ABCs of Caregiving
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-07-05 18:18:06.192434-04:00
By Lynn Dobb, Education Manager, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
When caring for an aging family member or friend, it is critical to have adequate information about available programs and services. The first step toward making an informed decision is to understand the language used by the professionals. The fields of Gerontology (the study of the social aspects of aging) and Geriatrics (the study of health-related aspects of aging) are complex. The many different terms and acronyms can confuse older adults and their care providers. In fact, these terms can be confusing to professionals as well!
I’ve identified some of the more common terms and acronyms here. It is not intended to be a complete list; however, it is a good start.
Adult Day Services – programs offering social and recreational activities, supervision, health services, and meals in a protective setting for older adults with physical or cognitive disabilities.
Advance directive – legal document in which people give others instructions about their preferences with regard to health care decisions in case they become incapacitated in some way. Two types of advance directives are a living will and a durable power-of-attorney for health care.
Area Agency on Aging (AAA) – Regional organizations that oversee programs serving elders (12 in Ohio). Provide information and referral services. To reach your local AAA, call 1-866-243-5678 (toll free).
Care/Case Management (CM) – Offers a single point of contact to the aging services network. Care/Case managers assess clients’ needs, create service plans, and coordinate and monitor services. Typically they are nurses or social workers.
Custodial Care – Care that does not require specialized training or services. Assistance with activities of daily living, as well as self-administration of medications and preparing special diets. Examples: help in walking, eating, and taking medicine. Also may be referred to as Activities of Daily Living (ADL).
Durable Medical Equipment/Home Medical Equipment (DME/HME) – Equipment that enables independent functioning, such as walkers, wheelchairs, oxygen, lift chairs, etc.
Emergency Response Systems/Personal Response System (ERS/PRS) – Also called lifelines or personal emergency response systems. Call button usually worn by the older individual that can be pushed to get help from family, friends, or emergency assistance in case of emergency.
Home Health Care – Includes a wide range of health-related services, such as assistance with medications, wound care, intravenous (IV) therapy, and help with basic needs such as bathing, dressing, mobility, etc.
Homemaker Services (HMKR) – Help with light housekeeping, laundry, shopping, and meal preparation.
Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) – A health care facility that provides care and services to individuals who do not need skilled nursing care, but whose mental or physical condition requires more than custodial care and services in an institutional setting.
Long-Term Care (LTC) – Range of medical and/or social services designed to help people who have disabilities or chronic care needs. Services may be short-term or long-term and may be provided in a person’s home, in the community, or in residential facilities (nursing homes, assisted living facilities).
Medicaid – Federal and state funded program of medical assistance to low-income individuals of all ages. There are income eligibility requirements. Contact local Department of Jobs and Family Services for more information.
Medicare – Federal health insurance program for persons age 65 and over (and certain disabled persons under age 65). Includes Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (optional medical insurance), and Part D (prescription drug insurance).
Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) – Works closely with statewide agencies, advocates and service providers to advocate and serve older Ohioans. ODA was established as a cabinet-level state department in 1984. The Aging Network is comprised of the Department of Aging, Area Agencies on Aging, the Ohio Advisory Council for Aging, county and local agencies on aging, senior centers, senior service provider agencies, universities and others.
Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) – Program sponsored by the Ohio Department of Insurance. OSHIIP provides free information and advice about health insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, long-term care, and other health insurance. To find local OSHIIP center in your area, call 1-800-686-1578.
PASSPORT – Ohio’s home and community-based long-term care service program for low-income persons age 60 and older. Call your local Area Agency on Agency for more information.
Personal Care Assistance/Home Health Aide (PCA/HHA) – Provides non-medical services to assist older persons in the home such as bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning, laundry, and running errands.
Respite Care – Service in which trained professionals or volunteers come into the home or provide short-term care at a nursing facility (from a few hours to a few days) for an older person to allow caregivers some time away from their caregiving role. Adult day service may be another way to provide "respite."
Skilled Care – A “higher level” of care (such as injections, catheterization, and dressing changes) provided by trained medical professionals, including nurses, doctors, and physical therapists.
Title III services – Services provided to individuals age 60 and older funded under Title III of the Older Americans Act. Services include: congregate and home-delivered meals, supportive services (e.g., transportation, information and referral, legal assistance), in-home services (e.g., homemaker services, personal care, chore services), and health promotion disease prevention services (e.g., health screenings, exercise programs). Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to see what services may be available in your area.
preview