Case 1Glossary of Terms
- A -Adaptive
Equipment:
Specially designed equipment or surroundings that aid an individual in
performing necessary daily tasks. ADLs: Activities of Daily Living: Fundamental abilities linked to self-care and independent living. Examples include bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and eating. For more information on ADLs see Katz, S., Ford, A.B., Moskowitz, RW, et al. Studies of illness in the aged: The index of ADL, a standard measure of biologic and psychosocial function. JAMA. 1963; 185: 914-919. Angina: Angina pectoris is the medical term for chest pain due to coronary heart disease. Angina is a symptom of a condition called myocardial ischemia . It occurs when the heart muscle (myocardium) doesn't get as much blood (hence as much oxygen) as it needs for a given level of work. Insufficient blood supply is called ischemia. (For more information see: http://www.americanheart.org/Heart_and_Stroke_A_Z_Guide/angina.html) Arthritis: Arthritis causes pain, stiffness and sometimes swelling in or around joints. This can make it hard to do the movements people rely on every day for work or taking care of families. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and the cause of most types is unknown. (For more information see www.arthritis.org) Back to Top- B -Back to Top- C -Chronic medical conditions: Medical conditions that persist for long periods of time. Examples include arthritis, hypertension, and others. Coronary artery disease: Coronary artery disease is narrowing of the heart's coronary arteries. This is the commonest cause for what is called ischemic heart disease. The heart muscle does not get enough oxygen because blood flow is decreased due to the narrowing of these arteries. A person can have coronary artery disease without having ischemic heart disease, this occurs when the narrowing is not very severe. Coronary artery narrowing is usually due to atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. This process occurs in other vessels as well, including the carotid arteries (vessels going to the brain) and the femoral arteries (vessels going to the legs). The final end point in coronary artery disease occurs when a patient has a complete blockage of a coronary artery. This results in total lack of oxygen to the heart muscle supplied by that artery, and as a result that muscle dies and scars. The result is known as a myocardial infarction or "heart attack." For more information see What is coronary artery disease?) Back to Top- D -Diabetes: Diabetes
is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin.
Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other
food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes is a
mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity
and lack of exercise appear to play roles. There are two major types of
diabetes: (see www.diabetes.org
for more information)
Back to Top- E -Energy
Conservation Techniques: The use of energy saving
procedures to minimize output by the client Back to Top- F -Back to Top- G -GERD: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: An intensive form of heartburn that is often painful due to acid reflux. Geriatric
syndromes: common conditions in frail
elderly patients such as incontinence, frequent falls, confusion, and the
side effects caused by multiple medications.
Geriatrician: A geriatrician is a physician who is specially trained to prevent and manage the unique and often multiple health problems of older adults, such as chronic pain, heart disease, memory loss, and osteoporosis. Back to Top- H -Hypertension: High blood pressure, or hypertension , is defined in an adult as a systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher and/or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). High blood pressure directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and stroke, especially along with other risk factors. (see www.americanheart.org/Heart_and_Stroke_A_Z_Guide/hbp.html for more information) Back to Top- I -IADLs: Instrumental Activities of Daily Living: Similar to ADLs, IADLs include tasks such as cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, preparing meals, driving, managing money, taking medications, and using the telephone. For more information see Lawton, MP, Moss, M, Fulcomer M, et al. A research and service-oriented multilevel assessment instrument. Journal of Gerontology. 1982; 37:91-99. Back to Top- J -Back to Top- K -Back to Top- L -Back to Top- M -Meals
on Wheels: A service which delivers
pre-cooked, ready to eat meals to home-bound individuals who have
difficulty preparing meals for themselves.
Medicaid:
A state and federally funded health insurance program for disabled
and low-income individuals and families.
Medicare: A federally funded health insurance program for adults 65 years and older Back to Top- N -Back to Top- O -Office for the Aging: Most counties in New York State have an Office for the Aging which services as an informational resource and service provider for older adults and their families. Oral
hypoglycemic: A type of
oral medication used in treating symptoms of diabetes.
Osteoarthritis: A degenerative joint disease, is one of the oldest and most common types of arthritis. It is characterized by the breakdown of the joint's cartilage. Cartilage is the part of the joint that cushions the ends of bones. Cartilage breakdown causes bones to rub against each other, causing pain and loss of movement. (For more information see www.arthritis.org) Back to Top- P -Pharmacotherapy: In relation to depression and other mental health issues, this term relates to the use of medications as a form of therapy to treat the illness. Pressure sore: A pressure sore is a form of skin breakdown which can lead to infection and can be difficult to treat. Back to Top- Q -Back to Top- R -Back to Top- S -Back to Top- T -Back to Top- U -Back to Top- V -Back to Top- W -Back to Top- X -Back to Top- Y -Back to Top- Z -Back to Top- # -Back to Top
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