Refers to a broad and highly variable range of rehabilitative, restorative and health maintenance services that assist people with ADLs, IADLs and the emotional aspects of coping with illness or disability.

An assistance program through which the federal government and the individual states share in payment for the medical care of certain categories of needy and low-income people.

A federal health insurance program for people 65 and over and some under 65 who are disabled. Medicare has two parts. Part A is also called Hospital Insurance, and Part B is called Medical Insurance.

A Medicare federal health insurance option that provides all the coverage offered through the Medicare program, but through a HMO or managed care organization.

Sold by private insurance companies and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, this type of insurance is specifically designed to help pay health care expenses either not covered or not fully covered by Medicare.

An institutional setting that offers 24-hour supervision and care to individuals, usually older persons, who are no longer able to be responsible for themselves in an independent living setting.

A person who investigates complaints about long-term care facilities where older people live.

A program for persons under age 60 who are at risk of nursing home placement or who require information and assistance.

The total care of patients with progressive, incurable illness. In palliative care, the focus of care is on quality of life. Control of pain and other physical symptoms, and psychological, social and spiritual problems are considered most important.

Activities, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, caring for hair/nails and oral hygiene, needed to facilitate treatment or to prevent deterioration of a person's health.

The treatment of diseases and symptoms with medications.

A graduate nurse who has completed a minimum of two years of education at an accredited school of nursing. RNs are licensed by the state in which they work.

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.

Temporary or short-term care of a chronically ill person by another which is designed to give the caregiver a rest.

The ability to bathe, dress, toilet, and feed oneself.