Glossary

Navigating the seniors housing maze can be difficult at first. These simple definitions will help you with the terminology you will run into along the way. If you have questions about these terms, have additional senior housing terms you would like to suggest we add, or need additional help, please contact a Pathway community near you.

To see a term’s definition, click the title.

B

Basic Rent (Section 236)

One of four possible rent variables used to determine individual tenant rent payments in Section 236 projects. Basic rent is the operating costs of the project, including the mortgage payments at 1 percent interest and the utility costs for the dwelling unit paid by the owner.

Benchmark

Acceptable level of achievement of program goals. Usually used as an indicator of quality or program standard.

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)

Non-cancer enlarged prostate gland in men.

Bilateral Salpingo Oophorectomy (BSO)

Surgical removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes in women.

Board and Care Facility

See Independent Living.

Pathway wishes to acknowledge the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA), the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA), Senior Living University, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for their contributions to this Glossary. This information is presented for informational purposes only and should not be used as medical or legal advice.