Definitions: C

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Care Manager
A professional who plans, locates, monitors and coordinates appropriate social and medical services for those that are not able to fully care for themselves due to a disability or functional limitation. Also known as a case manager. Often a nurse or social worker.
Caregiver
A broad term used to refer to an individual who provides care to another individual who cannot care for him or herself due to a disability or functional limitation. This individual could provide nonmedical care such as help with bathing or eating or he/she could provide medically necessary care such as changing dressings. The care may be provided informally by a relative, friend or neighbor or by a paid individual who may or may not be a licensed professional.
Caregiving
Refers to services provided to individuals who are unable to fully care for themselves due to a disability or functional limitation. These services can be provided informally by a family member or friend or more formally by a paid professional such as a home health aide, nurse or therapist.
Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
The federal department that administers Medicare programs and works with states to administer Medicaid.
Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
An assistant who is certified to provide general nursing care under the direction of a registered nurse or therapist. They help with every aspect of nursing care as well as provide daily personal care to patients such as bathing, eating, and exercising in a variety of settings. Also referred to as a nurse assistant.
Chronic disease
A disease or condition that lasts over a long period of time and typically cannot be cured, often associated with a disability.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
A group of chronic disorders that restrict flow of air into and out of the lungs. Disorder examples include asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and bronchiectasis.
Cognition
The mental processes of recognizing, learning, understanding, remembering and evaluating relevant information and speaking.
Co-morbidities
Multiple conditions or diseases occurring in the body concurrently.
Companionship
Services that offer homebound visitation to older adults for conversation, reading and light errands for the purpose of relieving loneliness and providing social contact.
Compression Hosiery
Special stockings which prevent swelling, provide comfort and promote circulation of blood in the feet and legs in order to reduce the incidence problems associated with poor circulation.
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
A condition caused by the inability of the heart to maintain adequate circulation of blood due to lack of strength or other factors.
Congregate Housing
Retirement hotels, inns, boarding homes and other similar residential facilities where low-income older adults and/or people with disabilities can live independently on their own, usually in one building, share common areas, social activities and amenities and eat most meals in a communal dining area.
Congregate Meals
Group meals served at facilities such as senior centers to promote health and social interaction.
Conservator
An individual or public or private agency appointed by a court to provide legal representation for an individual who can no longer manage his or her own affairs.
Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRCs)
A residential community that offers a continuum of care from private apartments to skilled nursing care at the same location. It is designed to meet changing needs while allowing residents to avoid relocating.
Convalescent Home
State-licensed facilities that provide a safe, therapeutic environment for individuals who require rehabilitative care or can no longer live independently due to functional or cognitive impairment. Also known as skilled nursing facilities or nursing homes.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
A form of heart disease that is characterized by narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to the heart muscle preventing an adequate flow of blood and interrupting the supply of oxygen and other nutrients the heart requires.
Custodial Care
Board, room or personal care services that do not include a skilled nursing care component.