Glossary of Terms

 

Advanced Directives

An advance directive is a witnessed written document by a person expressing their instructions about health care, through documents, including but not limited to, the:
• Designation of health care surrogate
• A living will; or
• A do-not-resuscitate order
 

Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks of daily living.
 

Dementia

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life.
 

Health Care Surrogate

A health care surrogate shall have the authority to act for the person during his or her incapacity.
 

Home Health Care

Home health care is a wide range of health care services that can be given in your home for an illness or injury.
 

Hospice

A hospice is a facility or program that provides pain relief and other support services for the terminally ill.
 

Living Will

A living will is a witnessed written declaration providing instructions concerning life-prolonging procedures in the event such person suffers from a terminal condition.
 

Long Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance is an insurance product which helps pay for long-term care typically not covered by regular health insurance, Medicare or Medicare Supplemental Insurance.
 

Power of Attorney

A power of attorney exists when one person, the principal, gives someone else, the attorney in fact or agent, written authority to do some specified acts.
 

Skilled Nursing

Skilled nursing facilities provide skilled nursing care on a 24-hour basis. Skilled nursing care is comprehensive, planned medical care that includes rehabilitative therapy, diet supervision and trained observation.