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Senior Care Authority

Common Terms

Kathy Thompson, Local Senior Advisors

651 Holiday Drive, Suite 400 - Pittsburgh, PA 15220

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
IL
independent living, no care, unlicensed, but may offer meals in common dining room, housekeeping, some transportation
AL
assisted living, for people needing assistance with ADLs, med management, includes meals, laundry, housekeeping, some transportation to appointments, planned activities and excursions
MC
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
RN
registered nurse
NP
nurse practitioner
PCP
primary care provider

Medical

DX
medical shorthand for diagnosis
ALZ
Alzheimer’s Disease
PD
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
AD
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

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Grandpa and Grandson
Couple at Lake

“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
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