13 May 2023
As our population ages, there is an increasing need for healthcare services for aging adults. However, navigating the healthcare system can be complicated, especially when it comes to understanding what is and isn’t covered by medical insurance. Here is a glossary of terms that can help you better understand the types of care, home health vs. home care, and the services provided by the healthcare industry for aging adults.
Common Types of Care
Primary care: Primary care is the first point of contact for patients seeking medical attention. It includes routine medical check-ups, preventative care, and treatment for common illnesses.
Routine medical check-ups: These appointments involve a comprehensive physical examination to check for any signs of health issues, including blood tests and other diagnostic tests.
Preventative care: Preventative care services include screenings and immunizations that help to prevent illnesses and chronic conditions.
Treatment for common illnesses: Primary care providers treat common illnesses such as colds, flu, and infections.
Specialty care: Specialty care refers to medical care provided by specialists, such as cardiologists, neurologists, and oncologists. This type of care is focused on specific health conditions or diseases.
Cardiology: Cardiologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of heart-related conditions, such as heart disease and heart attacks.
Neurology: Neurologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the nervous system, such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Oncology: Oncologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Urgent care: Urgent care is medical care provided on a walk-in basis for medical issues that are not emergencies but require immediate attention, such as a fever or sprained ankle.
Walk-in medical care: Urgent care centers offer convenient, walk-in medical care for minor illnesses and injuries.
Minor illness and injury treatment: Urgent care centers treat minor illnesses and injuries such as sprains, strains, and minor infections.
Emergency care: Emergency care is medical care provided for life-threatening medical emergencies, such as heart attacks or strokes. It is provided in hospital emergency rooms or urgent care centers.
Life-saving medical care: Emergency care providers offer life-saving medical care for patients experiencing medical emergencies such as heart attacks or strokes.
Behavioral health care: Behavioral health care is the treatment of mental health and substance abuse disorders.
Mental health treatment: Behavioral health care providers offer treatment for a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
Substance abuse treatment: Behavioral health care providers offer treatment for substance abuse disorders, including addiction to drugs and alcohol.
Rehabilitation care: Rehabilitation care is medical care provided to patients who are recovering from an injury or illness.
Physical therapy: Physical therapy helps patients to regain mobility and strength after an illness or injury.
Occupational therapy: Occupational therapy helps patients to regain the ability to perform activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, and cooking.
Speech therapy: Speech therapy helps patients to improve their communication and swallowing abilities.
Long-term care: Long-term care is medical care provided to patients who require ongoing medical attention and assistance with daily living activities.
Skilled nursing care: Skilled nursing care includes services such as wound care, medication management, and intravenous therapy.
Personal care: Personal care services include assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation.
Homemaker services: Homemaker services include assistance with household tasks such as cleaning, laundry, and grocery shopping.
Home Health vs. Home Care
Home health care: Home health care is medical care provided in the patient’s home. It is designed to help patients recover from an illness or injury and avoid hospitalization.
Skilled nursing care: Home health care providers offer skilled nursing care to patients in their homes, including wound care, medication management, and intravenous therapy.
Rehabilitation services: Home health care providers offer rehabilitation services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
Assistance with activities of daily living: Home health care providers offer assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation.
Home care: Home care is non-medical care provided in the patient’s home. It is designed to help patients with daily living activities and improve their quality of life.
Personal care: Home care providers offer personal care services such as assistance with activities of daily living, medication reminders, and transportation.
Homemaker services: Home care providers offer homemaker services such as cleaning, laundry, and grocery shopping.
Companionship: Home care providers offer companionship to patients, providing social interaction and emotional support.
Nursing Homes a.k.a. Skilled Nursing Facilities(SNFs), Assisted Living, and Independent Living Care Options
When it comes to long-term care options, there are several types of facilities available to aging adults. The level of care, amenities, and services offered vary widely depending on the type of facility. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of long-term care facilities:
Nursing homes (SNFs): Nursing homes, also known as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), provide 24-hour nursing care for aging adults who need a high level of medical care. Nursing homes typically offer a range of services, including room and board, nursing care, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Many nursing homes also offer specialized care for patients with dementia or other cognitive impairments.
Assisted living: Assisted living facilities are designed for aging adults who need some assistance with daily living activities but do not require the level of medical care provided by nursing homes. Assisted living facilities typically offer apartment-style living with support services such as meals, housekeeping, and transportation. Some assisted living facilities also offer nursing care and other medical services on-site.
Independent living: Independent living facilities are designed for aging adults who are still able to live independently but want the convenience of living in a community with other seniors. Independent living facilities typically offer apartment-style living with social and recreational activities, meals, and housekeeping services. Independent living facilities do not typically offer medical care or assistance with daily living activities.
Services Provided by the Healthcare Industry for Aging Adults
Hospice care: Hospice care is provided to patients with a terminal illness who are no longer seeking curative treatment. It focuses on providing comfort and support to patients and their families during the end-of-life process.
Comfort care: Hospice care providers offer comfort care to patients, including pain management and symptom control.
Emotional and spiritual support: Hospice care providers offer emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families.
Palliative care: Palliative care is medical care provided to patients with serious illnesses, with a focus on improving quality of life and managing symptoms.
Pain management: Palliative care providers focus on pain management and symptom control to improve quality of life for patients.
Emotional support: Palliative care providers offer emotional support to patients and their families.
Adult day care: Adult day care provides social and recreational activities, meals, and healthcare services for aging adults who require supervision and support during the day.
Social and recreational activities: Adult day care programs offer a variety of social and recreational activities, such as games, crafts, and music therapy.
Meals: Adult day care programs provide meals and snacks to participants.
Healthcare services: Adult day care programs offer healthcare services such as medication management and assistance with activities of daily living.
Understanding these terms can help you better navigate the healthcare system and make informed decisions about the care of aging adults. It’s important to remember that medical insurance coverage can vary depending on the type of care and the specific policy. It’s important to review your insurance policy and consult with healthcare professionals to understand what is and isn’t covered by your insurance.
At Senior Home Partners, we understand the complex and often overwhelming world of healthcare for aging adults. Our mission is to provide a compassionate and transparent approach to senior home transitions, ensuring the best possible outcomes for your family. Our expert guidance and support can help you navigate the healthcare system with confidence. Contact us today to learn more.