Glossary of Terms

Every field comes with its own language, and the world of retirement is no exception. We have compiled a brief glossary to help you sort through the jargon. If you would like additional information email your request or contact the Clark Marketing and Admissions staff at (616) 452-1568 extension 107 or toll free at 800-770-1117.

Activities of Daily Living (ADOL)
Tasks that you perform as part of your daily routine such as managing medicines, housekeeping chores, meals, dressing and personal hygiene. As you get older, you may find it difficult to accomplish these.

Assisted Living (AL)
Programs that enable residents to stay as safely independent as possible by offering help with activities of daily living. Services and pricing can vary widely from program to program.

Benevolent Care
Funds used to pay for the care of residents whose financial resources have been depleted. Not all organizations have benevolent care programs; some require residents to be at a specific living level; and others make benevolent care available in any stage of the continuum.

Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)
Organization that offers multiple residential options and services, so that you can stay in one community even if your needs change. Movement can be up and down the continuum. Residential options include independent living and assisted living programs as well as skilled nursing. Services range from meals and housekeeping to recreational programs and emergency care.

Dementia Services
Specialized living areas with services for people with dementia. Depending on the progression of the dementia, they may be located within an assisted living or skilled nursing setting. Dementia is a group of symptoms caused by various other diseases or conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease or stroke. While 80 different types of dementia have been identified, all lead to a decline in cognitive functioning typically accompanied by emotional and behavioral changes.

Durable Power of Attorney & Health Care Power of Attorney
The document used to delegate legal authority to another person who is called your agent. Michigan law requires specific language stating that you intend for the authority of the Durable Power of Attorney to continue while you are legally incapacitated. A Durable Power of Attorney gives your agent authority to make financial decisions, while a Health Care Power of Attorney is required to give your agent authority to make health care choices on your behalf.

Independent Living
Residents are self-sufficient and are able to plan and execute their days with no assistance for activities of daily living. This is especially true in accommodations that are free-standing.

Medicare
A health insurance program, administered by the United States government, for people 65 years and older or those with specified disabilities. Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing rehabilitation stays following hospitalization (but not custodial or long term skilled nursing), hospice care and some home health care. Medicare Part B helps pay for medically necessary physician services, outpatient care, some preventive services and other medical services that Part A doesn’t cover. There is usually no monthly premium for Part A, but there is a monthly Part B premium based on income. For more details on Medicare, visit www.medicare.gov.

Medicaid
A health care coverage program for families and individuals with low incomes and limited resources. It is co-funded by state and federal governments, but is administered by individual states for their own residents. For more information about income and asset Medicaid eligibility, contact your local Family Independence Agency or your local health department.

Retirement
That’s up to you to define…

Retirement Residence
Another type of independent living accommodation where additional support is provided. It is known by a variety of names including Residential Care, Supported Housing, Homes for the Aged or Congregate Housing. Individual accommodations are located in one building with a common kitchen and communal areas for shared dining, socializing and activities.

Skilled Nursing
Medicare defines skilled nursing as a level of care that includes services that can only be performed safely and correctly by a licensed nurse. Long-term residents have unstable or chronic conditions that require substantial daily assistance. Short-term residents receive rehabilitation therapy and nursing care to recover from acute illnesses, injuries or surgeries.

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