Abuse:
The willful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or cruel punishment with resulting physical harm, pain, or mental anguish; or deprivation by a person including a caregiver of goods or services that are necessary to avoid physical harm, mental anguish or mental illness.

Activities of Daily Living:
Functions and tasks for self-care, including: bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, taking medications, toileting and other personal care activities

Adult Day Care Center:
Provides a protective setting that is noninstitutional as possible. Adult day centers offer therapeutic programs of health services and social activities such as leisure activities, self-care training, rest, nutritional services, and respite care for a portion of a day.

Adult Family Care Home:
A full time, family-type living arrangement in a private home, under which a person or persons provide for-profit or not-for-profit room, board and one or more personal services as appropriate for the level of functional impairment for no more than five aged persons or disabled adults who are not relatives.

Adult Protective Services:
The provision or arrangement of services to protect a disabled adult or an elderly person from further occurrences of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Services may include protective supervision, placement or in-home and community based services.

Advanced Directive:
Generally, an advanced directive is a written document you prepare stating how you want medical decisions made if you lose the ability to make decisions for yourself. The two most commonly prepared advanced directives are: a "Living Will"; and a "Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care."

Advocacy Groups:
Advocacy Groups for elders are organizations that advocate for the improvement of health, independence and quality of life of older individuals. Examples include: American Association of Retired Persons (AARP); National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSC); National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A); and National Council on Aging (NCOA).

AmeriCorps:
A network of national service programs that engage members and community volunteers in intensive service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health and the environment. Programs rely on a multigenerational corps of AmeriCorps Members who receive a living allowance and commit to one year of service in exchange for an education award and health insurance benefits.

Area Agency on Aging (AAA):
A public or nonprofit agency, or office designated by the department to coordinate and administer the department's programs and to provide, through contracting agencies, services within a planning and service area. An area agency on aging serves as both the advocate and the visible focal point in its planning and service area to foster the development of comprehensive and coordinated service systems to serve older individuals.

Art Therapy:
The use of art and artistic processes specifically selected and administered by an art therapist, or improvement of the mental, emotional or social functioning of an older individual.

Assisted Living Facility:
A combination of housing, personalized supportive services and health care designed to meet the needs -- both scheduled and unscheduled -- of those who need assistance with activities of daily living.

Assistive Technology:
Technology, engineering methodologies or scientific principles appropriate to meet the needs of and address the barriers confronted by older individuals with functional limitations.

Attendant Care:
Hands-on care, of both a supportive and health related nature, specific to the needs of a medically stable, physically handicapped individual. Supportive services are those which substitute for the absence, loss, diminution, or impairment of a physical or cognitive function.

Basic Services:
Include, but are not limited to providing a protective setting that is a noninstitutional as possible; therapeutic programs of social and health services; leisure activities; self-care training; rest; nutritional services; and respite services.

Basic Subsidy:
A fixed sum cash payment made to an eligible caregiver each month to reimburse some of their expenses of caring for a client. A basic subsidy is provided for support and maintenance of the care recipient, including medical costs not covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or any other insurance.

Benefit:
Assistance, aid, obligation, promise, debt, liability, or the like, related to any covered injury, illness, or necessary medical care, goods, or services.

Capacity to Consent:
A disabled adult or elderly person has sufficient understanding to make and communicate responsible decisions regarding the disabled adult's or elderly person's property, including whether or not to accept protective services offered by the department.

Case Management:
A service provided to an older individual at the direction of the older individual or a family member of the individual. Service is provided by an individual who is trained or experienced in case management.

Certified Nursing Assistant:
Trained individual responsible for the personal care of the residents such as assistance with bathing, feeding, eating, walking, turning in bed, etc.

Chemical Restraint:
A pharmacologic drug that physically limits, restricts or deprives an individual of movement or mobility and is used for discipline or convenience and not required for the treatment of medical symptoms.

Chore:
The performance of routine house or yard tasks including such jobs as seasonal cleaning, yard work, lifting and moving furniture, appliances, or heavy objects; household repairs which do not require a permit or specialist; and household maintenance.

Community Care for Disabled Adults:
Program for the prevention of unnecessary institutionalization of disabled adults through the provisions of community-based services.

Community Care for the Elderly:
Program provides a community based service program for frail and impaired elderly to prevent or delay institutionalization.

Companionship:
Visitation to a client who is socially and/or geographically isolated, for the purpose of relieving loneliness and providing continuing social contact with the community by casual conversation, providing assistance with reading, writing letters, entertaining games, escorting a client to a doctor's appointment and diversional activities such as going to the movies, mall, library or grocery shopping.

Congregate Meals:
The provision of a meal at an assembled meal site which complies with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and provides 1/3 daily recommended daily allowance for individuals 51 years older as established by the Food and Nutrition Board of National Academy of Sciences.

Consumable Medical Supplies:
Disposable supplies used by a recipient and/or caregiver which are essential to adequately care for the recipients needs. Such supplies enable the recipient to either perform activities of daily living or stabilize and monitor a health condition.

Consumer Directed Care:
Service model that allows consumers, or their caregivers, to be in charge of directing their own care. Services that the consumer might have a family member, neighbor, or a formal service provider perform include activities such as bathing, transporting, feeding and other tasks needed for the individual to remain safely in their own home. The consumer has the choice of who provides the care, when the care is provided and how it is done.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities:
Also called Life-Care Communities, these facilities offer different levels of care based on the needs of the individual or couple. The care level ranges from independent living apartment or house to a skilled nursing in an affiliated nursing. CCRC residents are guaranteed care for the rest of their lives. Residents move from one setting to another based on their needs but continue to remain a part of their CCRC community.

Core Services:
A variety of home-delivered services, day care services, and other basic services that may be provided by several entities. Core services are most needed to prevent unnecessary institutionalization.

Custodial Service:
Care for a person which entails observation of diet and sleeping habits and maintenance of a watchfulness over the general health, safety and well-being of the aged or infirmed.

Dance-movement therapy:
The use of psychotherapeutic movement as a process facilitated by a dance-movement therapist, to further the emotional, cognitive or physical health of an older individual.

Disabled Adult:
Any persons at least 18 years of age who has one or more permanent physical or mental limitations which restrict his or her ability to perform the normal activities of daily living and impede his or her capacity to live independently or with relatives or friends without the provision of community-based services.

Dementia:
Clinical term used to describe a group of brain disorders that disrupt and impair cognitive functions (thinking, memory, judgement, personality, mood and social functioning).

Durable Power of Attorney:
Device available to Floridians that makes it possible for a person to plan ahead for the eventuality of serious incapacity. By creating a durable power of attorney a person can designate any person, whether a family member, a friend, or a trusted confidant to handle his or her affairs. The statute requires an attorney in fact to be a natural person who is at least 18 years of age and of sound mind, or a financial institution with trust powers authorized to conduct a place of business in this state. A durable power of attorney must be in writing, and must include the words "This durable power of attorney is not affected by subsequent incapacity of the principal except as provided in Florida Statutes 709.08," or similar words.

Elder Abuse:
Abuse of an older individual.

Elder Helpline:
The starting point for information and referral in the community. Elder Helplines exist to help people find answers to their questions about aging issues and the services and opportunities available to elders.

Elder in Need of Service:
A vulnerable adult who has been determined by a protective investigator to be suffering from the ill effects of neglect not caused by a second party perpetrator and is in need of protective services or other services to prevent further harm.

Emergency Alert Response:
A community based electronic surveillance service which monitors the frail homebound elder by means of an electronic communication link with a response center.

Emergency Services and Care:
Medical screening, examination, and evaluation by a physician, or to the extent permitted by applicable laws, by other appropriate personnel under the supervision of a physician to determine whether an emergency medical condition exists. If it does, the care treatment or surgery for a covered service by a physician which is necessary to relieve or eliminate the emergency medical conditional within the service capability of a hospital.

Escort:
Personal accompaniment and assistance to a person who has difficulties (physical or cognitive) using regular vehicular transportation. The accompaniment and assistance maybe provided to individuals to or from service providers, medical appointment(s), or other destinations needed by the client.

Exploitation:
A person who stands in a position of trust and confidence with a disabled adult or an elderly person and knowingly by deception or intimidation, obtains or uses or endeavors to obtain or use a disabled adult's or an elderly person's funds, assets or property with the intent to temporarily or permanently deprive a disabled adult or an elder person of the use, benefit or possession of the funds, assets or property for the benefit of someone other than the disabled adult or elderly person.

Facility:
Any institution, building, residence, private home or other place, whether operated for profit or not, including a place operated by a county or municipality which undertakes through its ownership or management to provide for a period exceeding 24-hour nursing care, personal care, or custodial care for three or more persons not related to the owner or manager by blood or marriage who by reason of illness physical infirmity or advanced age require such services, but does not include any place providing care and treatment primarily for the acutely ill.

Family Unit:
One or more individuals whose primary residence is with a homebound elderly individual specifically for the purpose of providing care for that homebound elderly individual. The family does not necessarily need to be related by blood or marriage to the homebound elderly individual.

Frail Elder:
A person 60 years of age or older who is suffering from the infirmities of aging as manifested by advanced age of organic brain damage, or other physical, mental or emotional dysfunctioning to the extent that the ability of the person to provide adequately for the person's own care or protection is impaired.

Geriatric Patient:
Any patient who is 60 years of age or older.

Geriatric Outpatient Clinic:
A site for providing outpatient health care to persons 60 years of age older which is staffed by registered nurse or a physician assistant.

Guardian:
A person to whom the law has entrusted the custody and control of the person or property or both of a person who has been legally adjudged incapacitated.

Health Maintenance Services:
Services that are necessary to help maintain the health of a functionally impaired elderly person but that are limited to medical therapeutic services, nonmedical prevention services, personal care services, home health aide, home nursing, and emergency response systems.

Home Health Agency:
Provides health and medical services and medical supplies through visits to private homes, assisted living facilities, and adult family care homes.

Home Health Services:
Health and medical services and medical supplies furnished to an individual by home health agency personnel or by others under arrangements with the agency, on a visiting basis, in the individual's home or place of residence. Services include nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, speech therapy, home health services, and nutritional guidance.

Home Care for the Elderly:
Encourages the provision of care for elders age 60 and older in family type living arrangements in private homes as an alternative to institutional or nursing home care. A basic subsidy is provided monthly for support and maintenance of the elder including some medical costs.

Homemaker:
A person who performs household chores that include housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, shopping assistance, and routine activities for an elderly, handicapped, or convalescent individual.

Home Delivered Meals:
Provision of a home delivered meal which complies with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and provide 1/3 the recommended daily allowance for individuals 51 years or older as established by Food and Nutrition Board of National Academy of Sciences.

Hospice:
A hospice is a program designed to care for the dying and their special needs. Among other services, hospice programs usually include: control of pain; psychosocial support; medical services; interdisciplinary patient care; integration into existing facilities where possible; and specifically trained personnel with expertise in care of the dying and their families.

Hospice Care Team:
A team of qualified professional and volunteers who in consultation with the patient, the patient's family and the patient's primary or attending physician, collectively assess, coordinate and provide the appropriate palliative and supportive care to hospice patients and their families.

In-home Services:
The provision of nursing, personal care, supervision or other services to disabled adults or elderly persons in their own homes.

Intergenerational Initiatives:
Services which bring people of different generations together to help frail elders remain independent and which encourage mutually-rewarding interaction between youth and elders.

Legal Assistance:
Legal advice and representation provided by an attorney (including to the extent feasible, counseling or other appropriate assistance by a paralegal or law student under the supervision of an attorney). Includes counseling or representation by a non-lawyer when permitted by law to older individuals with economic or social needs.

Legal Representative:
A guardian, conservator, survivor or person representative of a recipient or applicant or of the property or estate of a recipient or applicant.

Long Term Care Facility:
A skilled nursing facility, nursing facility, assisted living facility adult family care home, board and care facility or any other similar adult care center.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman:
Volunteer advocates who identify, investigate and resolve complaints that are made on behalf of residents and related to action, inaction or decisions that may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare or rights of residents.

Medicaid:
A joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people with low incomes and limited resources. Medicaid programs vary from state to state, but most health care costs are covered if you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.

Medicaid Waiver:
Provided to older persons and disabled individuals assessed as frail, functionally impaired, and at risk of nursing home placement. Services designated to assist recipients to remain at home are arranged by a case manager based upon a comprehensive assessment of needs. Individuals must meet financial and technical criteria.

Medicare:
The federal health insurance program for: people 65 years of age or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure with dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD).

Medication Management:
Screening, education, identification and counseling regarding the medication regime that individuals are using, including prescription and over the counter medications, vitamins and home remedies. These services also help identify any dietary factors that may interact with the medication regime.

Model Day Care:
Therapeutic, social and health activities specific to clients with memory disorders. Services and activities include but are not limited to active and quiet games, reminiscence, validation therapy, pet therapy, water therapy and other failure free activities appropriate to the client's level of functioning. Model Day Care Centers shall also provide training for health care and social service personnel in the care of persons having Alzheimer's Disease or related memory disorders.

Multipurpose Senior Center:
A community facility for the organization and provision of a broad spectrum of services which shall include health, social, nutritional, and educational services and the provision of facilities for recreational activities for older individuals.

Music Therapy:
The use of musical or rhythmic interventions specifically selected by a music therapist to accomplish the restoration, maintenance, or improvement of social or emotional functioning, mental processing or physical health of an older individual.

Neglect:
The failure or omission on the part of a caregiver of a disabled adult or elderly person to provide the care, supervision, and services necessary to maintain the physical and mental health of the disabled adult or elderly person, including, but not limited to food, clothing, medicine, shelter, supervision and medical services that a prudent person would consider essential for the well-being of a disabled adult or elderly person.

Nursing Home Facility:
Provides 24-hour nursing care, personal care, custodial care and supervision to people who are ill or physically infirmed. Skilled Nursing Facilities are freestanding and not part of a hospital while Skilled Nursing Units are based in hospitals and typically provide short term care and rehabilitation services.

Nutrition Consultant:
A licensed and registered dietician or someone with comparable expertise including a licensed dietician.

Occupational Therapist:
A licensed professional therapist who helps a person relearn activities of daily living. The therapist uses adaptations and devices for the home environment to help the person function more independently.

Older Americans Act:
Established the primary vehicle for organizing and delivering community-based services to persons age 60 and over through a coordinated system at the state agencies on aging.

Older Individual:
An individual who is 60 years of age or older

Organ and Tissue Banks:
Organ and Tissue Banks screen, procure, process, preserve, and distribute organs and tissue for transplantation from cadaver donors. The mission of Organ and Tissue Banks is to ensure all individuals are offered the option of organ and tissue donation and to provide safe high quality organ and tissue products to surgical programs and patients.

Palliative Care:
Services or interventions which are not curative but are provided for the reduction of abatement of pain and human suffering.

Personal Care Services:
Assistance with eating, dressing, personal hygiene, and other activities of daily living. Service may include assistance with meal preparation, housekeeping chores such as bed making, dusting and vacuuming incidental to the care furnished or essential to the health and welfare of the individual. Personal care services does not include medical services.

Personal Emergency Response System:
Equipment that monitors the safety of older people in their homes through the signals electronically transmitted over the telephone and received at an emergency-monitoring center.

Physical Restraint:
A device which physically limits, restricts or deprives an individual of movement or mobility, including but not limited to a half bed rail, a full-bed rail, a geriatric chair and a posey restraint.

Physical Therapist:
A licensed professional who is trained to restore functioning in the legs, hands, feet, back, and neck. The therapist treats the resident through exercise, massage, hydrotherapy, or mechanical devises to improve physical mobility.

Power of Attorney:
Exists when one person, the principal, gives someone else, the attorney in fact or agent written authority to do some specified act(s) in the principal's name. The document should state who the principal is, who the attorney in fact is and it should describe with particularity what powers are given to the attorney in fact.

Public Guardianship:
Provides services to meet the needs of the most vulnerable persons who lack the capacity to make decisions on their own behalf and in their own best interest. Guardians protect the property and personal rights of incapacitate individuals.

Recreation:
Participation in or attendance at planned leisure events such as games, sports, arts and crafts, theater, trips and other relaxing social activities.

RELIEF:
Respite for Elder Living in Everyday Families is a project where volunteers provide in-home respite as an expansion of services available through other programs. RELIEF provide family caregivers evening and weekend respite, increasing their ability to continue caring for a homebound elder without becoming ill themselves.

Resident:
A person 18 year of age or older residing in and receiving care from a facility.

Respite:
Relief or rest for a primary caregiver from the constant/continued supervision, companionship, therapeutic and/or personal care of a functionally impaired older person for a specified period of time.

Senior Companions:
Volunteers, aged 60 and older who received a small stipend for the services they provide. Senior Companion volunteers provide such services as respite, escorted transportation to medical appointment, shopping assistance, homemaking services and companionship to frail elders who would be at risk of institutionalization without community assistance.

SHINE:
Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders is a statewide program offering free health insurance information and counseling to elders and their families.

Speech and Language Pathologist:
A licensed professional who applies the principles, methods and procedures of the prevention, identification, evaluation, treatment, consultation, habilitation, rehabilitation instruction and research relative to the development and disorders of human communication.

State Units on Aging (SUA):
Established by the Older Americans Act of 1965, State Units on Aging are agencies of state governments designated by the governor and the state legislature as focal points for all matters relating to the needs of older people within the state. The State Units on Aging are responsible for planning, coordinating, funding, and evaluating programs for older persons authorized by both federal and state governments. The goal of the State Units on Aging is to improve the quality of life for older Americans by advocating on their behalf, and by promoting the development of a comprehensive and coordinated system of social and health services.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI):
SSI pays monthly cash benefits to individuals who have both limited income and limited resources. The Social Security Administration administers this federal program. If eligible, individuals may receive both SSI and Social Security benefits. And, in most states, a person who receives SSI benefits is automatically eligible for health benefits under Medicaid.

Supportive Services:
Services designed to encourage and assist aged persons or adults with disabilities to remain in the least restrictive living environment and to maintain their independence as long as possible.

Telephone Reassurance:
Communicating with designated clients by telephone on a mutually agreed schedule to determine their safety and to provide psychological reassurance or to implement special or emergency assistance.

Transportation:
Travel to or from community services and resources, health and medical care, shopping, social activities or other life sustaining activities.

Florida Department of Elder Affairs
4040 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee, FL 32399-7000
Tel: 850-414-2000
Email: information@elderaffairs.org