Long Term Health Care Terminology

Listing of phrases used in long term care and their meaning:

• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

ADLs are basic tasks needed for day-to-day functioning, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating and getting in and out of a bed or chair.

• Adult Foster Care/Adult Family Care (AFC)+ Program:

A host family offers room and board, 24-hour supervision and help with daily activities.

• Adult Day Health (ADH) Programs:

ADH programs give supervision, recreation and health care services to elders and people with disabilities during the day. Family caregivers can work or take care of other responsibilities.

• Aging Services Access Points (ASAP):

ASAPs are community-based long-term care services funded by Mass Health or the Massachusetts Home Care Program.

• Area Agencies on Aging (AAA):

AAAs provide funding for a range of long term care services without regard to income or assets.

• Assisted Living Residence:

A housing option for older adults who need some help with daily activities. They do not require 24 hour nursing care.

• Assistive Equipment:

Assistive Technology (AT) that makes it easier for a person to do daily activities.

• Congregate Housing:

Non-institutional group housing that combines shelter and service needs of the functionally impaired or socially isolated elder or disabled person who does not require constant supervision.

• Conservator:

A person granted legal authority to manage another’s financial affairs. A conservator is appointed when a person (the ward) is unable to make informed decisions. A conservator does not have custody of the ward.

• Continuing Care Retirement Community:

A residential community for older adults that combines independent retirement living, assisted living and nursing facility care.

• Geriatric Care Manager:

A professional who helps develop and implement long-term care plans to maximize independence for older adults.

• Group Adult Foster Care:

A program administered by the Massachusetts Division of Medical Assistance (DMA). It helps cover personal-care services and costs in assisted living residences or other settings.

• Group Homes

In Massachusetts, a group home is a community-based space for up to 16 unrelated people needing support. Support, care and skills training are provided by trained staff. Care is given on a 24 hour basis.

• Guardian:

A person appointed by the probate court to manage the legal, financial and day-to-day affairs of another person (ward) found unable to make these decisions. The guardian has legal custody of the ward.

• Home Health Aides:

Aides who provide home-based help with daily activities.

• Home Health Services:

Visiting nurses, licensed therapists and certified home health aides who provide home-based help with health and medical needs.

• Hospice Care:

End of life care for terminally ill people that is funded through Medicare.

• Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):

Tasks including meal preparation, housework, laundry, shopping, giving of meds, transportation, money management and phone calls.

• Long-term Care:

Services provided to help people with physical, mental health and social well-being.

• MassHealth (Medicaid):

A state and federally funded program providing health-care coverage for people with limited incomes or those who have spent down their resources.

• Medicare:

A federally funded program providing health-care coverage for those over 65 or permanently disabled. Medicare A covers inpatient hospital services, skilled nursing facilities, home health services and hospice care. Medicare B helps pay for doctor services, outpatient hospital services, medical equipment and supplies, and other health services

• Medigap:
  Private supplemental insurance to help cover Medicare deductibles and co-payments.

• Nursing Facility:

A facility that offers 24-hour nursing care, rehab services and help to the elderly, disabled and chronically ill. It is also for people who require a short period of rest and rehab before returning home or both. Also called a nursing home.

• Ombudsman Programs:

State-funded programs in the Executive Office of Aging and Independence for assisted-living facilities and nursing homes. It is authorized to investigate and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents that may affect the health, safety, welfare or rights of such residents.

• Palliative Care 

Medical support for people with serious illnesses. It focuses on improving quality of life by relieving symptoms, pain, and stress for both patients and their families. Palliative care aims to improve people’s lives. 

• Personal Care Attendants (PCAs):

People who help adults with disabilities maintain an otherwise independent lifestyle. They help with daily activities.

• Personal Care Homemakers:

Trained workers who provide home-based help with daily activities.

• Residential Care Facility:

A facility licensed to provide room and board, supervision and, sometimes, social and other services for people who need assistance with daily activities. They do not usually require nursing or medical care. Also known as a rest home.

• Respite Care:

Temporary relief services to caregivers of people needing long-term care at home. Respite care may be given in the home or by short-term placement in another setting. 

• Skilled Nursing Facility:

          A Medicare-certified nursing facility.

• Social Day Care Programs:

Provide social activities for elders/people with disabilities who need daytime supervision. Senior centers may offer these kinds of programs.

• Visiting Nurse Association (VNA):

A certified home health care agency that offers nursing care, rehab therapies and home health aide services.

Healthcare.gov Glossary

You can search for long-term care and other health care related terms.

Mass.gov Division of Insurance Glossary of Long-term Care

Frequently used terms in long-term care

Fact Sheet Last Updated on 1/13/2026

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Disclaimer: INDEX is pleased to provide you this information. Please note,  this information is not comprehensive, nor is it intended to take the place of professional advice. We encourage you to check other resources of such information. No endorsement by the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, DisabilityInfo.org,  INDEX, or affiliates, should be inferred. We reserve the right to remove, to modify, or to add any information at any time, for any reason, and without notice.