Glossary of Terms

We have provided a glossary to help you better understand terms commonly used within health care.

Activities of Daily Living (ADL)

Activities of Daily Living is a term used in health care to refer to a person’s daily self-care activities such as bathing and dressing.

Advance Directives

An Advance Directive also known as an Advance Healthcare Directive is a legal document specifying what actions should be taken if a person is no longer able to make decisions for him or herself due to illness or incapacity.

Bereavement Support Group/Services

Bereavement support groups are a way to promote healing through education and support after the loss of a loved one or close friend. Bereavement group members report a strong positive impact based on both the psycho-educational aspects of groups and the safe haven setting they provide for emotional expression and release of feelings.

Bereavement support are services offered to Hospice Care families free of charge.

Caregiver

The term caregiver can be used interchangeably when referencing a family member or a health care professional.

CMS – Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

CMS is a federal agency that administers the Medicare program within the United States.

Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP)

CHAP is an acronym for the Community Health Accreditation Program, which signifies a standard of excellence by providing services that exceed quality and compliance standards. Home Health & Hospice Care of Nursing Placement is fully accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program.

Companion Care

Companionship, support, emotional care, and assistance to help people maintain their independence and improve their quality of life.

Discharge Planner

A discharge planner is a health care professional within a hospital who assists the patient to transition from the hospital setting to an alternate level of care.

Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

Durable medical equipment is a term used to describe medical equipment ordered by a physician for use within the home. Examples of durable medical equipment include beds and wheelchairs.

Durable Power of Attorney

A durable power of attorney is a legal document that appoints someone to make health care decisions on your behalf should you be unable to do so yourself.

Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is a general term used to describe harmful acts toward an elderly adult, such as physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.

Elder Law

Elder law is a term used to describe an area of legal expertise such as estate planning, wills, trusts, Medicaid eligibility, disability, and other long-term care issues.

Geriatrics

Geriatrics is a medical specialty that focuses on the health care needs of the elderly.

Geriatric Care Manager

Geriatric Care Managers provide support to elderly people and their families by assisting in the management of their health care needs.

Homebound

The term homebound refers to a qualifying criteria for Medicare eligibility for home health care services. Medicare considers someone homebound if:

• You have trouble leaving your home without help (like using a cane, wheelchair, walker, or crutches; special transportation; or help from another person) because of an illness or injury, or
• Leaving your home isn’t recommended because of your condition, and you’re normally unable to leave your home because it’s a major effort.

You may leave home for medical treatment or short, infrequent absences for non-medical reasons, like attending religious services. You can still get home health care if you attend adult day care.

Home Health Aide Services

Services provided by nursing assistants to help with tasks such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation. Read more about Home Health & Hospice Care of Nursing Placement’s top home health aides.

Homemaker Services

General household tasks such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, and errands. Read more about Home Health & Hospice Care of Nursing Placement’s homemakers.

Hospice

Hospice is a philosophy of care focused on pain and symptom management rather than curative treatment while offering both emotional and spiritual support to clients and their families. Learn more about Home Health & Hospice Care of Nursing Placement’s Hospice Care.

Infusion Therapy

Infusion Therapy is the administration of medication through a needle or catheter. Infusion therapy in the home involves the administration of drugs and biologicals in a client’s home either by the client, a caregiver, or qualified Registered Nurses.

Living Will

A living will is a legal document that allows people to state their wishes for end-of-life medical care.

Long Term Care Facility

Long-term care facility refers to nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

Long Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance is a policy that helps pay for care when you can no longer care for yourself.  Services that may be covered include:  adult day care, nursing home or assisted living care, home health care, and hospice care. Read more about long-term care insurance in this AARP guide. 

Managed Care Organizations (MCO)

The term managed care organization is used to describe a variety of techniques intended to reduce the cost of providing health care benefits and improving quality and delivery of care.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a social health care program in the United States for individuals and families with low income and limited resources. Learn more about Medicaid at www.medicaid.gov.

Medicare

Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people over the age of 65.

Younger individuals may also qualify for Medicare including those with disabilities. Medicare helps with the cost of health care, but does not cover all medical expenses.

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)

Helps to cover in-patient hospital care, nursing home and Hospice care and some home health care services provided you meet the qualifying criteria. Click here to learn more about Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance).

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)

Anyone who is eligible for Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) can enroll in Medicare Part B by paying a monthly premium. Click here to learn more about Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance).

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plan)

Anyone who receives Part A and B benefits directly from the government has what is referred to as traditional Medicare. However, there are private insurance companies and other organizations approved by Medicare that have products termed as a Medicare Advantage Plan. Click here to learn more about Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plan).

Medicare Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Plans)

Anyone who has traditional Medicare coverage is eligible for prescription drug coverage (Part D). Joining a Medicare prescription drug plan is voluntary and you are required to pay an additional monthly premium for Part D coverage. Click here to learn more about Medicare Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Plans).

National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC)

Home Health & Hospice Care of Nursing Placement is a registered member of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice. This non-profit organization represents 33,000 home health and hospice organizations throughout the United States.

Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS)

The Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) is a comprehensive set of data elements representing an assessment of adult home health care patients, which form the basis for measuring patient outcomes for purposes of outcome-based quality improvement (OBQI). The OASIS is a key component of Medicare’s partnership with the home care industry to improve and monitor patient outcomes.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

Occupational Therapy is the use of assessment and treatment to develop, recover or maintain the daily living skills of people with physical, mental, or cognitive disorders. Occupational therapy interventions focus on adapting an environment or task, teaching a skill and/or educating the client’s family in order to increase participation in and performance of daily activities. Read more about Home Health & Hospice Care of Nursing Placement’s skilled services like occupational therapists.

Palliative Care

Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses with the goal of improving quality of life for both the patient and family. Palliative care focuses on pain and symptom management and takes a team approach to care, which includes doctors, nurses, social workers, pharmacists and palliative care specialists. Learn more about Home Health & Hospice Care of Nursing Placement’s Hospice and Palliative Care services.

Physical Therapy (PT)

Physical therapy or physiotherapy is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialty focusing on the remediation of impairments and promotion of improved mobility, function and quality of life. Read more about Home Health & Hospice Care of Nursing Placement’s skilled services like physical therapists.

Plan of Care

A plan of care is a written physician’s order for home health care services.

Prior Authorization

Approval for the initiation and/or continuation of home care services by a managed care or insurance company. Intake and Insurance specialists who are always happy to answer any questions you may have. Read more about which insurance providers work with Home Health & Hospice Care of Nursing Placement.

Provider

Provider is a term used to describe an institution, facility or agency that provides medical care.

Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement (QAPI)

QAPI is a program that provides health care facilities and agencies with initiatives that go beyond standard quality assessment programs. Click here to learn more about how QAPI puts practices in place to continuously improve and monitor quality of care and performance.

Re-hospitalization Rate

Re-hospitalization rate refers to the percentage of home health care patients who are re-admitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge.

Rehabilitation Services

Rehabilitation services refer to specialized health care dedicated to improving, maintaining or restoring physical strength or cognitive ability. Rehabilitation services may include, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

Skilled Care

Skilled care refers to medical care provided within the home or in a facility by a doctor, nurse, or therapist. Read more about Home Health & Hospice Care of Nursing Placement’s skilled services like occupational therapists, registered dieticians, physical therapists, speech therapists, and licensed practical nurses, hospice nurses, and registered nurses.

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)

A skilled nursing facility or nursing home, offers the highest level of care outside a hospital, which allows the delivery of some medical procedures, and therapies that would not be possible in other settings. Skilled nursing care is available on site, usually 24 hours a day. To learn more about recovery at home or remaining in your own home, rather than be at a Skilled Nursing Facility, contact Nursing Placement’s Intake and Insurance specialists who are always happy to answer any questions you may have.

Speech Therapy (ST)

Speech therapy or speech-language pathology services are provided in all areas of communication, as well as swallowing and feeding disorders. Read more about Home Health & Hospice Care of Nursing Placement’s skilled services like speech therapists.

Underinsured

The term underinsured refers to inadequate insurance coverage. Read more about which insurance providers work with Home Health & Hospice Care of Nursing Placement.

Worker’s Compensation

An insurance policy that employers are required to carry which covers employees who are injured on the job. Click here to learn more about Workers’ Compensation in Rhode Island. Read more about Workers’ Compensation in Massachusetts. Click here to learn more about Workers’ Compensation in Connecticut. And here for federal Workers Comp information.