Glossary

Words to know

Plain-English meanings for the care, aging, and training terms you will see on our site.

A

Adult day health care (ADHC): A daytime program where older adults or adults with disabilities get health care, therapy, meals, and social activities, then go home at night. It can also give family caregivers time to rest or work.
See also: CBAS , Respite care

C

Care management: Help from a trained professional who looks at a person’s health and daily needs, makes a care plan, and coordinates doctors, services, and family so everyone works together. Also called case management.
See also: Geriatric case management , Care plan
Care plan: A written plan that lists a person’s needs and goals, the services and support they will get, and who is responsible for each part. It is updated as needs change.
See also: Care management
Caregiver: Someone who helps a person with health care or daily tasks. A family caregiver is usually an unpaid relative or friend, such as an adult child caring for a parent or a spouse caring for a partner.
See also: Respite care , Support group
CE credit hours: Hours of approved training that count toward the continuing education a professional must complete to keep a license or certification. A course states how many hours it is worth.
See also: CE , NAB
Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS): California’s Medi-Cal program for adult day health care. It offers daytime health and social services to adults who qualify, so they can keep living at home.
See also: ADHC , Medicaid
Continuing education (CE): Classes and training that working professionals take after they are licensed to keep their skills current. Many licenses require a set number of continuing education hours.
See also: CE credit hours , NAB , NCERS

D

Dementia: A general term for a decline in memory, thinking, or reasoning that is serious enough to affect daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause.

E

Enhanced Care Management (ECM): A Medi-Cal benefit in California that gives people with complex needs a care manager who helps coordinate their health and social services.
See also: Care management , Medicaid

G

Geriatric case management: Care management focused on older adults. A care manager helps the older adult and family understand health and care needs, make a care plan, and work with doctors and services.
See also: Care management , Care plan , Gerontology
Gerontology: The study of aging and older adults, including health, social, and emotional changes over time. A gerontologist is a person trained in this field.

H

Health span: The number of years a person lives in good health, not just the total number of years they live (life span).

L

Long-term care: Help with health care and everyday tasks—like bathing, dressing, or meals—for months or years. It can happen at home, in the community, or in a care facility.
See also: LTSS , Long-term care insurance
Long-term care insurance: A type of insurance that helps pay for long-term care. Each policy has its own rules about what it covers and when it pays.
See also: Long-term care
Long-Term Support & Services (LTSS): The wide range of help people may need over a long time because of age, illness, or disability. It includes care at home, adult day programs, care facilities, and the benefits that help pay for them.
See also: Long-term care , Medicare , Medicaid

M

Medicaid: A health coverage program run by states and the federal government for people with limited income. It can help pay for some long-term care. In California it is called Medi-Cal.
See also: Medicare , LTSS
Medicare: Federal health insurance for people 65 and older and for some younger people with disabilities. It covers many medical costs but pays for only limited long-term care.
See also: Medicaid , Long-term care

N

National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB)

A national group that sets standards for licensing nursing home administrators and other leaders in senior living. Through its NCERS program, NAB approves continuing education courses for these professionals.

Learn more at nabweb.org (opens in a new tab)

P

Practicum: Supervised, hands-on work experience that students complete as part of a college or university program. It is similar to an internship.

R

Respite care: Short-term care for a person so their regular caregiver can take a break. It can last a few hours or a few days.
See also: Caregiver , ADHC

S

Support group: A group of people facing similar challenges who meet to share experiences, encourage each other, and learn. A trained facilitator often guides the conversation.
See also: Caregiver

W

WOOP: A goal-setting method: name your Wish, picture the best Outcome, spot the main Obstacle, and make a Plan for what you will do when that obstacle comes up.

Don't see a word you're looking for? Email us at info@qolg.org and we'll be glad to explain.