Memory care glossary
Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a Memory Care provider in Greater New Haven Memory Care.
- What are activities of daily living (ADLs)?
- Activities of daily living (ADLs) are basic self-care tasks-bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, eating, and managing continence-used to evaluate care needs and assistance levels in memory care facilities.
- What are instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)?
- Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are complex daily tasks such as managing finances, taking medications, preparing food, and arranging transportation that require cognitive planning and organizational skills, distinguishing them from basic self-care activities (ADLs).
- What is a Certified Dementia Practitioner?
- A Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) is a caregiver or healthcare worker who has completed specialized training and passed an exam through the National Association of Certified Dementia Practitioners, demonstrating knowledge of dementia behavior, communication, and person-centered care techniques.
- What is a chronic and convalescent nursing home?
- A chronic and convalescent nursing home (CCNH) is a Connecticut-licensed skilled nursing facility providing 24-hour medical care, nursing services, and rehabilitation to residents with acute or chronic health conditions, including specialized memory care units for those with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
- What is a CMS five-star quality rating?
- The CMS five-star rating system is a federal grading system that evaluates skilled nursing and long-term care facilities across three domains: health inspections, staffing ratios, and quality measures, with ratings ranging from one to five stars.
- What is a level of care assessment?
- A level of care assessment is an evaluation that measures a resident's cognitive decline, physical health status, and daily living capabilities to determine which tier of memory care services they require.
- What is a long-term care ombudsman?
- A long-term care ombudsman is a state-appointed advocate who investigates complaints and resolves disputes on behalf of residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care settings.
- What is a Managed Residential Community?
- A Managed Residential Community is a Connecticut state housing license category that permits residential facilities to provide assisted living and memory care services, regulated by the Department of Public Health.
- What is a memory box?
- A memory box is a framed display mounted outside a resident's door in a memory care community, typically containing photos, keepsakes, and personal items that help the resident recognize their room and reflect their life story.
- What is a redirection technique?
- A redirection technique is a caregiving method that steers a resident's focus from agitation or repetitive behavior toward a different, usually calming activity to ease distress.
- What is a residential care home license in Connecticut?
- A Connecticut residential care home (RCH) is a state-licensed facility housing three or more unrelated adults who need personal care, supervision, or assistance with daily living but not skilled nursing care.
- What is a secured memory care unit?
- A secured memory care unit is a locked residential floor or wing where individuals with dementia receive 24-hour supervision, with controlled exits and staff trained in behavior management and cognitive decline.
- What is a snoezelen room?
- A snoezelen room is a multisensory therapy environment that uses soft lighting, gentle sounds, and textured surfaces to reduce agitation and provide sensory stimulation for people with advanced dementia.
- What is an Alzheimer's special care unit disclosure?
- A required Connecticut document that memory care facilities must provide to prospective residents and families detailing their dementia-specific care staff, therapeutic programming, and physical environment features.
- What is an Assisted Living Services Agency (ALSA)?
- An Assisted Living Services Agency (ALSA) is a Connecticut-licensed entity that contracts with memory care residences to deliver personal care, medication support, and activities of daily living assistance to residents, holding its own separate state license distinct from the housing operator's license.
- What is BPSD (behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia)?
- BPSD is the clinical term for behavioral and psychological symptoms that occur in dementia, including agitation, aggression, hallucinations, and mood disturbances.
- What is cueing in memory care?
- Cueing is the use of verbal, visual, or tactile prompts to guide residents with memory loss through daily activities like eating, dressing, or hygiene tasks.
- What is elopement in memory care?
- Elopement is when a resident with cognitive impairment leaves a secured memory care unit without permission or staff awareness, creating an immediate safety risk.
- What is person-centered care?
- Person-centered care is a care philosophy that honors an individual's unique history, preferences, and daily routines as the foundation for support, rather than fitting residents into fixed institutional schedules.
- What is reminiscence therapy?
- Reminiscence therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses photographs, music, and personal life stories to stimulate long-term memory and reduce behavioral distress in people with dementia or memory loss.
- What is sundowning?
- Sundowning is a pattern of increased agitation, confusion, and behavioral changes that occur in late afternoon or early evening, commonly observed in people with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
- What is the household model of care?
- A residential care design organized around small home-like neighborhoods with shared kitchens, consistent caregiver assignments, and community spaces that mimics family living rather than institutional ward layouts.
- What is validation therapy?
- Validation therapy is a communication approach that accepts and affirms a dementia resident's emotional experience and perspective rather than correcting or arguing about factual errors or confusion.
- What is wandering in dementia care?
- Wandering is aimless or repetitive walking, common in people with dementia, where the individual moves with unclear intent or direction and may not recognize or remember why they started walking.