Senior Care Authority
Common Terms
Lisa Isbell, Local Senior Advisor
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) |
