Glossary

Activities of daily living (ADL):

Basic self-care activities directly related to personal care, such as bathing, grooming, using the toilet, and eating.

Durable power of attorney for health care:

A document that identifies an individual authorized to make health care treatment decisions for someone who is not cognitively able to decide for him or herself (for example if he or she is in a coma or develops severe dementia).

Emotional support:

Expressions of interest, concern, and caring from a social network that help an individual feel cared for.

Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL):

Self-care activities beyond those directly personal, required to maintain a household, such as money management, shopping, cooking, and using transportation.

Instrumental support:

Assistance with concrete problems, for example through providing transportation, cooking for someone, helping with home maintenance, and so on.

Living will (advance directive):

A legal document that specifies what measures the individual wants taken in case of severe injury or illness, should the individual be unable to speak for him or herself. For example, an individual might specify that he/she wants all possible measures taken, or that he/she wanted no extreme measures taken, etc.

Have all the information you need? Click here 
Need more information? Click here