Glossary Of Common Terms:

The goal of most individuals is to remain as independent as possible while obtaining the level of service or care needed or desired.  Fortunately, the United States leads the world in providing a wide spectrum of quality and innovative options.  Below is a general cost comparison between the most common alternatives. To obtain a general overview of your options click on the links below:

Glossary

Assisted Living Community 
A relatively new alternative for those individuals requiring some level of assistance, yet not requiring the continuous care provided by a skilled Nursing Care Center. These communities, which provide services to 11 or more residents, offer couples the option of remaining together when only one spouse may require care. In 1998 the State of Arizona adopted legislation regulating these types of facilities. Three levels of care exist based on the degree of attention and care required by an individual:

• Supervisory Care: The most basic level of Assisted Living, only general supervision is generally required and the ability to intervene in a crisis.

• Personal Care: Assisted Living with the ability to assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s).

• Directed Care: Highest level of Assisted Living for persons incapable of making basic decisions about their own welfare and generally involves intermittent nursing care.  Top

Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s)
An individual’s daily basic functions such as bathing, grooming, dressing, eating and other general activities.  Top

Active Adult Community Homes
Adult communities offering the purchase of single family homes. These communities are age restricted and may provide an array of social programs and activities geared toward seniors.  Top

Assisted Living Homes 
Residential facilities that provide care for 10 or fewer residents. These facilities are licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services for one of the three levels of care: Supervisory, Personal and Directed.  Top

Adult Day Health Care
An alternative to 24-hour skilled care service for elderly individuals with cognitive or physical disorders. No long-term contracts are typically required for this type of service.  Top

ALTCS
Refers to Arizona Long Term Care System - Arizona's version of the Federal Medicaid program.  Top

Alzheimer’s Disease
A common degenerative brain disease that impairs mental and emotional function in older adults, causing them to lose their memory and ability to care for themselves. Unfortunately, no cure exists today for this disease.  Top

Alzheimer's Assisted Living Centers 
Facilities that are designed for people who are in the early and middle stages of the disease.  Top

Area Agency on Aging, Region One
A private, non-profit corporation, dedicated to coordinating the planning, development, and delivery of services for persons in Maricopa County who are 60 years of age and older, and for adults 18 years and older who are disabled with long term needs. Among many of the organization’s assistance programs is a 24-hour Senior HELP LINE. The LINE is staffed by professionals who provide information in English and Spanish about services including transportation, housing, home care, long-term care and meals on wheels. Their number is (602) 264–HELP [4357] or toll-free at 1-888-783-7500.  Top

Arizona’s Quality Rating System The Department of Health Services provides rating surveys for Nursing Care Centers, conducted as a part of their annual licensure process. Facilities are either rated as Excellent, Standard or Substandard.  Top

Congregate Living
See Independent Living Community Top

Continuing Care Retirement Community
Retirement communities that offer Independent Living, Assisted Living and Nursing Care on a single or adjacent campus. In addition to monthly fees, these communities often require a significant entrance fee. See Lifecare  Top

Dementia
Dementia is not a disease, but a group of symptoms that characterize diseases and conditions. Dementia is commonly defined as a decline in intellectual functioning that is severe enough to interfere with the ability to perform routine activities. When vital brain cells are destroyed, symptoms can include memory loss, confusion and inappropriate social behavior.  Top

Elder Law Attorney
Certification as an Elder Law attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation requires that an individual be competent in an array of Elder Law subjects. For example, health and long-term care planning, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, powers of attorney, guardianship and conservatorships, wills and trusts, probate, etc.  Top

Guardianship
A legal appointment by the courts of a responsible person (Guardian) who can make personal or lifestyle decisions in the best interests of someone who is not capable of making those decisions for themselves (Ward). The authority of a guardian may vary dramatically and is dependent on individual circumstances.  Top

Home Care Agencies
Employ homemakers or chore workers, and companions who support individuals through meal preparation, bathing, dressing and housekeeping. Personnel are assigned according to the needs and wishes of each client. Arizona does not require these agencies to be licensed.  Top

Health Care Financing Administration
The federal agency that runs the Medicare program.  Top

Home Health Care
Skilled nursing care and certain other health care you get in your home for the treatment of an illness or injury.  Top

Hospice Services 
Services that provide counseling and overall support to terminally ill persons and their families. Rather than focus on cures or rehabilitation, hospice services stress maintaining the individual’s quality of life and personal comfort. Hospice services are available in individuals’ homes, hospitals, and many nursing care centers.  Top

HUD Senior Housing 
HUD – Housing and Urban Development. A Federal program that provides affordable independent housing for the elderly and disabled. Most individuals that qualify for HUD must pay approximately 30% of their monthly income to rent. HUD takes care of the remaining 70%. Eligibility requirements may include income, assets, and age.  Top

Incontinence
Loss of bladder and/or bowel control.  Top

Independent Living Community 
Independent Living Communities are adult communities intended specifically for independent seniors who want to enjoy an active lifestyle with other seniors. These communities also offer meal plans, housekeeping services, as well as a variety of social activities and entertainment. In addition, exercise classes and wellness programs are generally offered to encourage optimum good health. Furthermore, many communities have an abundance of amenities that may include a swimming pool/spa, clubhouse, library, beauty salon/barber shop, fitness room, patrolled security, etc. While local transportation is often offered, many residents still prefer to own an automobile. Age requirements for these communities tend to range from none to 55, 60, 62 & 65. These communities may also be refereed to as Congregate Living or Retirement Communities. Top

Lifecare Community
Retirement communities that offer Independent Living, Assisted Living and Nursing Care on a single or adjacent campus. In addition to monthly fees, these communities often require a significant entrance fee. Lifecare typically involves insurance contracts and is therefore regulated by the State Insurance Department.  Top

Living Will
A written instruction that allows an individual to spell out their medical treatment wishes if they become unable to speak for themselves.  Top

Long-Term Care
Custodial care given at home or in a nursing home for people with chronic disabilities and lengthy illnesses. Long-term care is not covered by Medicare.  Top

Medicaid
A Federal financial health care program that helps the State in providing financial assistance for low income and needy persons with limited assets. In Arizona, this program is administered by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). It contains both acute and long-term health care programs.  Top

Medicare
A Federal health care program for persons 65 years of age or older, some disabled people under 65 years of age, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant). Medicare provides payment for skilled nursing care for patients in need of intense rehabilitative care following a hospital stay of three days or more. Medicare will pay 100% of the costs for a Medicare-certified nursing care center for the first 20 days of care, and partial payments for days 21 up to 100. There are two parts to Medicare: Part A primarily covers hospitalization. Part B covers outpatient care, including doctor visits.  Top

Medigap
A Medicare supplemental health insurance policy sold by private insurance companies to fill "gaps" in Original Medicare Plan coverage. There are 10 standardized policies labeled Plan A through Plan J. Medigap policies only work with the Original Medicare Plan.  Top

Nursing Care Centers 
Are designed for individuals who require 24-hour supervised skilled nursing care. Residents receive meals, housekeeping, assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) and therapeutic/rehabilitative nursing services. In addition, various recreational and social activities are generally provided. Stays can range from a few days to several years depending on the nature of the resident’s physical or mental debilitation.  Top

Respite Care
Services designed to provide unpaid caregivers a short break from the responsibilities of providing care for an elderly person. The care may last from a few hours to several weeks. Top

Retirement Community
See Independent Living Community  Top

Senior HELP LINE
Area Agency on Aging provides a FREE 24-hour Senior HELP LINE that is answered by social workers. This service offers a convenient source for the latest information on Agency services. Their number is (602) 264 –HELP [4357] or toll-free at 1-888-783-7500.  Top

Senior Apartments 
Age restricted apartment communities. These communities may also provide an array of social programs and activities geared toward seniors.  Top

Statement of Deficiencies
Arizona Nursing Care Centers are required by law to post this document listing all areas that were deficient when the state last reviewed the facility.  Top

Surrogate Decision Maker
An individual with the decision-making capacity to make certain medical decisions on behalf of an individual if that person is in a licensed health care facility such as a hospital or skilled nursing facility and unable to communicate health care treatment decisions.  Top