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anticipatory
grief
- the deep emotional distress that occurs when someone has a prolonged
illness and death is expected often by the patient as well as the family.
Anticipatory grief can be just as painful and stressful as the actual
death of the person.
assisted
living facility (ALF)
- an out-of-home care option for elderly persons who continue to
lead relatively active, healthy, and independent lives. Most ALFs feature
apartment-style living and many services for the elderly.
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bereavement - to be in a sad or lonely state due to a loss or death.
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caregiver
- someone who provides assistance, generally in the home environment, to an
aging parent, spouse, other relative, or unrelated person, or to an ill or
disabled person of any age. A caregiver can be a family member, friend,
volunteer, or paid professional.
CHAMPUS - The Civilian Health and Medical Program for Uniformed
Services.
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elder care - a relatively new and growing area of health care
concerned with providing medical and other services for the rapidly growing,
aging population (most often persons 65 and older).
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hospice - literal meaning "a place of shelter." Today
it refers to supportive care of a terminally ill patient.
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infusion therapy (Also called intravenous
therapy.) - the introduction of fluid other than blood
into a vein.
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Medicaid - Federally and state-funded health care program for
low-income individuals.
Medicare - Federally funded health care program for individuals
over age 65.
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ostomy - an artificial opening into the urinary or
gastrointestinal can or the trachea (windpipe).
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residential
care facility (RCF)
- an out-of-home care option for elderly persons who are no longer able
to live alone and independently, but do not require skilled nursing care.
RCFs typically provide assistance with personal hygiene, grooming, and other
activities of daily living, as well as recreational and social services.
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skilled
nursing facility (SNF)
-
an out-of-home care option for elderly persons who require continuous
nursing care. SNFs can provide extensive care services, such as
intravenous feedings, blood pressure monitoring, medication injections,
and care for patients on ventilators.
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x-rays - electromagnetic energy used to produce images of bones
and organs onto film.
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