- Medical Problems-- Medical Treatments-- Medication Schedules-- Medigap Policy-- Memory Loss-- “Memory Problems”-- Mental Exercise-- Mental Stimulation-- Mental Therapy Routines-- Menu Plan-- Middle Stage Alzheimers-- Minimizing Confusion-- Mood Swings-- Mourning-- Music Therapy-- NNegative Emotion(s)--Neural Connections-- Neurofibrillary Tangles-- Neurology-- Neurons-- Night Light-- Nurse-- Nursing Care-- Nursing Homes-- Nursing Homes-- Nutrition Services-- Nutritional Value-- Nutritionist-- OOnce a Month Cooking/Cook Ahead Meals--One Thing Rule-- Online Caregiving Community-- Outside Stimuli-- PPain Management--Palliative Care-- Palliative Care, Palliation-- Paranoid-- Part Time Care-- Past Relationship Issues-- Personal Care-- Personal Care Worker--Also called a Homemaker. Personality Changes-- Physical Exam-- Physical Exercise-- Physical Intimacy-- Physical Needs-- Physical Stimulation-- Physical Therapy Routines-- Point-Of-Service Plan (POS)-- Poor Nutrition-- Positive Emotion(s)-- Power of Attorney (POA)-- Pre-Existing Condition-- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)-- Pre-Paid Hospital Service Plan-- Preventing Injuries-- Primary Care-- Primary Care Physician-- Primary Caregiver-- Principal-- Private Care-- Private Care Manager-- Progression of Dementia-- QRRadiation Therapy--Reasoning Skills-- Referral-- Registered Dietitian-- Rehabilitation-- Remission-- Respite Care-- Respite Care-- Restraints-- Restricted Diet-- Reverse Mortgage-- Routine-- SSafety--Safety Deposit Box-- Safety Rails-- “Scary Jobs”-- Schedule-- Shadows-- Senior Housing Developments-- Sharp Objects-- Side Effect-- Simple Sentences-- Simplicity-- Skilled Nursing-- Skilled Nursing Facility-- Social Interaction-- Socialization-- Specialist-- Specialist Appointments-- Spiritual Needs-- Springing Power of Attorney-- Stages of Grief-- Stress-- Stress Level-- Stress Management-- Sundowner’s Syndrome-- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-- Supplemental Security Income-- Support Group-- Symptoms-- Synapses-- TTeamwork--Telephone Reassurance-- The Internet-- “The Long Goodbye”-- The Public Library-- The Sandwich Generation-- Therapist-- Therapy-- Time Consuming Errands-- Time Management-- Transfer-- Transportation-- Tripping Hazard-- UUncooperative--Unresolved Relationship Issues-- VViatical Settlement--Violent-- Vitamin Deficiency-- Volunteer-- WWandering--Watcher/Sitter-- Ways You Can Help List-- Worry-- XYZ |
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