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.

P

Parkinson’s Disease

Neuromuscular disease that causes tremors in the body; irreversible dementia may develop late in the disease process.

Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (PAF)

Abnormal heart rhythm.

Pathway Management, LLC

Pathway Management, LLC is the managing agent of Pathway Senior Living’s Supportive Living communities in Illinois; its’ Senior Apartment buildings; and its’ acquisitions and management contracts of independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities.

Pathway Senior Living, LLC

Pathway Senior Living, LLC is the owner of all Pathway Supportive Living Communities and Senior Apartment buildings in the State of Illinois and owner/investor in other senior housing communities around the country.

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

Stomach ulcer.

Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)

Poor circulation, usually in legs/feet/hands.

Person(s) with Disabilities

Includes the term “disabled person” and means a person who: (a) has a disability as defined in Section 23 of the Social Security Act; (b) has a physical, mental, or emotional impairment that (1) is expected to be of long-continued and indefinite duration; (2) substantially impedes his or her ability to live independently; and (3) is of such a nature that such ability could be improved by more suitable housing conditions; or © has a developmental disability.

Pick’s Disease

A rare disease that attacks the brain; closely resembles Alzheimer’s; diagnosis is by autopsy only.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

An inflammation of the large arteries; limits mobility and function due to pain.

Positive, Memorable Customer Experience (PMCE)

This phrase promotes going above the status quo with every interaction. At Pathway, employees are engaged in delivering positive, memorable experiences to customers each and every day.

Preventive Care

Preventive care is comprehensive care emphasizing patients’ behaviors that encourage health promotion and disease prevention, early detection, and early treatment of conditions, generally including routine physical examinations, immunizations, and well person care.

Primary Care

Primary care is general or basic health care as opposed to specialist care. Primary care providers usually oversee the overall care of patients and refer them to consultants or other professionals as appropriate. Although all physicians provide some primary care services, those whose practices are predominantly primary care include family or general practitioners, internists, and pediatricians. Primary care may also be provided by nurse practitioners, physicians’ assistants, or other mid-level practitioners.

Primary Market Area

The area from which a majority of clients will come.

Primary Referral Base

A core group of individuals from which a majority of client referrals will come.

Prompting

To help a person begin a task; often involves acting out or starting the first step of what the person should do.

Protein Plaques

A sticky substance that forms around the neurons of the brain as a result of Alzheimer’s disease.

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.