Anyone who provides care without pay and who usually has personal ties to the care recipient. This person can provide full- or part-time help, and may live with the care recipient or separately.

Private insurance organizations under contract with the federal government to handle Medicare claims from hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies (Part A).

A legal term for a person who is lawfully vested by the Probate Court with the care of a person who has been judged legally incompetent and/or the care of the person's property.

An organization that, for a prepaid fee, provides a comprehensive range of health maintenance and treatment services (including hospitalization, preventive care, diagnosis, and nursing). HMOs that offer Medicare-paid health insurance are called Medicare Advantage Plans.

A public or private agency certified by Medicare that specializes in providing skilled nurses, homemakers, home health aides, and therapeutic services such as physical therapy in an individual's home.

Health services provided in the homes of the elderly, disabled, sick, or convalescent. The types of services provided include nursing care, social services, home health aide and homemaking services, and various rehabilitation therapies (e.g., speech, physical and occupational therapy).

A special way of caring for people with terminal illnesses and their families by keeping the patient as comfortable as possible by relieving pain and other symptoms, preparing for a death that follows the wishes and needs of the patient, and reassuring both the patient and family members by helping them to understand and manage what is happening.

Most hospice patients receive care while living in their homes. Home hospice patients have family members or friends who provide most of their care, with help and support from the trained hospice team, which visits the house to provide medical and nursing care, emotional support, counseling, information, instruction, and practical help.

The loss of bowel and bladder control.

The process of making a decision about medical care that is based on open, honest communication between the health care provider and the patient and/or the patient's family members.

Personal tasks often performed by a caregiver, such as meal preparation, grocery shopping, making telephone calls, and money management.

Assistance with activities of daily living plus rehabilitation services usually provided by licensed therapists and registered nurses as well as licensed practical nurses.

A requirement for services to be covered by Medicare; home health services given to a patient at least once every 60 days or as frequently as a few hours a day, several times per week.

One who has completed one or two years in a school of nursing or vocational training school. LPNs are in charge of nursing in the absence of a Registered Nurse (RN). LPNs often give medications and perform treatments. They are licensed by the state in which they work.

A legal document that outlines the kinds of medical care a patient wants and doesn't want. The living will is used only if the patient becomes unable to make decisions for him/herself.