Long-term care/medical professionals use "buzzwords," just like any other profession.  Here is a short glossary to help understand what you're hearing and reading. This glossary is "active," with words added as time permits.

A
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
These refer to the tasks which an individual must be able to perform in order to care for themselves.

They are:

1. Bathing
2. Dressing
3. Eating
4. Toileting
5. Continence
6. Transferring (from bed to chair and back again)
7. Ambulating

Many long-term care insurance policies state that the inability of an individual to perform three out of seven ADLs is the "trigger" for policy terms to take effect.  For instance, if an individual is unable to bathe or dress themselves and has problems with continence, he is considered deficient in three ADLs.  Many long-term care facilities also use the "three ADL" rule of thumb when making decisions about levels of care.

Acute Care
This is care that is typically provided to an individual for a short period of time to treat certain illnesses or conditions. included can be short-term hospitalization, physician's visits, surgery, and X-rays.

Adult Day Health Care (or Adult Day Care)
A daytime program for older adults that provides a variety of support services in a setting which provides protection for those with cognitive issues, health care and socialization for others.  There are different "models" of adult day health centers which cater to various populations.

Ambulatory Care
Health care services which are provided on an outpatient basis. Patients who receive ambulatory care do not require overnight hospitalization.

Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
The CT Area Agencies on Aging are private, non-profit corporations established in 1974.  They provide leadership and resources to adults 60 years of age and older and their caregivers. CT has five agencies that serve CT.

Assessment
A process by a physician or other health care professional which helps determine an individual's level of physical ability or cognition. An assessment, which can consist of formal tests and interviews with the patient and others, helps determine the type of services as well as the level needed.

Assisted Living
Unlike nursing facilities, the assisted living industry is not regulated.  Therefore, it is difficult to define "assisted llving."  In general, it is supportive and healthcare services provided to older adults who require some supervision and assistance with dressing, medication reminders or other ADLs.  There are assisted living facilities that offer services exclusively to individuals with Alzheimer's or other dementias.