It is so difficult to understand people when they speak in letters rather than words. The medical profession and governmental organizations in particular seem to have their own language comprised of acronyms. This can be immensely frustrating to us civilians. Here is a guide to acronyms most having to do with Senior Care Services, Home Care, and some medical terms.

Acronyms and Abbreviations:

AAA: Area Agency on Aging

ABT: Arterial Blood Pressure

AC: Before meals

ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act

ADC: Adult Day Care

ADHC: Adult Day Health Care (see ADC)

ADL’S: Activities of Daily Living (& see IADL)

AHCD: Advanced Health Care Directive

APS: Adult Protective Services

B&C: Board & Care Facility

CNA: Certified Nurses Assistant

Cap Dec: Capacity Declaration for Exclusive Informed Medical Consent

CCRC: Continuing Care Retirement Facility

CFAR: Center for Aging Resources

CFP: Certified Financial Planner

CFAR: Center for Aging Resources

CM: Care Manager or Case Manager

CSA: Certified Senior Adviser

COE: Conservator of the Estate

COP: Conservator of the Person

CONS: Conservatorship

C’TOR: Conservator

C’TEE: Conservatee

DAC: Disabled Adult Child Benefits or/ Disabled Adult Child

DD: Developmentally Disabled

DHS: Department of Health Services

DP: Discharge Planner

DPOAHC: Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care

DSM: Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

DSS: Department of Social Services

ESC: Eldercare Services Co-ordinator

FC: Family Caregiver

FID: Fiduciary

GAL: Guardian ad Litem

GCM: Geriatric case manager

HHA: Home Health Agency

HICAP: Health Insurance Couseling & Advocacy Program

HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act

HMO: Health Management Organization

IADL: Independent Activities of Daily Living (& see ADL)

ICF: Intermediate Care Facility

ICU: Intensive Care Unit

IMCU: Intermediate Medical Care Unit

IPU: Inpatient Unit

LC: Limited Conservatorship

PPN: Licensed Practical Nurse

LPS: Lanterman-Petris Short – Mental Health Conservatorship

LVN: Licensed Vocational Nurse

MICU: Medical Intensive Care Unit

MMMNA: Minimum monthly maintenance need allowance

MMSE: Mini Mental Status Exam

NAPO: National Assn of Professional Organizers

NGA: National Guardians Association

OPG: Office of Public Guardian

PA: Physicians Assistant

PCP: Primary Care Physician

PF: Professional Fiduciary

PFAC: Professional Fiduciaries Assn of California

PDN: Private Duty Nurse

PDR: Physician’s Deck Reference

PHI: Personal Health Information

PICU: Pulmonary Intensive Care Unit

PPF: Professional Private Fiduciary

POA: Power of Attorney

P.O.L.S.T.: Physicians Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment

PT: Physical Therapy

RW: Respite Worker

RCF: Residential Care Facility

RCFE: Residential care facility for the Elderly

RCU: Respiratory Care Unit

RN: Registered Nurse

RNA: Registered nursing assistant or Rehabilitation Nursing Assistant

ROM: Range of motion

SCU: Special Care Unit

SDRC: San Diego Regional Center

SLMB: Special Low-income Medicare beneficiary

SNF: Skilled nursing facility

SNT: Special Needs Trust

SS: Social Security

SSA: Social Security Administration

SSI: Supplemental Security Income

SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance

SSP: State Supplemental Payment – augments SSI

T’tee: Trustee

USPHA: United States Public Health Admin

VA: Veterans Affairs

W&I: Welfare and Institutions Code

Read more: http://www.elder-care-services.com/blog/2011/11/06/Navigating-Senior-Care-Services-Part-1.aspx

Related posts:

1. Navigating a stay in a Rehabilitation facility
2. Home-Care Services May Become More Costly
3. Private vs. Licensed Home Care

In the height of Hurricane season: Let’s be prepared with a PLAN!

Are You Hurricane Prepared?

History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.

The goal of this Hurricane Preparedness article is to inform the public about the hurricane hazards and provide knowledge which can be used to take ACTION. This information can be used to save lives at work, home, while on the road, or on the water.

Hurricane hazards come in many forms: storm surge, high winds,  tornadoes, and flooding. This means it is important for your family to have a plan that includes all of these hazards. Look carefully at the safety actions associated with each type of hurricane hazard and prepare your family disaster plan accordingly. But remember this is only a guide. The first and most important thing anyone should do when facing a hurricane threat is to use common sense.

Checklist for “must-have” items in your house:

Drinking water for at least 3-5 days (at least 6 gallons per person)
Battery operated radio and/or TV
Battery operated clock
Flashlights or Battery operated lights.
Batteries for all of the above – A, AA, C & D sized batteries
Manual can opener
Toilet paper
Lighters or water proof matches
First Aid Kit
Extra Cash – ATMs likely not to work as they use electricity
Plastic garbage bags
Extra fuel for a generator
Ice chest
Soap
Disinfectant
Disposable plates/cups and utensils
Additional prescription medications – if you are down to a few pills, Refill Now.

If a storm is coming, make sure you do the following:

FILL the gas tank in your car.
Fill your bath tub and a sink or large container
with water.
Semi stock freezer so new meat isn’t wasted.
Have important papers and copies – insurance (home, hurricane and medical), licenses, a few checks, banking info, photos – anything you don’t want to lose or replace and need – in waterproof sealable plastic bags which you can quickly take with you if you must evacuate.
Know your evacuation routes.
Know of hotels in area and which ones take pets if applicable.
Know the shelters in your area.

Stay informed: watch the weather reports, listen to weather warnings.

Store extra non-perishable foods:
Canned tuna, sardines, salmon — pull top openings preferred
Canned fruit and vegetables
Dried fruits, nuts
Cereals, crackers, cookies, rice cakes
Peanut butter and Jelly
Prepared foods that are tasty cold — cook the things in your freezer, make spaghetti.
Juices, tea or coffee and powdered milk

We all remember Wilma – the storm is the scary part, but the aftermath, going without electricity is the harder part. Be prepared to live at least a few days or week without electricity.

Emergency phone numbers:

Emergency Management – Palm Beach County – 877-655-0495
Red Cross – 561-833-7711
Fla. Department of Insurance – 800-342-2762
Sheriff Office – 561-688-3000
Boca/Delray Sheriff – 561-278-2644

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Joseph Bensmihen, MSW, RG recently attended the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and was invited into the Congressional chamber. He met with Rep. Jim Langevin who presided over the House and with his local Congressman, Rep. Ted Deutsch.

Mr. Bensmihen is the CEO of Boca Home Care Services, Inc. and the Vice President and Chairman of the Legislative Committee of the National Private Care Association.  He frequently meets with policy makers in Washington D.C. to advocate for Seniors and people with disabilities.

What is the Americans with Disabilities Act

Signed into law in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act protects people with physical or mental disabilities from discrimination. A disability is defined as any condition that impairs one or more major life activities, and the law was expanded in 2008 to include chronic health conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy and cancer.

Rep. Jim Langevin, who is paralyzed from the chest down, presided over the House for the first time on Monday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Rhode Island Democrat, who in 2000 was the first quadriplegic  elected to the House, used a newly installed mechanical lift system to gain access to the speaker’s podium in his motorized wheelchair.

Watch the House Sessions Here

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