Glossary of Home Care Terms

24-Hour Home Care: Around-the-clock in-home care provided by caregivers rotating in shifts — typically 8 or 12 hours each — so there is always someone awake and present. This is different from live-in care, where a single caregiver resides in the home with a designated sleep period. Learn more about 24-hour home care.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Basic tasks essential for day-to-day functioning, including bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, mobility, and toileting. A loved one’s ability to perform ADLs independently is often used to determine their level of care needs.

Aging in Place: The choice to remain in one’s own home as they grow older, rather than moving to an assisted living facility or nursing home. In-home care supports aging in place by providing professional assistance in familiar surroundings.

Alzheimer’s Disease: A progressive neurodegenerative disease that destroys memory and other mental functions, including communication, behavior, and thinking. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. Learn more about Alzheimer’s and dementia care.

Care Plan (Plan of Care): A written document that outlines the specific services, tasks, and goals for a client’s care. CareLiving develops an individualized care plan for each client based on a free in-home assessment conducted by our Director of Nursing.

Caregiver (CareLiver): A trained professional who provides non-medical in-home support, including personal care, companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and transportation. At CareLiving, we call our caregivers CareLivers. Learn more about our caregivers.

CCC Plus Waiver (Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus): Virginia’s primary Medicaid managed care program for seniors and individuals with disabilities who require a nursing facility level of care. The CCC Plus Waiver covers the cost of personal care services in the home for those who qualify. CareLiving is credentialed with Anthem, Sentara, Humana, and Aetna under the CCC Plus program.

Companion Care: Non-medical support focused on emotional wellbeing, socialization, and daily assistance. Common companion care activities include conversation, games and mental stimulation, meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands, and transportation. Learn more about companion care.

Dementia: An umbrella term for a range of conditions characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form. Learn more about memory care at home.

End-of-Life Care: In-home support for individuals with a terminal diagnosis who wish to spend their final days at home. CareLiving works alongside hospice agencies and medical providers to provide compassionate care for both the client and their family. Learn more about end-of-life care.

Home Care / In-Home Care: Non-medical care provided in a person’s home, including companionship, personal care, and homemaking services. This is distinct from home health, which involves skilled nursing or therapy services.

Home Health: Skilled medical care provided in the home, including nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Home health is typically ordered by a physician and covered by Medicare or insurance.

Hospice Care: Specialized comfort care for individuals with a terminal illness who are no longer seeking curative treatment. Hospice focuses on pain management, quality of life, and family support. In-home caregivers often work alongside hospice teams.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): Higher-level tasks that support independent living, including shopping, managing finances, household chores, meal preparation, and transportation. Difficulty with IADLs is often an early sign that additional support may be needed.

Live-In Care: A care arrangement where a caregiver resides in the client’s home. Unlike 24-hour shift care, a live-in caregiver has a designated sleep period. Learn more about live-in home care.

Managed Care Organization (MCO): A health plan that manages Medicaid benefits for enrolled members. In Virginia, MCOs that administer CCC Plus home care benefits include Anthem, Sentara, Humana, and Aetna.

Memory Care: Specialized care designed to meet the needs of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other memory-related conditions. Learn more about memory care at home.

Overnight Home Care: Professional caregiver support provided during nighttime hours — typically 8pm to 8am — for seniors who need supervision after dark but are independent during the day. Learn more about overnight home care.

Palliative Care: Medical care focused on relieving pain, symptoms, and stress for seriously ill patients. Unlike hospice, palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatment at any stage of illness.

Parkinson’s Disease: A neurodegenerative disorder affecting movement, often beginning with tremors in one hand. Parkinson’s progresses over time and may require increasing levels of in-home support. Learn more about Parkinson’s care.

Personal Care: Hands-on assistance with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility. Learn more about personal care services.

Respite Care: Temporary relief for family caregivers provided by a professional caregiver. Respite care allows primary caregivers to rest, travel, or attend to other responsibilities without leaving their loved one without support. Learn more about respite care.

Skilled Nursing: Medical care provided by a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). CareLiving’s Director of Nursing conducts in-home assessments and oversees care plans for all clients.

Stroke Recovery Care: In-home support for individuals recovering from a stroke, including assistance with mobility, personal care, medication reminders, and transportation to follow-up appointments. Learn more about stroke recovery care.

Sundowning (Sundowner’s Syndrome): A pattern of increased confusion, agitation, or restlessness that occurs in the late afternoon or evening, most commonly in individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Overnight and 24-hour care are often recommended for seniors who experience sundowning.

Transitional Care / Post-Hospital Care: In-home support for individuals returning home after a hospital stay, surgery, or rehabilitation facility. Transitional care reduces the risk of readmission and supports a safe recovery at home. Learn more about post-hospital care or transitional care.

Veterans Benefits: Financial assistance available to eligible veterans and surviving spouses that may cover the cost of in-home care. Programs include the VA Aid & Attendance benefit. Learn more about veterans care.