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.

M

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Mental illness.

Managed Care

Concept in which an organization negotiates with a limited or select group of health care and other providers of service for preferred or set charges for services and care. The American Association of Homes & Services for the Aging’s official managed care definition is a method of providing care and services through financing mechanisms which coordinate care across time, place, and provider. Managed care emphasizes prevention, risk/reward sharing and appropriate utilization of services based on consumer and community needs for an outcome of maximum health and well-being at lower overall costs.

Meals-on-Wheels

This program delivers meals to the homes of homebound or disabled older adults. Usually the program participant pays for the cost of these meals. If he or she is unable to pay, meals will still be provided.

Medicaid Waiver

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 1115 waiver is for research and demonstration, and allows state to experiment with new options and models that have not been tested before, or could be tested under a more limited waiver = e.g. 1915 c.

Medicare

Medicare is a health insurance program for:

  • people age 65 or older,
  • people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and
  • people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).

Medicare has:

  • Part A Hospital Insurance – Most people don’t pay a premium for Part A because they or a spouse already paid for it through their payroll taxes while working. Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, including critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care). It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care. Beneficiaries must meet certain conditions to get these benefits.
  • Part B Medical Insurance – Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover doctors’ services and outpatient care. It also covers some other medical services that Part A doesn’t cover, such as some of the services of physical and occupational therapists, and some home health care. Part B helps pay for these covered services and supplies when they are medically necessary.
  • Medicare D – Prescription Drug Coverage – Most people will pay a monthly premium for this coverage. Since January 1, 2006, new Medicare prescription drug coverage has been available to everyone with Medicare. Everyone with Medicare can get this coverage that may help lower prescription drug costs and help protect against higher costs in the future. Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage is insurance. Private companies provide the coverage. Beneficiaries choose the drug plan and pay a monthly premium. Like other insurance, if a beneficiary decides not to enroll in a drug plan when they are first eligible, they may pay a penalty if they choose to join later.

Minimum Rent

In 1995, legislation was passed requiring residents of HUD housing to pay a minimum amount. Currently, the policy for public housing, allows for a minimum of up to $50 to be set by the local PHA. In assisted housing, a determination was made that all persons would pay a $25 minimum, unless they fall under one of the exemptions including head, spouse or co-head being over the age of 62 or disabled.

Mission Statement

A written statement of the philosophy and goals of an organization, institution, facility, or program. The mission statement is the foundation on which the entire program is built. It is made operational by staff, residents and families by following accepted policies and procedures.

At Pathway Senior Living, our mission is to be the employer and provider of choice by creating a neighborly sense of community and comfortable lifestyle for those who choose to call our communities home.

Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP)

Mitral valve inside the heart does not close properly; heart murmur and circulation problems may occur.

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

Heart attack.

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.