Senior Living Glossary & Acronym Guide

Types of Senior Living & Care

Independent Living (IL): Residential communities for older adults who are generally healthy and independent, offering amenities like housekeeping, meals, and social activities.

Assisted Living (AL): A housing option for seniors who need some assistance with daily activities (bathing, dressing, etc.) but do not require full-time medical care.

Memory Care (MC): Specialized care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Typically housed in a secured area of an assisted living facility.

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF): Also known as nursing homes. Facilities that provide 24/7 medical care and rehabilitation services for seniors with serious health conditions.

Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC): A campus-style community that offers multiple levels of care (IL, AL, SNF, and sometimes MC) allowing seniors to age in place as their needs change.

Board and Care Homes / Residential Care Homes: Small, residential homes licensed to care for a limited number of residents, offering a more home-like environment.

Professionals & Roles

Geriatric Care Manager (GCM): A professional who helps assess, coordinate, and manage care for older adults.

Senior Placement Specialist / Advisor: A professional who helps families find appropriate senior housing or care options.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): A trained caregiver certified to provide basic care to patients, often in nursing homes or assisted living settings.

Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) / Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): A nurse licensed to provide basic medical care under the supervision of an RN or physician.

Registered Nurse (RN): A healthcare professional with a higher level of training who can assess patient needs, administer medications, and oversee care plans.

Terms Related to Payment & Legal Matters

Activities Director: Staff member who organizes events, outings, and engagement activities in a senior living community.

Power of Attorney (POA): A legal document giving one person authority to act on behalf of another in financial, healthcare, or legal matters.

Advance Directive / Living Will: Legal documents outlining a person's preferences for medical care if they become unable to communicate.

Medicare: A federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older and some younger individuals with disabilities. It does not typically cover long-term care.

Medicaid: A state and federal program that helps with medical and long-term care costs for people with limited income and assets.

Veterans Aid & Attendance (VA A&A): A benefit available to wartime veterans and surviving spouses to help pay for senior care.

Private Pay: Refers to out-of-pocket payment for services, not covered by insurance or government programs.

Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCi): Insurance specifically for covering services such as assisted living, nursing homes, or in-home care.

Common Acronyms

ADL - Activities of Daily Living

AL - Assisted Living

CCRC - Continuing Care Retirement Community

CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant

GCM - Geriatric Care Manager

HHA - Home Health Aide

IADL - Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

IL - Independent Living

LTC - Long-Term Care

LTCi - Long-Term Care Insurance

LVN / LPN - Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurse

MC - Memory Care

PACE - Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

POA - Power of Attorney

RN - Registered Nurse

SNF - Skilled Nursing Facility

VA - Veterans Affairs

VA A&A - Veterans Aid & Attendance