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.

H

Hallucinations

The illusion of hearing sounds or seeing objects that are not really there.

Health and Human Services Department of the United States (HHS)

The federal government agency most concerned with people and their human needs. HHS was created in 1953 and was called the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The Secretary of HHS advises the President on the health, welfare, and income security plans, policies, and programs of the federal government.

Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA)

Created in 1977, HCFA has oversight of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. HCFA is located within the federal government’s Department of Health and Human Services.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996

HIPAA was adopted to ensure continuity of coverage for individuals moving from one employer to another. HIPAA also regulates the privacy and security of protected health information to ensure individual dignity in maintaining the quality and integrity of health data, as well as the prevention of fraud and abuse.

Pathway’s management team and community staff receive regular training to protect the privacy and security of our resident’s health and financial information. Potential violations of our policies and standard practices should be reported to the company’s Privacy Officer for investigation.

Healthcare and Family Services Department of Illinois (HFS)

The State agency that promulgates regulatory requirements for all Supportive Living and Rehabilitative Living facilities in Illinois. HFS regulates the language of leases, staffing certification, square footage of units offered, covered services offered, voluntary and involuntary discharge of residents, resident’s rights, and licensure of Supportive Living communities.

Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HH)

Abnormally high iron in blood; causes weakness, pain and other illness.

High Blood Pressure (HBP)

See Hypertension.

Holistic

Caring for the complete person; addressing the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of the individual.

Home Health Care

Provides help or assistance with a wide range of medical and physical care needs in the individual’s own home. Covers many services, under a physician’s supervision. These may include skilled nursing care, health monitoring and evaluation, dispensing medication, physical and other types of therapy, psychological counseling, and instructing individuals or families about ongoing care.

Hospice

A philosophy and an approach to care for persons who are dying, including persons in the late stage of Alzheimer’s/dementia. Comfort care, pain control, and coordination of caring services are intended to assist the dying person and her family with the emotional, physical, social, and spirituals needs without prolonging life.

Housing and Urban Development Department of the United States (HUD)

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, part of the President’s Cabinet-level Administration, was created under the Urban Development Act of 1965. HUD has responsibility for all federal housing policies and programs. Senior housing projects have been developed under a number of programs (e.g. Sections 202, 221, and 236). HUD is the nation’s housing agency committed to increasing minority homeownership, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation’s fair housing laws.

HUD, in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), promulgates regulations for the low-income tax credit program under HUD 4350 regulations concerning the calculation of income and assets, unit designations (expressed in percentages based on the area median income), waiting lists for applicants desiring to lease units at Pathway communities, house-hold member requirements, and documentation requirements necessary for any IHTC resident file. HUD also performs Real Estate Assessment Center (“REAC”) inspections of each property.

Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Program/Contracts

The Housing Assistance Payment program is a rent subsidy program that assists eligible low-income families obtain decent, safe, and sanitary housing. It consists of various subprograms, designed to reflect the different types of housing and delivery mechanisms available. (i.e., Section 8, PRAC).

Housing for Older Persons

The term “Housing for Older Persons” is a legal one used for the purpose of claiming an exemption from the familial status provisions of the Fair Housing Amendments Act. The three categories include HUD Secretary designated state or federally assisted elderly housing programs; housing exclusively for persons 62 or older; and, 55 and over housing.

Huntington’s Disease

A hereditary disease that attacks the nervous system and results in irreversible dementia.

Hypertension (HTN)

Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure.

Blood pressure readings are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and usually given as two numbers. For example, 120 over 80 (written as 120/80 mmHg).

  • The top number is your systolic pressure, the pressure created when your heart beats. It is considered high if it is consistently over 140.
  • The bottom number is your diastolic pressure, the pressure inside blood vessels when the heart is at rest. It is considered high if it is consistently over 90.

Either or both of these numbers may be too high.

Pre-hypertension is when your systolic blood pressure is between 120 and 139 or your diastolic blood pressure is between 80 and 89 on multiple readings. If you have pre-hypertension, you are more likely to develop high blood pressure.

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.