Eldercare & Caregiving Glossary
A structured, alphabetically organized reference of eldercare and caregiving terminology — covering clinical terms (ADLs, IADLs, BPSD, PERS, SNF, hospice, palliative care), legal and financial terms (POA, DPAHC, Medicaid spend-down), credential terms (CAPS, home health aide, companion care), and insurance terms (Medicare Part A/B/C/D, Medicare Advantage, DME). Each entry is a short, plain-language definition with cross-links to relevant guide content. Functions as a standalone reference for new caregivers encountering unfamiliar terminology and as a trust-building anchor for the broader site. Does not duplicate full guide content; definitions are concise and link outward to deeper content. Maintained as a living reference with regular additions as new terms appear in site content.
Use this glossary when you encounter an unfamiliar term while reading a guide. Each entry links back to the guides where the term is used in context. Browse alphabetically or by term category below.
Browse by Term Category
clinical
- ADL (Activities of Daily Living): What the Assessment Means for Older Adults and Family Caregivers (ADL)
A plain-language reference explaining what activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activi…
- ADL and IADL Decline Timeline: What Family Caregivers Should Expect (ADL, IADL)
Understand how functional decline typically progresses in dementia and frailty — from early loss of …
- Hospice and Palliative Care Glossary: Key Terms for Family Caregivers (IDT, IDG, GIP, POLST, MOLST, DNR, AND, DPAHC, POC, RN, POA)
A thematically organized, plain-language reference of 40-plus hospice and palliative care terms — gr…
insurance
- DME (Durable Medical Equipment): What It Means, What Medicare Covers, and What Surprises Families (DME)
DME — Durable Medical Equipment — is the Medicare regulatory term for home-use medical equipment lik…
- Medicare Definition for Caregivers: What Parts A, B, C, and D Actually Cover (Medicare Parts A, B, C, D)
A plain-language, part-by-part reference for adult children navigating Medicare on behalf of an agin…
- SNF Medicare Coverage Glossary: 25+ Key Terms for Family Caregivers (2026) (SNF)
A plain-language glossary of 25–30 essential SNF (skilled nursing facility) Medicare terms for crisi…
- Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF): What It Is and When Medicare Covers It (SNF)
A skilled nursing facility (SNF) is a Medicare-certified setting for short-term post-hospital skille…
legal-financial
- Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care vs. Health Care Proxy: Key Terms Explained for Family Caregivers (DPOA)
Confused about the difference between a durable power of attorney for health care and a health care …
- Power of Attorney for Elderly Parents: Types Defined and What Caregivers Need to Know (POA)
A plain-language glossary reference covering all five types of Power of Attorney relevant to elderca…
technology
- PERS (Personal Emergency Response System): Definition, How It Works, and Coverage (PERS)
A plain-language reference entry explaining what PERS means, why clinical and policy documents use t…
All Terms (A–Z)
A
- ADL (Activities of Daily Living): What the Assessment Means for Older Adults and Family Caregivers (ADL)clinical
A plain-language reference explaining what activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living…
- ADL and IADL Decline Timeline: What Family Caregivers Should Expect (ADL, IADL)clinical
Understand how functional decline typically progresses in dementia and frailty — from early loss of IADLs to gradual ADL…
D
- DME (Durable Medical Equipment): What It Means, What Medicare Covers, and What Surprises Families (DME)insurance
DME — Durable Medical Equipment — is the Medicare regulatory term for home-use medical equipment like walkers, wheelchai…
- Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care vs. Health Care Proxy: Key Terms Explained for Family Caregivers (DPOA)legal-financial
Confused about the difference between a durable power of attorney for health care and a health care proxy? This glossary…
H
- Hospice and Palliative Care Glossary: Key Terms for Family Caregivers (IDT, IDG, GIP, POLST, MOLST, DNR, AND, DPAHC, POC, RN, POA)clinical
A thematically organized, plain-language reference of 40-plus hospice and palliative care terms — grouped by the decisio…
M
- Medicare Definition for Caregivers: What Parts A, B, C, and D Actually Cover (Medicare Parts A, B, C, D)insurance
A plain-language, part-by-part reference for adult children navigating Medicare on behalf of an aging parent — covering …
P
- PERS (Personal Emergency Response System): Definition, How It Works, and Coverage (PERS)technology
A plain-language reference entry explaining what PERS means, why clinical and policy documents use this term instead of …
- Power of Attorney for Elderly Parents: Types Defined and What Caregivers Need to Know (POA)legal-financial
A plain-language glossary reference covering all five types of Power of Attorney relevant to eldercare — durable, health…
S
- Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF): What It Is and When Medicare Covers It (SNF)insurance
A skilled nursing facility (SNF) is a Medicare-certified setting for short-term post-hospital skilled nursing and rehabi…
- SNF Medicare Coverage Glossary: 25+ Key Terms for Family Caregivers (2026) (SNF)insurance
A plain-language glossary of 25–30 essential SNF (skilled nursing facility) Medicare terms for crisis-mode caregivers. E…