CNA vocab

Elderly

advanced age

Geriatrics

Branch of medicine or social science dealing with the health and care of older people

Gerontology

Scientific study of older age, process of aging, and problems of older adults

Health-Care Team

Group of professionals from different backgrounds who work together to provide patient-centered care

Job Application

Official form employers ask applicants to complete that lists their employment history, educational background, degrees, qualifications, and references to be considered for a job

Job Description

Outline of expected job duties

Personal Values

Things that are important to individuals about the way they live or work; determine your priorities

Physical Therapist

Healthcare professional trained to evaluate and treat individuals with conditions or injuries limiting their ability to move and do physical activities

Physician's Authority

Ability of a physician (MD or DO) to diagnose, prescribe, and administer treatment to individuals suffering from injury or disease

Privacy

Ability of an individual or group to seclude themselves or information about themselves

Regulation

Rule or directive made and maintained by an authority

Resident (Client) Belongings

Items belonging to the resident

Resident's (Client) Chart

Complete record of clinical data and medical history

Residents (Clients)

Person who lives in a long-term care setting

Residents Bill of Rights

Rights identified in OBRA that related to how residents must be treated while living in a long-term care setting; ethical code of conduct for healthcare workers

Rights

Legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlement

Skilled Care Facility

Facility where individuals receive medically necessary care from a skilled nurse, therapist, or other specialist

Social Worker

Professional who helps individuals, families, groups, and communities to enhance well-being

Terminology

Special words or expressions used related to a particular subject or activity

Well-being

State of being comfortable, healthy, and happy

Appropriate Response

A reaction or action that is professional, respectful, and aligns with their scope of practice

Authorized Duty

A specific duty or type of duty that an employer grants approval for a healthcare professional to perform

Dependability

Quality of being able to be counted or relied upon

Disrespect

Lack of respect or courtesy

Facility Policy

A set of rules, guidelines, and procedures established by an organization to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with legal and regulatory standards

Holistic Care

caring for the individual's body and mind

Job Interview

A formal meeting between a job applicant and an employer to assess qualifications, skills, and suitability for a position

Nursing Assistant's (Nurse Aide) (NA) Role

A trained healthcare worker who provides basic care and support to residents or patients under the supervision of a licensed nurse

Partial Assistance

A level of support provided to an individual who can perform some tasks independently but requires help with certain activities due to physical, cognitive, or medical limitations

Professionalism

The conduct, behavior, and attitude expected of a person in a professional setting, conducting oneself with responsibility, integrity, accountability, and excellence

Renewal

Resuming an activity after interruption

Resident (client) Centered Care

An approach to caregiving that prioritizes the preferences, needs, and values of the individual receiving care. It emphasizes respect, dignity, and personalized support to enhance the quality of life for residents

Resident (Client) Independence

Individual's ability to care for themselves

Resident (Client) Pictures

Images of the individual

Resident (Client) Treatment

Special form of inpatient care in a long-term care setting

Resident (client) Trust

The confidence and sense of security a resident or client has in their caregivers, built through consistent, respectful, and compassionate care

Role

Pattern behavior or a person's status or job in the healthcare setting

Scope of Practice

The legal and professional boundaries within which a healthcare worker is allowed to perform duties based on their training, education, and certification

Sterile

Completely free from all bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms that could cause infection

Independent Living

Provides a combination of housing, personalized supportive services, and health care designed to meet the needs of seniors who are capable of living independently without assistance with daily tasks.

Home Health Care Agencies

Organizations that provide health care in the home. They may provide medical and non-medical services to individuals in their homes.

Adult Day Care

Provides structured day programs for seniors, including stimulation and social activities. Many also provide rehabilitation services for the elderly who are emotionally and/or physically disabled.

Assisted Living Facility

Provides a combination of housing, personalized supportive services, and health care designed to meet the needs of seniors who need help with activities of daily living. 

Nursing Homes

Provides a wide range of health and personal care services for residents who require 24-hour supervision and care but do not need to be hospitalized and cannot be cared for at home.

Hospice Care

Designed to give supportive care to people in the final phase of a terminal illness, who typically have 6 months or less to live. Hospice focuses on comfort and quality of life rather than a cure. 

Continuum of Care

Services that assist individuals throughout a wide range of health care requirements. These may include Independent Living, Assisted Living, Nursing Care, Hospice, Home Care, and Community-Based Services. 

Rehabilitation Agencies

Provides an integrated multidisciplinary program designed to help individuals with disabilities or health conditions regain their physical, mental, and cognitive abilities to improve their overall functioning and quality of life.

Hospitals

Provide medical and surgical treatment and nursing care for sick or injured individuals. 

Dementia and Memory Care

A distinct form of long-term care that is specifically designed for people with varying degrees of dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other types of memory loss

Aging

Time-related changes in the body

Aging Process

Biological process of growing older

Dermatitis

Inflammation of the skin, typically causing redness, swelling, itching, and irritation

Vocabulary

Words related to healthcare

Basic Needs (Basic Human needs)

Physical, mental, emotional, and social requirements for humans

Body Language

Conscious and unconscious messages your body sends during communication; includes facial expressions, shrugging shoulders, wringing hands

Call Light

Device used by individuals to signal they need assistance from professional staff

Communication

Process of exchanging information between two individuals by sending and receiving messages

Confidentiality

A rule that protects the privacy of information shared between the individual and healthcare professionals

Emotional Needs

Psychological or mental requirements centered around basic feelings like love, fear, anger, and anxiety

Essential Behaviors

Behaviors that must be satisfied and met

Gestures

Use of motions of the limbs or body to express oneself

HIPAA

Federal laws requiring health information to be kept private and secure and that organizations take special steps to protect this information

Interpersonal Skills

Abilities that allow a person to interact positively and work effectively with others

Invasion of Privacy

Violation of the right to be left alone and to control one's personal information

Physical Needs

Needs critical to the survival of the human body; water, air, food, warmth, sex, sleep, and the disposal of bodily waste

Maslow (Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs)

Psychologist who created the Hierarchy of Needs to explain human behavior

Medical Record

Written account of an individual's examinations and treatments that includes medical history and complaints, physical findings, results of testing and procedures, medication, and therapeutic procedures

Non-verbal Communication

Communicating without words, also known as body language

Open-Ended Questions

Questions that encourage detailed responses rather than a simple "yes" or "no" answer. Used in interviews, conversations, and assessments to gather deeper information

Resident's (clients) Families

People related to the individual by birth, marriage, or adoption

Respectful Treatment

Showing consideration for the individual's interests and well-being

Sexual Needs

Needs of an individual related to their sexual being

Sharing Information

Exchanging information between two workers

Social Needs

In Maslow's hierarchy, includes things such as love, acceptance, and belonging

Telephone (Phone) Etiquette

Being respectful to a person you are talking to on the phone

Abandonment

To leave completely without notice

Abuse

Purposeful mistreatment causing emotional, mental, or physical pain or injury to an individual

Accountable

Being obligated to explain, justify, and take responsibility for your actions; to answer to someone

Ethics

Knowledge of right and wrong; moral principles or standards used to decide the correct action to take

Etiquette

Code of ethical behavior that healthcare professionals follow when interacting with individuals

Gifts

Something voluntarily transferred from one person to another without compensation

Mistakes

Mishap occuring during a healthcare intervention or task

Mistreatment

The unfair, abusive, or harmful treatment of a person often resulting in physical, emotional, or psychological harm

Ombudsman

A neutral and independent representative who investigates and resolves complaints, ensuring fairness and accountability in organizations, government agencies, or healthcare facilities.

Resident (Client) Rights

Rights guaranteed by the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Law; includes the right to receive adequate care

Refusal

Act of refusing or denying

Seclusion

State of being private and away from other people

Slander

Action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation

Stealing

To take something from an individual without their knowledge or consent

Stereotypes

Biased generalization about a group that is usually based on opinions and distorted ideas

Tips

Providing a small amount of extra money to a person who has provided a service

Workplace Violence

Any act of physical harm, threats, harassment, or intimidation that occurs in a work setting

Chain of Command

A hierarchical structure of authority in which orders and responsibilities are passed from higher levels of leadership to lower levels

Group Settings

Situation where personal care aide service provider furnishes the same type of services to two or three individuals at the same location or address

Helping Residents

Offering care and assistance to individuals

Policy Book

Book that details the rules and actions to be followed

Electrical Equipment

Devices or machines that use electricity to operate

Evacuation

To empty or void; also the emergency transport of one or more people

Fire Safety

Set of practices intended to reduce the destruction caused by fire

First Aid

Emergency care provided to an injured or ill individual until help arrives