Angiogenesis- This is the formation of new blood vessels. It is a process controlled by certain chemicals produced in the body.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)- this refers to basic tasks of independent living such as eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, and day-to-day house chores.

Adult Day Care- Also referred to as an adult day center, which is another form of respite care. This is the best option for families who want to take care of their loved ones at home as long as possible, but need to work, handle personal things or simply need a break during the day.

Aging in Place- allows senior to stay in the same place, as they grow older.

Alzheimer's Care- Also known as memory care or dementia facility. This type of facility specializes in the treatment and care of people with Alzheimer's and Dementia as they have special needs.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD)- This is the most common form of dementia among older people. It initially involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language.

Anorexia- The loss of appetite or desire to eat.

Aneurysm- An aneurysm (AN-u-rism) is a balloon-like bulge in an artery.

Assisted Living- Also known as Residential Care for the Elderly (RCFE). This is suited for seniors who want to live independently as possible but need some help with day-to-day activities. However, they do not require 24-hoursupervision, as they don't have any serious medical condition.

Board and Care- Commonly referred to as residential care or foster homes. This is an option for seniors that need 24-hour non-medical assistance to perform day-to-day activities such as eating, toileting, bathing, grooming, walking and laundry. Nursing services and additional services may also be available.

Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT)- procedure that restore stem cells that have been destroyed by high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Cachexia- A wasting syndrome that causes weakness and a loss of weight, fat, and muscle.

Cancer- It is a term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. Please read An Overview of Cancer for more information.

Chemotherapy- Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. It works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells, which grow and divide quickly.

Congregate living health facility- a residential home with a capacity of no more than 12 beds (except those operated by a city or county which may have a capacity of 59 beds), that provides inpatient care. The primary need of congregate living health facility residents shall be for availability of skilled nursing care on a recurring, intermittent, extended, or continuous basis. This care is generally less intense than that provided in general acute care hospitals but more intense than that provided in skilled nursing facilities.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities- Typically referred to as CCRCs or life care retirement communities. This is perfect for seniors who want to age in the same place as it offers flexible accommodations that are intended to meet the needs and wants of seniors which change overtime. Thus, not having to worry about moving.

Cryosurgery- also called cryotherapy is the use of extreme cold produced by liquid nitrogen (or argon gas) to destroy abnormal tissue. Cryosurgery is used to treat external tumors, such as those on the skin.

Dementia- refers to a group of illnesses that involve memory, behavior, learning, and communicating problems. The problems are progressive, which means they slowly get worse.

Dementia Facility- Please see Alzheimer's Care.

Depression- An illness that brings a persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood, feelings of hopelessness and pessimism, and other symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat and enjoy once pleasurable activities.

Diabetes- It is a life-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. It can be caused by too little insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar), resistance to insulin, or both.

Dialysis- A treatment that takes waste products and extra fluid out of your body.

Erectile dysfunction- It is sometimes called "impotence," is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.

Gene therapy- It is an experimental treatment that involves introducing genetic material (DNA or RNA) into a person's cells to fight disease.

Geriatric care managers- Specially trained people who help families care for older relatives. They also help make life easier for seniors.

Home Care- Also known as in-home care or domiciliary care. The term Home Care is used to describe a non-medical service provided in the comfort of one's own home.

Home Health Care- This is ideal for seniors who want to remain in the comfort of their own homes but require medical assistance from licensed healthcare professionals. This service is presecribed by a doctor.

Hyperthermia- also called thermal therapy or thermotherapy. It is a type of cancer treatment in which body tissue is exposed to high temperatures (up to 113°F). Research has shown that high temperatures can damage.

Independent Living- Also referred to as Retirement Communities. This is ideal for healthy and active seniors who want to live independently as they want liberty and flexibility with their day-to-day activities. Seniors who choose this option typically do not need medical assistance.

Intermediate care facility- a health facility or a distinct part of a hospital or skilled nursing facilitythat provides inpatient care to patients who need skilled nursing supervision and supportive care. However, these patients do not require continuous nursing care.

Laser therapy- a way treat cancer and other illnesses by using a high-intensity light.

Medicaid- A government health insurance that helps many low-income people in the United States to pay their medical bills. Although the Federal government establishes general guidelines for the program, each state has its own rules. Your state might require you to pay a small part of the cost for some medical services.

Medicare- It is a U.S. government's health insurance program for people age 65 or older. Certain people under age 65 can qualify for Medicare, too, including those with disabilities, permanent kidney failure or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Memory Care- Please see Alzheimer's Care.

Nursing Homes- Commonly referred to as SNFs. These facilities provide 24 hours a day, 7 days a week nursing care for seniors with serious medical conditions.

Osteoporosis- A disease in which the bones become weak and are more likely to break. People with osteoporosis most often break bones in the hip, spine, and wrist.

Parkinson's disease (PD)- This is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. See Parkinson's Disease Overview for more information.

Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT)- procedure that restore stem cells that have been destroyed by high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT)- This is another type of cancer treatment that uses lasers. In PDT, a certain drug, called a photosensitizer or photosensitizing agent, is injected into a patient and absorbed by cells all over the patient’s body.

Radiation Therapy- Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy, x-ray therapy, or irradiation) is the use of a certain type of energy (called ionizing radiation) to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.

Residential Care- Please see Assisted Living.

Skilled Nursing Facilities- Please see Nursing Homes.