Senior Care Glossary
Updated: Jan 2026. Use this glossary to understand terms used across the estimator and guides.
Residential care for daily living support with light medical oversight.
Specialized care for cognitive conditions with trained staff and secure units.
Facility providing 24 hour clinical oversight and skilled nursing care.
Care delivered at home, typically billed hourly by agencies.
A level that reflects care intensity and determines pricing.
Private or shared accommodations, which affect base rent.
One-time move-in or administrative fee charged by some facilities.
Assistance with medication setup, reminders, or administration.
Clinical care provided by licensed nurses, often in nursing homes.
Short-term care stays used for recovery or caregiver relief.
Basic tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility.
Tasks such as cooking, housekeeping, transportation, and finances.
How to use this glossary
- Scan terms before calling facilities to ask clearer questions.
- Use the estimator to translate terms into cost drivers.
- Compare quotes using the same care tier language.
- Clarify what is included in base rent vs add-ons.
Common fee categories
- Base rent and room type premium.
- Care tier or level-of-care add-ons.
- Medication management and wellness checks.
- Transportation and therapy services.
Ask for a written fee schedule and reassessment cadence.
Scheduled review that can move a resident to a higher or lower tier.
Document outlining daily assistance needs and staffing requirements.
The housing portion of a facility quote before care add-ons.
Single bundled price covering rent and most care services.
Price increases by care level based on assistance needed.
Each service is billed separately from base rent.
Individual caregiver hired outside a facility or agency.
Daily or weekly hours of support in home care settings.
A community that offers multiple care levels on one campus.
Secured area with staff trained in cognitive support.
Clinical setting offering medical oversight and rehab.
Structured social and wellness programming at a facility.
One-time fee for administrative or community setup.
Refundable or non-refundable payment to secure a room.
Added charge for a spouse or roommate in the same unit.
Staff member managing assessments and care plans.
Professional advisor coordinating care and placements.
End-of-life care services delivered in facilities or homes.
PT, OT, or speech therapy services billed separately.
Queue for admission when a community is at capacity.
Frequently asked questions
Which terms are most important for comparing quotes?
Focus on base rent, care tier, room type, and any required add-ons.
How should I ask about care tier changes?
Ask for the reassessment schedule and a written tier pricing table.
Do facilities define tiers the same way?
No. Always compare quotes using the same care plan and services list.