Glossary of Helpful Senior Living Terms

Searching for assisted living and a little lost on the lingo? Here’s a list published by the Assisted Living Federation of America detailing all those confusing acronyms and words:

http://www.alfa.org/alfa/Glossary_of_Terms.asp

Some of the most commonly used are:

• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) – Bathing, dressing and grooming, walking and moving about, eating, toileting, and other personal care tasks.
• Independent Living Units – Units that may include some basic services such as meals and housekeeping. Sometimes also referred to as “Instrumental Activities of Daily Living” or IADLs)
• Caregiver or (CNA) – Refers to day-to-day caregivers in senior living settings who may aid with medications, dressing, dining, ambulating, etc. These are often certified professionals (Certified Nursing Aides)
• Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) – A community that offers several levels of assistance, including independent living, assisted living and nursing home care. It is different from other housing and care options for seniors because it usually provides a written agreement or long-term contract between the resident and the community, which offers a continuum of housing, services and health care system, commonly all on one campus or site.