Popularized laymen's term used by doctors and the public alike to categorize the mental deterioration that may occur with aging.

A community facility for senior citizens. Senior centers provide a variety of activities for their members, including any combination of recreational, educational, cultural, or social events. Also, some centers offer nutritious meals and limited health care services.

Institutional care that is less intensive than hospital care in its nursing and medical service, but which includes procedures that require the training and skills of an RN for administration. Both Medicare and Medicaid reimburse for care at the skilled level if it is provided in a facility that has been certified as meeting the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) standards.

A facility that has been certified by Medicare and/or Medicaid to provide skilled care.

A national insurance program that provides income to workers when they retire or are disabled and to dependent survivors when a worker dies. Retirement payments are based on worker's earnings during employment.

Under the Medicaid program, a method by which an individual establishes Medicaid eligibility by reducing gross income through incurring medical expenses until net income (after medical expenses) meets Medicaid financial requirements.

A federal program that pays monthly checks to people in need who are 65 or older and to people in need at any age who are blind or disabled. The purpose of the program is to provide sufficient resources so the person can have a basic monthly income. Eligibility is based on income and assets.

A formal gathering of persons sharing common interests and issues. The participants and facilitators share information and mutual support, and often exchange coping skills with one another.

A substitute who makes decisions for someone who is no longer capable of making decisions for him/herself. The surrogate may be appointed as guardian or conservator by a court or identified when the person is competent through a power of attorney process.

Payment for care that is made by someone other than the patient or his/her family (for example, Medicare or a private insurance company).

Temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.