What Do We Mean By…..

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) – everyday tasks related to personal care usually performed for oneself in the course of a normal day, including bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, walking, taking medications, and other personal care activities.

Care Recipient – an adult with a chronic illness or disabling condition or  an older person who needs ongoing assistance with everyday tasks to  function on a daily basis. The person needing assistance may also require  primary and acute medical care or rehabilitation services (occupational, speech and physical therapies).

Caregiver Assessment –  a systematic process of gathering information that describes a caregiving situation and identifies the particular problems, needs, resources and strengths of the family caregiver.  It approaches issues from the caregiver’s perspective and culture, focuses on what assistance the caregiver may need and the outcomes the family member wants for support, and seeks to maintain the caregiver’s own health and well-being.

Caregiver Reassessment – a follow-up interview with the caregiver on a regularly scheduled basis or as needed.

Consumer Direction – a descriptor of service delivery that allows choice and control for people who use services or other supports to help with daily activities.

Family (Informal) Caregiver – any relative, partner, friend or neighbor who has a significant personal relationship with, and provides a broad range of assistance for, an older person or an adult with a chronic or disabling condition.  These individuals may be primary or secondary caregivers and live with, or separately from, the person receiving care.

Formal Caregiver – a provider associated with a formal service system, whether a paid worker or a volunteer.

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) – a variety of supportive services delivered in community settings or in a person’s home. These services are designed to help older persons and adults with disabilities remain living at home. Examples of HCBS include personal care with bathing, chore assistance, adult day services, transportation to medical appointments, and home-delivered meals.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) – activities related to independent living, such as preparing meals, managing money, shopping for groceries or personal items, performing light or heavy housework, and using a telephone.

Long-Term Care (LTC) – a combination of medical, nursing, custodial, social, and community services designed to help people who have disabilities or chronic care needs, including dementia. Services may be provided in the person’s home, in the community, in assisted living facilities or in nursing homes.

National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) – a federal program created by Congress in the 2000 Amendments to the Older Americans Act to recognize the complexities of caring for family members, loved ones and friends. Under the NFCSP, the states use federal funds to offer direct support services to family caregivers of persons age 60 and older, including information to caregivers about available services; assistance to caregivers in gaining access to supportive services; individual counseling, support groups and caregiver training; respite care; and supplemental services (e.g., emergency response systems, home modifications).

Respite Care – provision of short-term relief (respite) from the tasks associated with caregiving. Respite services encompass traditional home-based care, such as hiring an attendant, as well as care provided to the care recipient in out-of-home care settings, such as adult day services and short-term stays in a nursing home or other care facility. Respite can vary in time from part of a day to several weeks.

Screening – a short rapid review with caregivers that identifies those at risk, leading to an opportunity for a full assessment for those wishing to proceed.

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