Our Glossary can help you learn about the different senior housing choices available; we hope this will be helpful in making your living choices.

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

Aging in Place: Concept which advocates allowing a resident to choose to remain in his/her living environment despite the physical and or mental decline that may occur with the aging process of aging.

Assisted Living: In general, state-licensed program offered at a residential community with services that include meals, laundry, housekeeping, medication reminders, and assistance with ADLs. The exact definition will vary from state to state, and a few states do not license assisted living facilities. Generally regarded as one to two steps below skilled nursing in level of care. Approximately 90 percent of the country's assisted living services are paid for with private funds, although some states have adopted Medicaid waiver programs. Might also be referred to as Personal Care, Board and Care, Residential Care, Boarding Home, etc., although some states differentiate between their definition of "Assisted Living" and these other terms (e.g., Washington state recognizes and licenses "Assisted Living" facilities as well as "Boarding Homes"; Although licensed by the State of Washington, a Boarding Home does not meet the higher physical plant and service requirements necessary to be considered an Assisted Living facility) .

Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC): Housing planned and operated to provide a continuum of accommodations and services for seniors including, but not limited to, independent living, congregate housing, assisted living, and skilled nursing care. A CCRC resident contract typically involves either an entry fee or buy-in fee in addition to the monthly service charges, which may change according to the medical services required. Entry fees may be partially or fully refundable. The fee is used primarily as a method of privately financing the development of the project, along with other financing forms. CCRCs are typically licensed by the state. See also Life Care Community.

HMO: A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is an organized system for providing comprehensive health care in a specific geographic area to a voluntarily enrolled group of members.

Home Health Care: Provision of medical and nursing services in the individual's home by a licensed provider. Independent Living: Multi-unit senior housing development with supportive services such as meals, housekeeping, social activities, and transportation. Independent Living typically encourages socialization by provision of meals in a central dining area and scheduled social programs. Unless an Assisted Living program is available on site, congregate housing does not provide any health-care services or assistance with ADLs, and is not licensed. May also be known as Independent Living or Retirement Housing/Home. Intermediate Care Facility (ICF): State licensed facility which generally provides a level of care between assisted living and skilled nursing. Targeted to individuals not capable of independent living, yet not in need of 24-hour nursing care. In the process of being phased out in many states.

Kitchenette: Each facility may have its own definition of a kitchenette, but generally one includes a sink, cabinet space, and a mini-refrigerator, maybe a microwave. In contrast, a full kitchen would usually have a burner unit, sink, cabinets, full-size refrigerator, and possibly a microwave or stove.

Life Care Community: Similar to CCRC, but differs in that a Life Care Community provides all levels of care on site, including acute care and physician's visits. No change is made in the monthly fee, regardless of the level of medical care required by the resident.

Long-Term Care: Provision of services to persons of any age who are afflicted with chronic health impairments.

Long-Term Care Insurance: Privately issued insurance policy which covers the cost of nursing facility care. Premiums are based on age, health, length of deductible period, amount paid, and duration of benefits. Currently pays only two percent of national nursing home costs.

Managed Care: There is currently no standard definition of managed care, but it can best be described as a combination of insurance and a health care delivery system. The basic goal of managed care is to coordinate all health care services received to maximize benefits and minimize costs. Managed care plans use their own network of health care providers and a system of prior approval from a primary care doctor in order to achieve this goal. Providers include: specialists, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, therapists, and home health care agencies.

Medicaid: A medical financial assistance program administered by each state, offering benefits to the economically disadvantaged, disabled, and elderly. Part of the Medicare program that pays for nursing facility care when an individual cannot afford to pay for these services, Medicaid accounts for about 52 percent of the nation's care costs, and is the source of payment for almost 70 percent of residents in nursing homes. The person must have exhausted nearly all assets and be in a nursing facility that participates in this program. Medicaid can reimburse Nursing Facilities for the long-term care of qualifying seniors, and in some states, Medicaid pays for Assisted Living Care.

Medicare: Nationwide medical insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration for individuals 65 and over and certain disabled people, regardless of income. Provides for hospital and nursing facility care (Part A) and physician services, therapies, and home health care (Part B).

Medications Management: Formalized procedure with a written set of rules for the management of self-administered medicine in an assisted living setting. A typical program will include management of the timing and dosage for residents, and may include coordination with a resident's personal physician. The resident must take the medication him or herself. For instance, the facility can remind the resident that she needs to give herself the medicine injection, but the facility cannot perform the actual injection itself.

Medigap Insurance: Private health insurance policies that supplement Medicare coverage, covering health care costs above those covered by Medicare Part A or Part B. Does not provide benefits for long term care, covering primarily hospital and doctor bills.

Non-Ambulatory: Inability to ambulate, walk around, and usually bed-ridden or hospitalized.

Not-for-Profit: Status of ownership and/or operation characterized by government by community-based boards of trustees who are all volunteers. Board members donate their time and talents to ensure that a not-for-profit organization's approach to caring for older people responds to local needs. Not-for-profit homes and services turn any surplus income back into improving or expanding services for their clients or residents.

Nursing Facility (NF): Facility licensed by the state, providing 24-hour nursing care for convalescent residents and those with long-term care illnesses. One step below hospital acute care. Regular medical supervision and rehabilitation therapy are typically available.

Senior Apartment: Age-restricted building with self-contained living units for older adults who are able to care for themselves and live independently. Usually no additional services such as meals or transportation are provided.