- Advance directive
- 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.
- Medicare
- Federal health insurance for people 65+ and certain younger people with disabilities or ESRD, based on age and work history — not income.
- Medicaid
- A joint federal-state health program for people with low income and limited assets; the primary payer of long-term nursing care.
- Durable power of attorney
- A document naming an agent to act for a person that remains effective even if the person becomes incapacitated.
- Polypharmacy
- 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.
- Gerontology
- The multidisciplinary study of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging.
- Geriatrics
- The branch of medicine focused on the health and care of older adults.
- Ageism
- Stereotyping, prejudice, or discrimination against people because of their age — most often older adults.
- Life expectancy
- The average number of years a person is expected to live, based on year of birth and other factors.
- Lifespan
- The maximum number of years a member of a species can possibly live.
- Ego integrity vs. despair
- Erikson's eighth psychosocial stage: in late life a person accepts their life as meaningful (integrity, yielding wisdom) or feels regret (despair).
- Activity theory
- A theory of aging holding that staying active and socially engaged supports well-being and life satisfaction in later life.
- Continuity theory
- A theory that older adults maintain well-being by preserving familiar roles, activities, and relationships.
- Disengagement theory
- An older, now largely rejected theory that aging involves a mutual withdrawal between the individual and society.
- Ethnocentrism
- The belief that one's own culture or ethnic group is superior to others, leading people to judge others by their own standards.
- Cultural competence
- The ability to understand, respect, and work effectively with people across cultures — essential when serving a diverse aging population.
- Cultural pluralism
- A society in which many distinct cultures live alongside one another while retaining their identities.
- Oldest old
- Adults aged 85 and older — the fastest-growing age group, with the highest needs for care and support.
- Senescence
- The natural biological process of aging and gradual deterioration of bodily function over time.
- Successful aging
- Aging marked by low disease and disability, high cognitive and physical function, and active engagement with life.
- Dementia
- An umbrella term for a decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning severe enough to interfere with daily life — not a normal part of aging.
- Alzheimer's disease
- The most common cause of dementia; a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys memory and thinking.
- Delirium
- A sudden, often reversible state of confusion, frequently caused by infection (e.g., a UTI), medication, or illness — distinct from dementia.
- Mild cognitive impairment
- Memory or thinking problems greater than normal aging but not severe enough to be dementia.
- Vascular dementia
- Dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often after strokes; the second most common type after Alzheimer's.
- Osteoporosis
- A disease of weakened, porous bone that increases fracture risk, common in aging adults, especially postmenopausal women.
- Sarcopenia
- The age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, contributing to weakness, falls, and frailty.
- Chronic disease
- A long-lasting condition (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, arthritis) that can usually be controlled but not cured.
- Comorbidity
- The presence of two or more chronic conditions in the same person at the same time — common in older adults.
- Falls (in older adults)
- The leading cause of injury and injury death in adults 65+; most result from a mix of reducible risk factors.
- Frailty
- A state of increased vulnerability from declining strength, endurance, and physiologic reserve, raising the risk of poor outcomes.
- Presbycusis
- Age-related hearing loss, typically gradual and affecting high-pitched sounds first.
- Presbyopia
- Age-related farsightedness from the lens losing flexibility, making near focus difficult.
- Geriatric depression
- Depression in older adults; it is NOT a normal part of aging and should be screened for and treated.
- Medication review
- A periodic check of all of a person's medications (including deprescribing) to reduce harmful interactions, side effects, and polypharmacy.
- Incontinence
- Loss of bladder or bowel control; common but not a normal, untreatable part of aging — often manageable.
- Preventive care for seniors
- Screenings, vaccinations (flu, pneumonia, shingles), and lifestyle measures that detect or prevent disease early.
- Activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Basic self-care tasks: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and eating — a core measure of independence.
- Instrumental ADLs (IADLs)
- More complex independent-living tasks: managing money and medications, shopping, cooking, housework, and transportation.
- Aging in place
- Living safely and independently in one's own home and community for as long as possible.
- Universal design
- Designing homes and products to be usable by people of all ages and abilities (no-step entries, lever handles, grab bars).
- Home modification
- Changes to a residence (grab bars, ramps, better lighting, removing rugs) that improve safety and reduce fall risk.
- Social isolation
- Having few social contacts or relationships — a serious health risk in older adults, comparable to smoking.
- Loneliness
- The distressing feeling of being alone or disconnected, linked to depression, cognitive decline, and worse health.
- Senior center
- A community hub offering meals, activities, exercise, and social connection for older adults.
- Adult day services
- Daytime community-based programs providing supervision, activities, and care so seniors can stay at home and caregivers can work.
- Functional fitness for seniors
- Exercise that builds strength, balance, and flexibility to support daily activities and prevent falls.
- Driving cessation
- Giving up driving with age; a major life transition that can trigger isolation if alternative transportation isn't arranged.
- Pet ownership in aging
- Pets can boost activity, reduce loneliness, and improve well-being — weighed against the senior's physical ability to care for them.
- Spirituality and aging
- Faith, meaning, and community that support coping, purpose, and well-being in later life.
- Original Medicare
- Medicare Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) — the traditional fee-for-service program.
- Medicare Part A
- Hospital insurance covering inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, hospice, and some home health; usually premium-free.
- Medicare Part B
- Medical insurance covering doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment; carries a monthly premium.
- Medicare Advantage (Part C)
- A private-plan alternative to Original Medicare bundling Parts A and B (usually with D), often with a network and extra benefits.
- Medicare Part D
- Optional outpatient prescription-drug coverage sold by private plans, with a formulary.
- Medigap
- A Medicare Supplement policy that helps pay Original Medicare's deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
- Coverage gap (donut hole)
- A temporary limit in Medicare Part D drug coverage after which the enrollee pays more out of pocket.
- Dual eligible
- A person who qualifies for both Medicare and Medicaid.
- Long-term care
- Help with personal care and daily activities over an extended time for people who can no longer fully care for themselves.
- Long-term care insurance
- Private insurance that helps pay for long-term care services that Medicare generally does not cover.
- Medicaid spend-down
- Reducing assets/income to qualify for Medicaid long-term-care coverage, subject to income and asset limits.
- Full retirement age
- The age (67 for those born in 1960 or later) at which a worker receives 100% of their Social Security retirement benefit.
- Social Security retirement benefit
- Monthly income based on lifetime earnings; claimable at 62 (reduced), at full retirement age (full), or up to 70 (increased).
- Delayed retirement credits
- Increases to a Social Security benefit earned by delaying claiming past full retirement age, up to age 70.
- Required minimum distribution (RMD)
- The minimum amount that must be withdrawn each year from most tax-deferred retirement accounts starting at a set age.
- Annuity
- A financial product, often from an insurer, that can provide a guaranteed income stream, sometimes for life.
- Reverse mortgage (HECM)
- 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.
- Liquidity
- How easily an asset can be converted to cash without loss; important so seniors can cover unexpected costs.
- Fixed-income securities
- Investments like bonds and CDs that pay steady income; their prices fall when interest rates rise.
- Certificate of deposit (CD)
- A low-risk bank deposit with a fixed term and rate; early withdrawal usually incurs a penalty.
- Estate planning
- Arranging in advance for the management and distribution of a person's assets during life and after death.
- Last will and testament
- A legal document directing how a person's assets are distributed after death and naming an executor.
- Trust
- A legal arrangement where a trustee holds and manages assets for beneficiaries; can avoid probate and manage assets in incapacity.
- Probate
- The court process of validating a will and distributing a deceased person's estate.
- Beneficiary designation
- Naming who receives an account or policy at death; it passes outside the will, so it must be kept current.
- Comprehensive geriatric assessment
- A multidimensional, interdisciplinary evaluation of an older adult's medical, functional, psychological, and social status.
- Person-centered care
- Care planned around the older adult's own goals, values, and preferences rather than only their diagnoses.
- Geriatric care manager
- A professional (often a nurse or social worker) who assesses, plans, coordinates, and monitors care for an older adult.
- Care planning cycle
- The repeating process of assessment, care planning, implementation and coordination of services, then ongoing monitoring and revision.
- Continuum of care
- The range of settings from independent living through home services, assisted living, skilled nursing, and hospice.
- Assisted living
- Housing that provides help with activities of daily living without 24-hour skilled nursing.
- Skilled nursing facility
- A facility providing 24-hour licensed nursing care and rehabilitation (commonly called a nursing home).
- Memory care
- A secured assisted-living setting designed for people with dementia, with specialized staffing and programming.
- Continuing care retirement community (CCRC)
- A community offering a continuum from independent living through assisted living and skilled nursing on one campus.
- Home- and community-based services
- In-home and local supports (chore help, meals, personal care, day programs) that let seniors remain at home.
- Eldercare Locator
- A free national service (1-800-677-1116) connecting older adults and families to local aging and disability resources.
- Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
- A local agency, created under the Older Americans Act, that plans and coordinates services for older adults in its region.
- Older Americans Act
- The federal law that funds and organizes the nationwide aging-services network, including AAAs and the Ombudsman program.
- SHIP
- The State Health Insurance Assistance Program, offering free, unbiased one-on-one counseling about Medicare.
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- An advocate who investigates and resolves complaints on behalf of residents in long-term care facilities.
- Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
- A 'No Wrong Door' single access point that helps people find aging and disability services.
- PACE
- The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly — coordinated medical and social services that help frail seniors stay in the community.
- Springing power of attorney
- A power of attorney that takes effect only upon a specified event, usually the principal's incapacity.
- Guardianship (conservatorship)
- A court-ordered arrangement giving someone authority to make decisions for an adult who cannot; a last resort that removes rights.
- Substituted judgment
- Making a decision for an incapacitated person based on what that person would have chosen, if known.
- Best-interest standard
- Making a decision for someone who can't decide based on what is objectively best for them, when their wishes are unknown.
- Capacity
- A person's ability to understand information and the consequences of a decision; required to make valid legal and medical choices.
- Fiduciary
- A person legally and ethically bound to act in another's best interest (e.g., an agent under a power of attorney).
- Principal (in a power of attorney)
- The person who grants authority to an agent to act on their behalf.
- Agent / attorney-in-fact
- The person authorized by a power of attorney to act for the principal.
- Age discrimination (in employment)
- Treating workers unfavorably because of age; the U.S. ADEA protects workers age 40 and older.
- Elder law
- The field of law addressing the legal needs of older adults: estate planning, capacity, guardianship, long-term-care, and protection.
- Living will
- An advance directive stating which life-sustaining treatments a person does or does not want.
- Health-care power of attorney
- A document naming a proxy to make medical decisions when a person is incapacitated (a health-care proxy).
- DNR order
- A 'do not resuscitate' physician order directing that CPR not be performed.
- DNI order
- A 'do not intubate' physician order directing that a breathing tube not be placed.
- POLST
- Portable physician orders for the seriously ill (Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) that follow the patient across care settings.
- Hospice
- Comfort-focused care for people near the end of life (generally a prognosis of six months or less) who have stopped curative treatment.
- Palliative care
- Specialized care to relieve symptoms and stress of a serious illness, given at any stage alongside other treatment.
- Medicare hospice benefit
- Medicare coverage of hospice care, at home or in a facility, for terminally ill beneficiaries who qualify.
- Ethical will
- A non-legal document passing on a person's values, beliefs, and life lessons to family.
- Health-care proxy
- The agent named in a health-care power of attorney to make medical decisions when the person cannot.
- Anticipatory grief
- Grief experienced before an expected loss, common among families of a terminally ill loved one.
- Advance care planning
- The ongoing process of discussing and documenting a person's values and wishes for future medical care.
- Family caregiver
- An unpaid relative or close friend who provides ongoing assistance to an older or disabled person.
- Caregiver burden
- The physical, emotional, social, and financial strain experienced by family members caring for an aging loved one.
- Caregiver burnout
- Physical and emotional exhaustion from prolonged caregiving stress; can harm both the caregiver and the care recipient.
- Respite care
- Temporary relief care that lets a primary caregiver rest.
- Sandwich generation
- Adults caring simultaneously for their own children and their aging parents.
- Filial responsibility
- A sense of obligation that adult children feel to care for their aging parents.
- Skipped-generation household
- A home where grandparents raise grandchildren without the middle generation present.
- SBAR
- A standardized communication format — Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation — used to hand off information safely.
- Autonomy
- The right of a competent person to make their own informed decisions about their life, care, and money.
- Beneficence
- The ethical duty to act in the client's best interest and promote their well-being.
- Non-maleficence
- The ethical duty to do no harm.
- Justice (ethics)
- The ethical duty to treat people fairly and distribute benefits and burdens equitably.
- Confidentiality
- The duty to protect a client's private information and disclose it only with consent or where required by law.
- Conflict of interest
- A situation where personal or financial interests could improperly influence professional judgment; it must be disclosed in writing.
- Elder abuse
- An intentional act, or failure to act, by a trusted person that harms or risks harming an older adult.
- Financial exploitation
- The illegal or improper use of an older adult's money, property, or assets — the fastest-growing form of elder abuse.
- Neglect (elder)
- The failure of a caregiver to meet an older adult's basic needs for food, shelter, hygiene, medical care, or safety.
- Self-neglect
- When an older adult fails to meet their own basic needs, endangering health or safety.
- Adult Protective Services (APS)
- The state agency that investigates reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
- Mandatory reporter
- A person legally required to report suspected abuse or exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
- Informed consent
- A person's voluntary agreement to a service or treatment after being told the risks, benefits, and alternatives.
- Scope of practice
- The limits of what a professional is qualified and authorized to do; outside it, the ethical move is to refer to a licensed expert.
