Core Vocabulary
long-term or long-lasting
chronic
the group of people with different kinds of education and experience who provide resident care
care team
24-hour skilled care provided in long-term care facilities for people with ongoing conditions
long-term care (LTC)
the state of being legally responsible for something
liability
the assignment of tasks to another person that are within their scope of practice.
delegation
a person living in a long-term care facility
resident
an unlicensed healthcare worker who performs assigned nursing tasks and gives personal care
nursing assistant (NA)
24-hour skilled care given in hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers for short-term, immediate illnesses or injuries
acute care
a medical assistance program for people who have low incomes, as well as for people with disabilities.
Medicaid
the order of authority within a facility.
chain of command
the number of days a person stays in a healthcare facility.
length of stay
a nurse responsible for a team of healthcare workers
charge nurse
health care that is provided in a person’s home
home health care
a federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, have certain disabilities or permanent kidney failure, or are ill and cannot work.
Medicare
the use of proper standards of behavior at work and in work-related settings.
professionalism
a way of classifying or categorizing someone or something at the first meeting.
first impression
a licensed HCW who assesses residents, creates care plans, monitors progress, provides skilled nursing care, administers treatments and medications, and supervises the care given by nursing assistants and other members of the care team.
registered nurse (RN)
residences for people who do not need 24-hour skilled care, but who do require some help with daily care.
assisted living
in a long-term care facility, to document a problem through a survey.
cite
care that involves the whole person; this includes his or her physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs.
holistic care
the practice of bringing pets into a facility or home to provide stimulation and companionship
animal-assisted therapy (AAT
an ongoing coordination of a resident’s care over time, during which the care team regularly exchanges information and works toward shared goals.
continuity of care
holistic, compassionate care for people who have approximately six months or less to live; care is available until the person dies
hospice care
an independent, not-for-profit organization that evaluates and accredits different types of healthcare facilities.
Joint Commission
daily personal care tasks, such as bathing; caring for skin, fingernails, and hair; eating; drinking; caring for the mouth and teeth; dressing; walking; transferring, eliminating; and communicating.
activities of daily living (ADLs)