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Glossary of senior living terms: A–H

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The SeniorLiving.wiki glossary defines 31 common senior living, long-term care and benefits terms in plain language, each with a source. This page covers terms A–H; see terms I–Z for the rest.

Index

A · B · C · E · F · H · Terms I–Z →

Terms A–H

Activities of daily living (ADLs)
Basic personal tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, using the toilet and taking medications; most long-term care helps with these.[1]
Adult day health care
Daytime care in a community setting that may include meals, exercise, social activities, personal care and transportation.[1]
Aging in place
Staying in one’s own home while growing older, usually with planning and support services.[2]
Aid and Attendance
A monthly amount added to a VA pension for veterans and survivors who need help with daily activities, are largely bedbound, live in a nursing home due to disability, or have limited eyesight.[3]
Asset limit (Medi-Cal)
The most a person can own in countable assets and still qualify for certain Medi-Cal programs: $130,000 for one person from January 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.[4]
Assisted living
A residential setting for people who need help with daily care but less help than a nursing home provides.[5]
Assisted Living Waiver (ALW)
A Medi-Cal home and community-based services waiver that pays for assisted living services in participating facilities in 15 California counties.[6]
Benefit period (Medicare)
The period Medicare uses for Part A cost-sharing; skilled nursing facility coverage is limited to 100 days in each benefit period.[7]
Board and care home
A small private facility, usually with 20 or fewer residents, providing personal care, meals and round-the-clock staff but usually not nursing care.[5]
Care and supervision
In California law, ongoing assistance with activities of daily living, including help with medications, money management or personal care.[8]
Care Compare
Medicare’s online tool for finding and comparing nursing homes and other providers, including five-star ratings.[9]
Continuing care retirement community (CCRC)
A community offering independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing in one location, usually for an entrance fee plus a monthly fee; also called a life care community.[5]
Custodial care
Non-medical long-term care, such as help with bathing and dressing; Medicare does not pay for it.[10]
Eldercare Locator
A public service of the Administration for Community Living that connects older adults and families with local services; 1-800-677-1116.[11]
Five-Star Quality Rating System
CMS’s 1-to-5-star rating of nursing homes, with separate ratings for health inspections, staffing and quality measures.[12]
Home Care Organization (HCO)
A California agency that provides non-medical home care; HCOs must be licensed by CDSS, and their aides listed on a public registry.[13]
Home health care
Part-time skilled nursing, therapy and related services at home ordered by a provider; covered by Medicare for eligible homebound people.[14]

References

Web pages accessed September 28, 2026 unless noted. See sources and methodology.

  1. ^ "What Is Long-Term Care?". National Institute on Aging (NIH).
  2. ^ "Aging in Place: Growing Older at Home". National Institute on Aging (NIH).
  3. ^ "VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance". U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
  4. ^ "Asset Limit Frequently Asked Questions (Medi-Cal)". California Department of Health Care Services. Limits effective January 1, 2026.
  5. ^ "Long-Term Care Facilities: Assisted Living, Nursing Homes, and Other Residential Care". National Institute on Aging (NIH).
  6. ^ "Assisted Living Waiver". California Department of Health Care Services.
  7. ^ "Skilled nursing facility care (coverage page; 2026 cost-sharing amounts)". Medicare.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 2026 amounts.
  8. ^ "California Health and Safety Code §1569.2 (definitions, residential care facilities for the elderly)". California Legislative Information.
  9. ^ "Care Compare (find and compare nursing homes, home health agencies and hospices)". Medicare.gov. Search tool.
  10. ^ "Long-term care (coverage page)". Medicare.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
  11. ^ "Eldercare Locator". Administration for Community Living.
  12. ^ "Five-Star Quality Rating System". Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
  13. ^ "Home Care Services". California Department of Social Services.
  14. ^ "Home health services (coverage page)". Medicare.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
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