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.

C

Cancer (CA)

Cancer refers to any one of a large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. Cancer also has the ability to spread throughout your body.

Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States. But survival rates are improving for many types of cancer thanks to improvements in cancer screening and cancer treatment.

Care Management

Analysis of facts or evidence regarding an individual’s social, psychological, and physical health problems. Information is used to develop a statement of the level of functional ability of the person, (i.e., mildly impaired, moderately impaired, severely impaired) and the support services that will be needed.

Caregiver

A person who acts as advocate, or care manager for an older adult, such as a spouse, parent, friend, or relative. May also refer to day-to-day caregivers in senior living settings who may aid with medications, dressing, dining, ambulating, etc. These are often certified professionals or Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).

At Pathway’s Supportive Living communities, we refer to our caregivers as Life Enrichment Aides.

Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)

Stroke.

Certificate of Need (CON)

A certificate of need is a state regulatory and planning process that oversees investments in plant, equipment, and services for healthcare and long-term-7care industries. In general, a hospital, nursing home, or investor group applies to a state CON board for consideration of a capital investment project and approval to go ahead with the proposed project. According to state regulations and published review criteria, the review board can approve or reject the proposal. A CON can be issued to construct or modify a health facility, acquire major new medical equipment, or offer a new or different health service.

Certificates

Section 8 housing assistance payment program administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). Housing certificates are issued primarily to very low-income families and a limited number of low income families with a limit on the amount based on local Fair Market Rents (FMRs). Certificates are also issued to families currently living in projects with project-based subsidies where an owner is opting out of participation in the program. As of 1992, certificates were also authorized for family home ownership.

At some Pathway communities, Section 8 certificates are accepted. However, the resident is responsible for securing his or her Section 8 approval and re-certification from the Illinois Housing Development Authority.

Certification/Recertification

The documentation and verification process required of HUD managers in order to determine initial income and eligibility during the application process. The “initial certification” is used for applicants/new tenants to establish the amount of rental assistance subsidy which the applicant or tenant is eligible to receive.

Recertification is required at least once each year. The “annual recertification” begins approximately 90 -120 days prior to the anniversary of each resident’s move-in date. During the certification process, verification forms are sent out and data is collected to establish the gross annual income (considering all sources including earned income, income from assets, etc.) for all adult participants. Meanwhile, the total amount of allowable expenses (which for elderly households is a $400 elderly household reduction plus any allowable medical expenses) is determined using receipts and/or verification forms. The adjusted annual income is the total of gross annual income minus allowable expenses. Residents receiving federal rental assistance usually pay 30 percent of their annual adjusted income, and the rental assistance payment (i.e. Section 8 or PRAC) makes up the difference between the resident payment and the unit rent level.

“Interim recertifications” take place when a resident informs management of a significant change in income during the course of the rental contract year.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Caregiver

Refers to day-to-day caregivers in senior living settings who may aid with medications, dressing, dining, ambulating, etc. These are often certified professionals or Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).

At Pathway’s Supportive Living communities, we refer to our caregivers as Life Enrichment Aides.

Chemical Restraint

Medications used to modify or control a person’s behavior to ensure safety.

Chronic

An illness that is of long duration, may be treatable but illness may or may not be curable.

Chronic Kidney Disease - Stage III (CKDIII)

Kidneys do not function properly; may need dialysis.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Lungs do not exchange O2/CO2 adequately.

Chronic Renal Failure (CRF)

Kidneys do not function properly; may need dialysis.

Chronic Renal Insufficiency (CRI)

Kidneys do not function properly

Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)

Veins do carry blood back to the heart properly; usually affects lower legs and may cause leg ulcers and varicose veins.

Cognition

The process of knowing or thinking; includes perception, memory, and judgment.

Cognitive Impairment

Change or damage to the brain, including problems with memory and thinking abilities.

Confusion

The dementia or general disorientation regarding:

  • Person – Some people may not recognize familiar people or may confuse strangers for people they once knew.
  • Place – Some people may not know where they are (for example: town, city, state, etc.)
  • Time – Some people may not know what the current period of time is.

Congestive Heart Failure

A condition that results when the heart is weak and unable to pump as much blood as the body needs.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Blood vessels feeding the heart muscle itself are damaged.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Heart muscle does not pump blood adequately.

Congregate Housing/Congregate Care

This is another name for Independent Living.

Congregate Meals

Meals that may be served hot and that provide a minimum of one third of the Required Daily Allowance (RDA) to a group of older persons at a group facility.

Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)

A community that offers several levels of assistance, including independent living, assisted living and nursing home care. It is different from other housing and care options for seniors because it usually provides a written agreement or long-term contract between the resident (frequently lasting the term of the resident’s lifetime) and the community, which offers a continuum of housing, services and health care system, commonly all on one campus or site.

At present, Pathway does not operate any CCRCs.

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

Identification, assessment, and monitoring of all aspects of an organization, institution, or program that are important to the health, safety, and quality of life of all people involved in the program.

Continuum of Care

A continuum of care is a range of medical and nursing treatments in a variety of settings that provide services dependent on the level of care and service intensity required. The options range from office or clinic-based health promotion and disease prevention to hospital based, technology-dependent diagnostic and therapeutic services. The range of care also includes nursing home care for those who are unable to live at home.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

Open heart surgery that grafts new vessels around blocked arteries that feed the heart muscle; also known as Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABS)

Open heart surgery grafts vessels around blocked arteries that feed the heart muscle.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Blood vessels feeding the heart muscle itself are damaged.

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.