Your FREE CSA Flashcards 2026 – 100+ Cards

The multidisciplinary study of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging.

The branch of medicine focused on the health and care of older adults.

Stereotyping, prejudice, or discrimination against people because of their age — most often older adults.

The average number of years a person is expected to live, based on year of birth and other factors.

The maximum number of years a member of a species can possibly live.

Erikson's eighth psychosocial stage: in late life a person accepts their life as meaningful (integrity, yielding wisdom) or feels regret (despair).

A theory of aging holding that staying active and socially engaged supports well-being and life satisfaction in later life.

A theory that older adults maintain well-being by preserving familiar roles, activities, and relationships.

An older, now largely rejected theory that aging involves a mutual withdrawal between the individual and society.

The belief that one's own culture or ethnic group is superior to others, leading people to judge others by their own standards.

The ability to understand, respect, and work effectively with people across cultures — essential when serving a diverse aging population.

A society in which many distinct cultures live alongside one another while retaining their identities.

Adults aged 85 and older — the fastest-growing age group, with the highest needs for care and support.

The natural biological process of aging and gradual deterioration of bodily function over time.

Aging marked by low disease and disability, high cognitive and physical function, and active engagement with life.

The use of multiple medications by one person (often five or more), raising the risk of interactions, side effects, falls, and confusion in older adults.

An umbrella term for a decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning severe enough to interfere with daily life — not a normal part of aging.

The most common cause of dementia; a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys memory and thinking.

A sudden, often reversible state of confusion, frequently caused by infection (e.g., a UTI), medication, or illness — distinct from dementia.

Memory or thinking problems greater than normal aging but not severe enough to be dementia.

Dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often after strokes; the second most common type after Alzheimer's.

A disease of weakened, porous bone that increases fracture risk, common in aging adults, especially postmenopausal women.

The age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, contributing to weakness, falls, and frailty.

A long-lasting condition (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, arthritis) that can usually be controlled but not cured.

The presence of two or more chronic conditions in the same person at the same time — common in older adults.

The leading cause of injury and injury death in adults 65+; most result from a mix of reducible risk factors.

A state of increased vulnerability from declining strength, endurance, and physiologic reserve, raising the risk of poor outcomes.

Age-related hearing loss, typically gradual and affecting high-pitched sounds first.

Age-related farsightedness from the lens losing flexibility, making near focus difficult.

Depression in older adults; it is NOT a normal part of aging and should be screened for and treated.

A periodic check of all of a person's medications (including deprescribing) to reduce harmful interactions, side effects, and polypharmacy.

Loss of bladder or bowel control; common but not a normal, untreatable part of aging — often manageable.

Screenings, vaccinations (flu, pneumonia, shingles), and lifestyle measures that detect or prevent disease early.

Basic self-care tasks: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and eating — a core measure of independence.

More complex independent-living tasks: managing money and medications, shopping, cooking, housework, and transportation.

Living safely and independently in one's own home and community for as long as possible.

Designing homes and products to be usable by people of all ages and abilities (no-step entries, lever handles, grab bars).

Changes to a residence (grab bars, ramps, better lighting, removing rugs) that improve safety and reduce fall risk.

Having few social contacts or relationships — a serious health risk in older adults, comparable to smoking.

The distressing feeling of being alone or disconnected, linked to depression, cognitive decline, and worse health.

A community hub offering meals, activities, exercise, and social connection for older adults.

Daytime community-based programs providing supervision, activities, and care so seniors can stay at home and caregivers can work.

Exercise that builds strength, balance, and flexibility to support daily activities and prevent falls.

Giving up driving with age; a major life transition that can trigger isolation if alternative transportation isn't arranged.

Pets can boost activity, reduce loneliness, and improve well-being — weighed against the senior's physical ability to care for them.

Faith, meaning, and community that support coping, purpose, and well-being in later life.

Federal health insurance for people 65+ and certain younger people with disabilities or ESRD, based on age and work history — not income.

A joint federal-state health program for people with low income and limited assets; the primary payer of long-term nursing care.

Medicare Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) — the traditional fee-for-service program.

Hospital insurance covering inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, hospice, and some home health; usually premium-free.

Medical insurance covering doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment; carries a monthly premium.

A private-plan alternative to Original Medicare bundling Parts A and B (usually with D), often with a network and extra benefits.

Optional outpatient prescription-drug coverage sold by private plans, with a formulary.

A Medicare Supplement policy that helps pay Original Medicare's deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

A temporary limit in Medicare Part D drug coverage after which the enrollee pays more out of pocket.

A person who qualifies for both Medicare and Medicaid.

Help with personal care and daily activities over an extended time for people who can no longer fully care for themselves.

Private insurance that helps pay for long-term care services that Medicare generally does not cover.

Reducing assets/income to qualify for Medicaid long-term-care coverage, subject to income and asset limits.

The age (67 for those born in 1960 or later) at which a worker receives 100% of their Social Security retirement benefit.

Monthly income based on lifetime earnings; claimable at 62 (reduced), at full retirement age (full), or up to 70 (increased).

Increases to a Social Security benefit earned by delaying claiming past full retirement age, up to age 70.

The minimum amount that must be withdrawn each year from most tax-deferred retirement accounts starting at a set age.

A financial product, often from an insurer, that can provide a guaranteed income stream, sometimes for life.

A loan letting homeowners 62+ convert home equity into cash, repaid when they sell, move out, or die; the borrower must keep paying taxes, insurance, and upkeep.

How easily an asset can be converted to cash without loss; important so seniors can cover unexpected costs.

Investments like bonds and CDs that pay steady income; their prices fall when interest rates rise.

A low-risk bank deposit with a fixed term and rate; early withdrawal usually incurs a penalty.

Arranging in advance for the management and distribution of a person's assets during life and after death.

A legal document directing how a person's assets are distributed after death and naming an executor.

A legal arrangement where a trustee holds and manages assets for beneficiaries; can avoid probate and manage assets in incapacity.

The court process of validating a will and distributing a deceased person's estate.

Naming who receives an account or policy at death; it passes outside the will, so it must be kept current.

A multidimensional, interdisciplinary evaluation of an older adult's medical, functional, psychological, and social status.

Care planned around the older adult's own goals, values, and preferences rather than only their diagnoses.

A professional (often a nurse or social worker) who assesses, plans, coordinates, and monitors care for an older adult.

The repeating process of assessment, care planning, implementation and coordination of services, then ongoing monitoring and revision.

The range of settings from independent living through home services, assisted living, skilled nursing, and hospice.

Housing that provides help with activities of daily living without 24-hour skilled nursing.

A facility providing 24-hour licensed nursing care and rehabilitation (commonly called a nursing home).

A secured assisted-living setting designed for people with dementia, with specialized staffing and programming.

A community offering a continuum from independent living through assisted living and skilled nursing on one campus.

In-home and local supports (chore help, meals, personal care, day programs) that let seniors remain at home.

A free national service (1-800-677-1116) connecting older adults and families to local aging and disability resources.

A local agency, created under the Older Americans Act, that plans and coordinates services for older adults in its region.

The federal law that funds and organizes the nationwide aging-services network, including AAAs and the Ombudsman program.

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program, offering free, unbiased one-on-one counseling about Medicare.

An advocate who investigates and resolves complaints on behalf of residents in long-term care facilities.

A 'No Wrong Door' single access point that helps people find aging and disability services.

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly — coordinated medical and social services that help frail seniors stay in the community.

A document naming an agent to act for a person that remains effective even if the person becomes incapacitated.

A power of attorney that takes effect only upon a specified event, usually the principal's incapacity.

A court-ordered arrangement giving someone authority to make decisions for an adult who cannot; a last resort that removes rights.

Making a decision for an incapacitated person based on what that person would have chosen, if known.

Making a decision for someone who can't decide based on what is objectively best for them, when their wishes are unknown.

A person's ability to understand information and the consequences of a decision; required to make valid legal and medical choices.

A person legally and ethically bound to act in another's best interest (e.g., an agent under a power of attorney).

The person who grants authority to an agent to act on their behalf.

The person authorized by a power of attorney to act for the principal.

Treating workers unfavorably because of age; the U.S. ADEA protects workers age 40 and older.

The field of law addressing the legal needs of older adults: estate planning, capacity, guardianship, long-term-care, and protection.

A legal document recording a person's wishes for medical care if they cannot speak for themselves; typically a living will plus a health-care power of attorney.

An advance directive stating which life-sustaining treatments a person does or does not want.

A document naming a proxy to make medical decisions when a person is incapacitated (a health-care proxy).

A 'do not resuscitate' physician order directing that CPR not be performed.

A 'do not intubate' physician order directing that a breathing tube not be placed.

Portable physician orders for the seriously ill (Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) that follow the patient across care settings.

Comfort-focused care for people near the end of life (generally a prognosis of six months or less) who have stopped curative treatment.

Specialized care to relieve symptoms and stress of a serious illness, given at any stage alongside other treatment.

Medicare coverage of hospice care, at home or in a facility, for terminally ill beneficiaries who qualify.

A non-legal document passing on a person's values, beliefs, and life lessons to family.

The agent named in a health-care power of attorney to make medical decisions when the person cannot.

Grief experienced before an expected loss, common among families of a terminally ill loved one.

The ongoing process of discussing and documenting a person's values and wishes for future medical care.

An unpaid relative or close friend who provides ongoing assistance to an older or disabled person.

The physical, emotional, social, and financial strain experienced by family members caring for an aging loved one.

Physical and emotional exhaustion from prolonged caregiving stress; can harm both the caregiver and the care recipient.

Temporary relief care that lets a primary caregiver rest.

Adults caring simultaneously for their own children and their aging parents.

A sense of obligation that adult children feel to care for their aging parents.

A home where grandparents raise grandchildren without the middle generation present.

A standardized communication format — Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation — used to hand off information safely.

The right of a competent person to make their own informed decisions about their life, care, and money.

The ethical duty to act in the client's best interest and promote their well-being.

The ethical duty to do no harm.

The ethical duty to treat people fairly and distribute benefits and burdens equitably.

The duty to protect a client's private information and disclose it only with consent or where required by law.

A situation where personal or financial interests could improperly influence professional judgment; it must be disclosed in writing.

An intentional act, or failure to act, by a trusted person that harms or risks harming an older adult.

The illegal or improper use of an older adult's money, property, or assets — the fastest-growing form of elder abuse.

The failure of a caregiver to meet an older adult's basic needs for food, shelter, hygiene, medical care, or safety.

When an older adult fails to meet their own basic needs, endangering health or safety.

The state agency that investigates reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.

A person legally required to report suspected abuse or exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

A person's voluntary agreement to a service or treatment after being told the risks, benefits, and alternatives.

The limits of what a professional is qualified and authorized to do; outside it, the ethical move is to refer to a licensed expert.