Glossary of Acronyms

The following acronyms may have specific connotations depending on which state or municipality they are being applied.  Medicaid and Medicare may also have separate distinctions. 

General Long-Term Care

• LTC – Long-Term Care
• ADL – Activities of Daily Living (e.g., bathing, dressing, eating)
• IADL – Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (e.g., managing money, transportation, cooking)
• SNF – Skilled Nursing Facility
• ALF – Assisted Living Facility
• ALR -Assisted Living Residences
• ILR – Independent Living Residence
• CCRC – Continuing Care Retirement Community
• HCBS – Home and Community-Based Services
• NH – Nursing Home
• SNF – Skilled Nursing Facility (inpatient rehabilitation)

Medicaid Specific

• EPD Waiver – Elderly Persons with Physical Disabilities
• Dual Eligible- Individual who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid benefits
• Services My Way – Medicaid waiver program that supports adults over 18 with disabilities and people over 65 to receive long term care services in their homes.

Workforce & Training

• CNA – Certified Nursing Assistant
• HHA – Home Health Aide
• LPN – Licensed Practical Nurse
• RN – Registered Nurse
• NP – Nurse Practitioner
• PT – Physical Therapist
• OT – Occupational Therapist
• SW – Social Worker
• DSP – Direct Support Professional
• DCW – Direct Care Worker
• PCA -Personal Care Aide
• ALCM – Aging Life Care Manager (formerly GCM – Geriatric Care Manager) 

Programs & Services

• PACE – Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
• AAA – Area Agency on Aging
• OAA – Older Americans Act
• NFCSP – National Family Caregiver Support Program

Financing & Policy

• CMS – Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• MCO – Managed Care Organization
• LTSS – Long-Term Services and Supports
• HCFA – Health Care Financing Administration (former name of CMS)
• FMAP – Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (Medicaid matching rate)
• SSI – Supplemental Security Income
• SSDI – Social Security Disability Insurance

Quality & Oversight

• OMBUDS – Long-Term Care Ombudsman (advocate for residents)
• QAPI – Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement
• MDS – Minimum Data Set (assessment tool in nursing homes)
• HEDIS – Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set

Advocacy & Research

• AARP – American Association of Retired Persons
• NASUAD / ADvancing States – National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities
• NCOA – National Council on Aging
• ACL – Administration for Community Living
• HCAOA – Home Care Association of America

DC Specific

• DOES – Department of Employment Services
• DHCF –  Department of Health Care Finance
• WIC- Workforce Investment Council
• DCHA–DC Hospital Association
• UDC- University of the District of Columbia
• DHWP– DC Healthcare Workforce Partnership
• DOH– Department of Health
• DCPS- DC Public Schools

DC Specific Regulations/Laws

• HSA – Home Support Agencies
• HCA – Home Care Agencies