Definitions: A

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AARP (American Association of Retired Persons)
A nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for those aged 50 and older. AARP provides information, benefits, advocacy and services for its members.
Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
Basic self-care functions including bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, eating, and transferring in and out of beds and chairs.
Activities of Daily Living Assessment
An assessment of an individual's physical and cognitive functions to determine if he or she can still complete activities of daily living. Assessments are performed by geriatric case managers, social workers or other similar types of professionals.
Acute care
Any treatment to diagnose, prevent, or cure an illness or to provide primary care. Treatments can be provided in an outpatient or inpatient setting.
Adaptive/Assistive Equipment
An appliance or device which assists an individual in caring for themselves or performing work or leisure activities.
Administration on Aging (AoA)
The federal agency that administers the Older Americans Act. It provides resources and education to older Americans and their caregivers.
Adult Day Health Care
A type of adult day service that offers comprehensive health services in addition to social and support services. Typical facilities will provide on-site nurses, therapists, social workers and other health professionals.
Adult Day Services
Also known as adult day care or respite care, adult day services are community-based group programs designed to meet the needs of functionally and/or cognitively impaired adults. These facilities offer programs that provide a mixture of health, social and support service for older adults for periods less than 24 hours.
Advance Directive
A legal document, also referred to as a medical directive, that documents an individual's preferences regarding the manner in which they would like to receive health care, in the event they can no longer communicate such wishes directly. Living Wills, Health Care Powers of Attorney and Health Care Proxy are examples.
Age Restricted Communities
A housing area or development, often gated, that restricts ownership and residency to individuals who are over a set age. These communities are set up to accommodate older adults.
Aging in Place
A concept that advocates for allowing an individual to remain in his/her home and the community regardless of cognitive or functional impairments.
Alzheimer's Disease
A progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys mental functions such as memory and learning. Individuals may also experience changes in personality and behavior.
Alzheimer's Facilities
Licensed facilities or special care units within a larger facility that provide intermediate nursing care, medical, nursing and rehabilitation care for those diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease or other dementias in a safe and controlled environment.
Ambulatory
The ability to walk freely and independently.
Ambulatory Aids
Devices that help individuals move safely and independently. These include walkers, crutches, canes, scooters and wheelchairs.
Ambulatory Care
Health services that are provided in an outpatient setting and do not require an overnight hospital stay.
Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
A local agency that administers government funded programs for older adults.
Assisted Living Facilities
Residential housing that maximizes an individual's ability to live independently and provides a lower level of assistance than that at a skilled nursing facility. Services include 24-hour on-call assistance and help with personal and home care such as bathing, dressing, meals, and housekeeping. Some of these facilities do provide specific Alzheimer's Disease services. Medicare does not generally cover care in these facilities.
Audiologist
A health professional who specializes in hearing measurement and hearing loss or impairment correction.