Senior Care Authority

Common Terms

Kathy Thompson, Local Senior Advisors

651 Holiday Drive, Suite 400 - Pittsburgh, PA 15220

(412) 945-7172

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Common Terms

We have compiled this list of acronyms and terms you might encounter to help you understand and simplify the shorthand that is often used. It’s always acceptable and a good idea to ask questions if something doesn’t make sense to you!

Long Term Care Services

ADL

Activities of Daily Living, including bathing, grooming, feeding, toileting, dressing, mobility assistance

IADL

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, related primarily to independent living, include cooking, driving or use of public transportation, managing medication, housework and others

AID and ATTENDANCE

Common financial benefit for eligible Veterans to be used for care needs

LTC

long-term care, generally assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing

independent living, no care, unlicensed, but may offer meals in common dining room, housekeeping, some transportation

assisted living, for people needing assistance with ADLs, med management, includes meals, laundry, housekeeping, some transportation to appointments, planned activities and excursions

memory care, services provided in assisted living with additional care and supervision for those with cognitive impairment, includes appropriate activities

CCRC

continuing care retirement community, may require a buy in, usually offers all levels of care through end of life

SNF

skilled nursing facility, for those requiring medical services as part of their care plan; also used for post acute rehabilitation

APS

Adult Protective Services

OMBUDSMEN

protects residents’ rights in assisted and memory care communities

Service Providers

CDP

certified dementia practitioner

CNA

certified nursing assistant

CSA

certified senior advisor

HHA

home health aide

LVN

licensed vocational nurse

LPN

licensed practical nurse

registered nurse

nurse practitioner

PCP

primary care provider

Medical

medical shorthand for diagnosis

ALZ

Alzheimer’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease

FTL

Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia

DLB

Dementia with Lewy Bodies

MCI

Mild Cognitive Impairment

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CHF

congestive heart failure

DNR

Do not resuscitate

Advanced Directive

POA

Power of Attorney (one for healthcare, and one for financial)

“YOU SIMPLY SAVED ME, SENIOR CARE AUTHORITY®. YOU DID MORE THAN I EVER COULD HAVE HOPED FOR. THANK YOU EVER SO MUCH FOR BEING THERE IN SUCH A DESPERATE TIME OF CRISIS AND MAKING IT EASY AND ENDING VERY SUCCESSFULLY"

N Bennet

“We received all the help we needed and were extremely satisfied with all your follow up.”

- S. Culver

“My mom really appreciated you coming to the residential care home the night my dad arrived. Thank you!”

- J. Giovanni

“You are amazingly wonderful and patient and do good things in this world.”

- S. Coleman

"My family and I recently worked with Kathy Thompson in placing our parents in a senior care/assisted living facility. When we started the process, we had absolutely no idea how or where to begin. We met with Kathy, and she was the blessing we needed in this venture. Kathy is extremely knowledgeable, experienced, and well versed in senior care. She is very caring, thoughtful, and attentive to the needs of the family and those going into care. In a time of stress, confusion and overwhelming emotion Kathy provided some calm. She did all the legwork, research, and scheduling of tours to view various facilities that would fit our needs, comfort level and budget. If you ever need to explore senior care needs, I cannot recommend her enough. Not only is she extremely good at what she does, but she is also a genuinely good person."

- Matt W, Bethel Park

"I have known Kathy for over 11 years now. To say she is a kind soul would be an understatement. Kathy is good people, period! If Kathy is recommending a care facility for you or your family member, then she has thoroughly checked it out. I would not hesitate to put any of my family into her care. You have found the right person to help you."

- Michael O, Greentree

"I have had the pleasure of getting to know Kathy. She has always been so down to earth and truly cares about working hard for her clients. If you want someone who is personable, friendly, knowledgeable, and cares about the client first you will not be disappointed with Kathy! Thank you for everything, Kathy!"

- Alicia C, Delmont

"Kathy Thompson was a tremendous help with identifying the right fit for an assisted living facility for both my parents. She took the time to understand the requirements and desires of both my parents as well as us siblings and factor those into her recommendations. We needed to find a facility in very short order and Kathy was able to get us tours and interviews with 5 different locations in less than a week of our initial interview with her. Thanks to her help we were able secure the rooms and care needed for each, just a few days after the tour of the facility we ended up choosing. Thanks again Kathy for all your help and I highly recommend her services."

- Jim W, Upper St Clair

"I have known Kathy Thompson for over 13 years. She is someone who is extremely dedicated to her profession. She works tirelessly for her clients, striving to understand and address their unique needs. In addition, she exhibits wonderful caring and empathy for our senior population."

- Veronica B, Pittsburgh

Common Terms

Common Terms

Long Term Care Services

Service Providers

Medical

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“We received all the help we needed and were extremely satisfied with all your follow up.”

“My mom really appreciated you coming to the residential care home the night my dad arrived. Thank you!”

“You are amazingly wonderful and patient and do good things in this world.”

"I have known Kathy Thompson for over 13 years. She is someone who is extremely dedicated to her profession. She works tirelessly for her clients, striving to understand and address their unique needs. In addition, she exhibits wonderful caring and empathy for our senior population."