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Glossary

Elder care A broad range of services provided to seniors whether they live independently at home or are in residential care facilities. These include health-related services, e.g., skilled nursing, rehabilitative therapies and social services along with palliative care and personal care for those who need assistance with daily tasks.

Elder Law / Elder Law Attorney Elder Law is a legal term that refers to an area of legal practice that deals with the wide range of issues that affect the growing aging population. An elder law attorney is a lawyer who specializes in the laws that deal with the rights and issues of the health, finances and well being of the elderly and the power of other individuals and the government to control them.

Emergency Monitoring System (Personal Emergency Response System, PERS) An electronic device, often worn as a bracelet or pendant, used in emergency situations by elderly and frail individuals. Touching the alarm button on the device activates a PERS alarm. The alarm signals a 24-hour emergency response center where an operator attempts to establish two-way contact with the client and dispatches appropriate help.

Entitlement programs Government programs that require payment to anyone who meets specific qualifications such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps, and the like.

Entitlements An entitlement is a guarantee of access to benefits established by law. Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid all are entitlements especially relevant to seniors.

Estate Planning The process by which an individual arranges their affairs to maximize the values of their estate and give consideration to what should be included in their will. An estate plan requires guidance from professionals such as lawyers and financial planners.