An illness or other condition with one or more of the following characteristics: permanency, residual disability, requires rehabilitation training, or requires a long period of supervision, observation, or care. Typically, it is a disease or condition that lasts over a long period of time and cannot be cured; it is often associated with disability.

The specified portion that Medicare, health insurance, or a service program may require a person to pay toward his or her medical bills or services.

A written amendment to a will.

Usually used in a legal sense, refers to a person's ability to understand information, make an informed choice based on the information and values, and communicate that decision.

The ability to maintain control of bowel and bladder function. Or, when unable to maintain control of these functions, the ability to perform associated personal hygiene (including caring for catheter or colostomy bag).

A retirement community that offers a broad range of services and levels of care based on what each resident needs over time. Sometimes called "life care," it can range from independent living in an apartment to assisted living to full-time care in a nursing home.

Care to help individuals meet personal needs such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other non-medical care that most people do themselves, such as using eye drops. Medicare does not pay for custodial care and Medicaid pays very little.

Lack of adequate fluid in the body and a crucial factor in the health of older people.

A disturbance of brain function that causes confusion and changes in alertness, attention, thinking and reasoning, memory, emotions, sleeping patterns and coordination. These symptoms may start suddenly, may be due to some type of medical problem, and may get worse or better multiple times.

Loss of one's bearings, loss of sense of familiarity with one's surroundings, or loss of one's bearings with respect to time, place and person.

Instructions written by a doctor telling other healthcare providers not to try to restart a patient's heart, using cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or other related treatments, if his/her heart stops beating. Usually, DNR orders are written after a discussion between a doctor and the patient and/or family members.

A legal document that specifies one or more individuals (called a health care proxy) designated to make medical decisions for a person if that person is incapacitated.

Doctors and caregivers provide care to patients approaching the end of life that is focused on comfort, respect for decisions, support for the family, and treatments to help psychological and spiritual concerns.

Thoughtful consideration and planning for an individual's future in the area of finances and property. In some cases, planning for health care decisions may begin at this time.

Short-term or temporary care in a hospital available for those awaiting permanent nursing home or less intense nursing care prior to returning home. The process of restoration of skills by a person who has had an illness or injury so as to regain maximum self-sufficiency and function in a normal or as near normal manner as possible.