A–Z Reference
Healthcare Glossary
Browse definitions alphabetically or use the letter
navigation above to jump to a specific section.
Terms beginning with A
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Daily Care
Everyday personal activities such as bathing, dressing,
eating, toileting, grooming, and moving safely.
Advance Directive
Care Planning
A legal document used to communicate a person’s
healthcare wishes if they become unable to make or
communicate certain decisions themselves.
Terms beginning with C
Caregiver
Caregiver Support
A family member, friend, or professional who provides
assistance or support to someone with daily care or
health-related needs.
Care Plan
Care Planning
A documented plan describing a person’s care needs,
goals, services, and other information used to help
coordinate care.
Terms beginning with H
Home Health Care
Care Type
Skilled healthcare services delivered in a person’s
home when applicable clinical and eligibility
requirements are met.
Homebound
Eligibility
A term used in certain healthcare programs to describe
situations in which leaving the home requires
considerable effort, assistance, or may not be
medically advisable. Specific requirements depend on
the applicable program.
Hospice Care
Care Type
Comfort-focused care for eligible patients with a
life-limiting illness. Hospice may also provide
emotional and practical support for family members
and caregivers.
Terms beginning with M
Medicare
Insurance
A federal health insurance program for eligible
individuals. Coverage requirements and benefits vary
depending on the service and individual circumstances.
Medicaid
Insurance
A public health coverage program administered jointly
by federal and state governments. Eligibility and
covered services vary by state and program.
Terms beginning with O
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Therapy
Therapy focused on helping a person perform everyday
activities as safely and independently as possible.
Terms beginning with P
Physical Therapy (PT)
Therapy
Therapy focused on movement, strength, balance,
mobility, and physical function.
Plan of Care
Care Planning
A written plan describing a person’s care needs,
goals, services, frequency of care, and other
information used to guide care.
Personal Home Care Assistance
Care Type
Non-medical assistance that can help a person with
everyday activities, personal care, companionship,
and other routine needs at home.
Terms beginning with R
Respite Care
Caregiver Support
Temporary care or support that can give a regular
family or primary caregiver time away from caregiving
responsibilities.
Terms beginning with S
Skilled Nursing
Clinical
Clinical nursing services provided by qualified
licensed healthcare professionals.
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
Care Setting
A healthcare facility that provides skilled nursing,
rehabilitation, or other qualifying services for people
who need care that cannot be managed independently at home.
Specialized Care
Care Type
Care designed around particular health conditions,
individual needs, or situations that may require
additional support.
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