ADLs include bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring (from bed to chair), and continence. Insurance companies use ADLs to determine eligibility for Long Term Care benefits. A policy will state the number of ADLs which require assistance in order for the policy to pay, usually two out of six. Cognitive impairment is also another trigger to benefits.

Care provided by a doctor or other medical professional designed to treat or cure an illness, injury or condition.

A facility providing Long Term Care to adults during the day. Some follow a social model with limited health services and others follow a medical model with some medical services available.

Area Agencies on Aging are planning and service organizations with local chapters. Nationwide, they are charged with coordination services to older Americans and can provide valuable information and resources. To find an Agency in your area click www.n4a.org.

This is a facility, either independent, connected with a hospital or care center, or on the campus of retirement communities that provides 24-hour custodial care. They may provide daily meals, dispense medications and assist with activities of daily living. Staffed by trained or certified aides, they are supervised by either a resident or on call physician.

The benefit period is the length of time a Long Term Care policy will pay benefits, usually expressed in years. An exception would be if your policy were based upon a "pool of money" concept. These are reimbursement policies that, should you not use the entire pool, could possibly extend your policy beyond the stated benefit period.

A company or individual providing information on Long Term Care and care giving issues. See the Resources section for more information and links to services available.

These are individuals trained or certified to provide care in most circumstances and are supervised by a Registered Nurse.

There is a vast range of conditions and diseases that encompass cognitive impairment. Alzheimer's disease and dementia are the most common. These kinds of conditions are a trigger for benefits on a Long Term Care policy. Most policies cover these kinds of conditions. Custodial Care

Services aimed at maintaining health and/or preventing deterioration of a chronic condition. This is the most common type of care provided in assisted living and nursing care facilities. It is a type of care covered by most policies, but is not generally covered by Medicare benefits.

The Long Term Care policy's daily benefit is the greatest amount your policy will pay for a single day of care. For example, if the daily benefit you selected is $100, and the care you receive in a given day costs $120, you would have to pay the additional $20. Some policies have a weekly or monthly benefit instead of a daily. This allows more flexibility in care if you use services less often than daily. Additionally, some policies will pay the daily benefit regardless of the cost of care. See Indemnity vs. Reimbursement.

This is a document that authorizes one person to act as an agent for another, also called an attorney in fact. Unlike a general power of attorney, a durable power of attorney remains valid even if the principal becomes incapacitated or incompetent. It helps ensure that spouses will not have difficulty in managing joint assets should one become incapacitated.

This is a wide variety of services to provide either skilled or custodial nursing care, physical therapy or assistance with activities of daily living. The person who provides care can be either associated with an agency or independent. It can also include non-medical services such as housekeeping, money management or meal preparation.

This is an optional rider to a Long Term Care policy which increases daily benefits over time. They are designed to keep daily benefits up with the rising cost of care. See Inflation Adjustment.

Care you receive at home from friends, a spouse or other relatives who are not health care professionals. Some Long Term Care policies include benefits to pay for caregivers to obtain professional training.

This is a medical assistance program financed jointly by state and Federal governments. It is a means-tested program available to those with limited income and assets. This has no relationship to Medicare which is available regardless of financial need to most people age 65 or older or with certain disabilities.

This is private insurance that works hand in hand with Medicare. These policies fill the gap of benefits that Medicare does not pay, such as deductibles and other non-covered Medicare benefits. Medicare Supplement policies, also known as Medigap policies, DO NOT cover custodial care, the most common type of care required.

A licensed facility providing 24-hour nursing care under a doctor's supervision. Typically they provide both skilled and custodial care.

Medical conditions that existed, were diagnosed, or were under treatment prior to applying for insurance. If conditions are severe enough, it is possible that coverage will not be approved. If the policy is issued, some policies (not all) may limit benefits for a period of time (6 months to 1 year) for conditions related to the pre-existing condition.

The process undertaken by insurance companies to determine the risk of loss presented by an insurance policy applicant, based upon health history. Most companies thoroughly review health records prior to approving a policy. Sometimes, certain companies perform a more thorough underwriting process after a claim is submitted, which is called post-claim underwriting. Beware of any company that engages in this process.