Resources
Arkansas Association of Charitable Clinics
Arkansas Department of Human Services: Division of Aging and Adult Services
ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING
Those activities which are necessary for living independently in a home setting.
ADULT DAYCARE
Provides daycare for adult individuals unable to stay alone and provide for their own needs. The facility must meet state requirements regarding space and staff.
ADULT DAY HEALTH CENTER
Provides daycare for adult individuals unable to stay alone and provide for their own needs. The facility must meet state requirements regarding space and staff. It must employ a nurse.
ASSESSMENT
A personal evaluation to determine the needs of an elderly person.
ASSISTED LIVING
A mix of housing, personalized supporting services, and limited health care designed to respond to the individual needs of persons who need help with activities of daily living, but who do not require the skilled medical care to such a degree that a nursing home provides.
CARE MANAGER
A trained staff person who assists an elderly or disabled client in arranging and coordinating services, accessing resources, helping to allow that person to remain independent as long as possible.
CARE PLAN
A plan formulated by a registered nurse in coordination with a physician’s orders for the care and/or rehabilitation of the client.
CAREGIVER
Caregivers are people who take care of other adults, often parents or spouses, or children with special medical needs. Some caregivers are family members; others are paid. They help with food shopping and cooking, house cleaning, paying bills, giving medicine, going to the toilet, bathing and dressing, eating, providing company, and emotional support. Caregiving is hard, and caregivers of chronically ill people often feel stress.
CONGREGATE MEALS
A hot or other appropriate meal served to an eligible person at a congregate meal site. Meals provide 1/3 of the RDA requirements and comply with Arkansas’ Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) standards.
ELDER CHOICE WAIVER
A program administered by the Department of Human Services to assist persons with services to allow them to remain at home. Regulations and eligibility requirements must be met according to state income, resources, and medical criteria. A variety of services are available if the applicant is eligible.
GUARDIANSHIP
A formally structured legal relationship in which one person (the guardian) is appointed to act or advocate on behalf of another person (the ward) who is unable to make competent decisions for him/herself.
HOME CARE ASSISTANTS
Certified and/or trained persons who provide personal care, homemaker, respite, and adult companion services in the home. WRAAA requires them to have background checks, drug testing, and to have ongoing supervision by a Registered Nurse.
HOME DELIVERED MEALS
A hot or other appropriate meal delivered to the residence of an eligible homebound person.
HOMEMAKER
Provides assistance in the basic upkeep and management of the home and in household tasks. Homemaker service activities may include menu planning, bill paying, checking account management, etc., and may include but cannot be limited to household chores such as laundry, essential shopping, and meal preparation.
MEDICAID
A program that helps pay for medically necessary medical or supportive services for needy and low-income persons. It is funded by both state and federal government money.
MEDICARE
A federal insurance program for people age 65 and older and certain disabled people. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) operate the Medicare program, which consists of three parts Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), Medicare Part B (supplemental medical insurance), and Medicare Part D (prescription drug assistance).
MEDIGAP
A policy that is offered by a private company to those entitled to Medicare benefits and provides payment for Medicare charges not payable because of the applicability of deductibles, coinsurance amounts or other Medicare imposed limitations. Typically, a Medigap policy does not include limited benefit coverage areas available to Medicare beneficiaries, such as “specified disease” or “hospital indemnity” coverage. By law, the definition explicitly excludes a policy or plan offered by an employer to employees, or former employees, as well as policies offered by a labor organization to members or former members.
NURSING FACILITIES
A facility that requires that residents need 24-hour skilled nursing care by licensed staff.
OMBUDSMAN
An advocate for residents of nursing homes and residential care facilities. This person receives, investigates, and resolves complaints on behalf of residents and families. He/she regularly visits residents to hear their concerns and complaints and assists with conflict resolution.
PERSONAL CARE
This is a non-skilled service that provides assistance to clients with their personal hygiene, mobility, toileting, and other activities of daily living such as meal preparation, light housework, laundry, and transportation for shopping. This service is provided so that the client can remain independent with dignity in his/her own home.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
A legal document that gives someone else the power to make decisions regarding his/her money or property. This person is the “maker” of the power of attorney. The person given the power of attorney has only the authority to do what is spelled out in the document.
PUBLIC BENEFITS
Benefits available to the public provided by state and federal government funds.
RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY
A facility that requires that residents be mobile and manage their care with only some help. Food, laundry, shelter, transportation, and medication reminders provided.
RESPITE CARE
Help to provide relief to a caregiver in order to reduce stress and allow time away from the responsibilities of caregiving.
SOCIALIZATION/RECREATION
Facilitation of the client’s involvement in activities to promote social interaction and reduce social isolation. This may be accomplished through activities that provide personal enrichment, satisfying use of leisure time, or the development of new skills or knowledge.
STIPEND
Compensation for volunteer service on an hourly basis or for mileage driven.