Caregiving:
Learning the Language

Remember the joy of finding the Secret Decoder Ring in your cereal box? And then the wait for Captain Midnight to give the secret message, which usually translated into something about drinking Ovaltine?

If you are caring for an older parent or family member, you may feel you need a secret decoder to understand the social service and health care world. "What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?" "They asked if he needed help in ADLs." "Why would they recommend mom move to a Sniff?" Do questions like this come to your mind?

Although those of us providing services try to avoid colloquialisms and acronyms, we still slip. If you are trying to find needed services, the acronyms, abbreviations, and phrases may be frustrating. Even more difficult is when you know you want "something" when you have trouble trying to verbalize your request.

In answer to the questions above, Medicare is the federal health insurance program for older individuals and disabled who have paid into the Medicare system through payroll deductions. Medicaid is a government-sponsored program administered by the County Departments of Jobs and Family Services. Medicaid helps low-income disabled, children and older adults with medical care.

ADLs are "Activities of Daily Living," which are the basic personal activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, and toileting. Needing help with ADLs, which can vary from hands-on assistance to verbal prompting, is often used as criteria for some in home services.

A "sniff" is really SNF, or Skilled Nursing Facility, following a hospitalization for an illness or injury, a person may receive short-term rehabilitation and therapy in a Skilled Nursing Facility.

If you are having trouble understanding the different programs and eligibility requirements call the Family Caregiver Support Program for information and assistance at 216-621-8010 or 1-800-581-6884.