Aviva Senior Living | Resources – Glossary of Terms

An age-restricted or “55+ community” is designed and operated as a multifamily community, except residency is reserved for seniors. No services or special activities are provided.

Assisted-living communities typically provide services that allow the resident to maintain a degree of independence, while offering a helping hand with certain tasks such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and taking medications.

CCRCs are senior-living communities that provide a range of lifestyle options on one campus, from independent living, assisted living, to memory care, and, sometimes, skilled nursing. The purpose is to provide a continuum of care throughout one’s lifetime. These communities usually offer long-term contracts or written agreements, and a continuum of housing services and health care. Floor plans can range from individual cottages and duplexes to studio apartments.

Independent living is an active-adult lifestyle. In an independent-living community, residents are capable of living without assistance (although the community can usually provide resources if certain services become necessary). Such communities typically provide meals and housekeeping as well as social and wellness activities.

Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance developed specifically to cover the cost of skilled nursing, assisted living, home health care and other long-term care services. These services are usually not covered by traditional health insurance or Medicare.

The federal health insurance program called Medicare is designed for people who are 65 and older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease. Medicare Parts A, B, C and D cover specific services and care.

Financed by state and federal governments, Medicaid is the program of medical assistance designed for those unable to afford regular medical service—available to fund care in a skilled nursing setting.

A specialized type of elder care, memory care is tailored specifically for the needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other cognitive disorders.

Services designed to help an individual recover from an injury, operation, stroke, or illness. These may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and memory care. In most cases, services are planned to help the patient return as closely as possible to pre-challenge levels. The services may be residential (inpatient), or outpatient, and may be short- or long-term, depending on the needs of the patient.

“Retirement community” is a loosely applied term referring to any community dedicated to senior living. Encompassing many lifestyles, it can include rentals or for-sale communities. The term retirement simply implies “senior,” and is not restricted to retired people.

Many organizations dedicated to seniors and senior care offer useful information and details on their websites. We’ve assembled a collection of links so you’re just a click away from helpful resources.