Jcaho National Patient Safety Goals

The terminology surrounding health care and elderly care, especially at times can make you feel confused and overwhelmed. Always Best Care has created a list of common terms to help you in this process. However, understanding what type of care is good for your loved one can be a daunting task. For over a decade was always best care to help our seniors through this process. Let Always Best Care Guide you through the maze of health care. Our care coordinators are local and willing to help. Always Best Care Call today for your obligation free consultation or visit our website www.alwaysbestcare.com to find the office nearest you.

Use this glossary of terms to help understand some terms related to elder care giving and services.

Abuse
Violence is a situation that creates a potential risk to a person - physical or emotional. You can also view the adult protective services in this glossary. Advantage List: A list of health providers who agree to give particular insurance company policyholders a preset discount.

Accreditation:
A seal of approval given by a Board of Directors to housing and / or service provider. To be accredited, community or provider must meet specific requirements set by the accreditation entity and is then generally subjected to an extensive review process by a team of evaluators to ensure certain quality standards. Accrediting organizations are not government agencies or regulatory agencies. Examples of some accreditation bodies for nursing homes and care industry include CCAC (Continuing Care Accreditation Commission), CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation) and JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of health care).

Activities of daily living (ADLs):
Daily activities such as bathing, grooming, eating, toileting and dressing.

Sickness Acute
A serious illness such as heart attack or stroke that develops rapidly with pronounced symptoms. The disease may be of short duration such as influenza.

Adaptive devices:
A series of devices that are used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals, providing the necessary assistance to stay at home. These devices can contribute to vision, hearing, mobility, communication or other needs, and wheelchairs, walkers, touch-sensitive switches, telephone amplifiers, stair lifts, chairs with lifts and computers. May also be known as assistive technology.

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act):
Act passed by Congress in 1980, establishing a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability.

Administrator:
Typically, a licensed professional who manages the daily operation of a care facility like a nursing home or assisted living facility.

Adult Day Care:
The daily structured in a community setting with activities and related health and rehabilitation services to seniors who are physically disabled or psychologically and need a protective environment. This care is provided during the day, individual return home for the evening.

Day Services Adult Health:
A program that provides medically necessary services in an ambulatory care facility for persons who are non-residents of the facility, and who, because of their physical and / or cognitive disabilities, require such services to support their Life in the community who can not be prov.