Common healthcare terms explained for non-professional carers
If you’ve recently started looking into the idea of care, it may seem extremely daunting. We know the sheer number of options available and the terminology used can be confusing and intimidating for those who are not healthcare professionals.
That’s why we invite you to have a read of this glossary of the common terms you might hear.
Types of caring roles
Domiciliary care
Domiciliary care can be great for people who need a bit of extra help but don’t require full time support. It’s the lowest level of formal care. Care professionals will visit once, twice or more a day, perhaps to remind you to take medication, to help cook or prepare your meals, feed pets or to do anything else you might find it difficult to do yourself around the house.
Respite care
Respite care is useful when you have a carer in place but they need to take a break. This might be a paid carer, or a family member or friend. Respite care will be a temporary arrangement allowing continuity of care, either at home or in a care home. This will give your regular carer the chance to take a holiday and a much needed rest.
Residential care
Residential care is an option if you need support and help around the clock. It might be that you don’t need nursing care but still struggle to live independently. Residential care homes offer ongoing care for all ages and often specialise in looking after, for example, people with dementia, mental health problems or learning difficulties.
Palliative care
Palliative care is sometimes known as end of life care. When a person is diagnosed with a terminal illness, they may be referred to a palliative care service. This will be a multi-disciplinary team made up of different specialists and nurses who will be able to help manage symptoms, look after emotional wellbeing and improve quality of life. The aim of palliative care is to help someone live as well as they can to the very end.
Hospice care
If you’re told you will receive palliative care, you may be given the option to remain in your own home or move into a hospice. A hospice will feel very different to a hospital, it is much less clinical and sterile. They tend to be very calm and tranquil and aim to provide space for you to spend time with loved ones. Hospice care will mean there are care professionals there to support and care for you 24/7, helping to manage painful symptoms and side effects.
Level of care
Assisted living
Assisted living provides a safe option for older people who want to continue to live independently but need some level of support with daily tasks. This might include reminders to take medications or help with cooking and cleaning. Assisted living facilities tend to be individual, self-contained units, but are often attached to a care home or nursing home to ensure more support is available when needed.
Live-in care
With live-in care you get one-to-one care around the clock to support your quality of life. If you prefer to stay in your own home and remain independent for as long as possible, this may be the answer. Live-in carers can support you with personal care tasks like washing and bathing a well as daily household tasks. Importantly, they also provide companionship.
If you’re considering live-in care, read 5 questions to ask a live-in care provider.
Supported living
Supported living can offer independence to those people living with learning difficulties, mental health issues or other conditions that mean they may need additional support. These can be people of any age. Supported living homes will usually be designed as a community of self-contained flats. Residents will go about much of their daily life on their own, but will often receive check-up visits and monitoring from social care services. They will also have the peace of mind that should they need it, help is at hand.
Independent living
Independent living communities – often called retirement communities – bring together older people who might want to downsize their homes and live in a safe and sociable environment. With independent living you can expect a home that offers a living area and kitchen so you can entertain in your own home. But you’ll also have access to communal spaces, done-for-you food options and an entertainment schedule. Independent living offers a high quality lifestyle for those who want to get rid of the responsibility of a larger home.
Nursing care
A nursing home or nursing care home is there for you if you are unable to continue living independently due to medical needs. A step up from a residential home, nursing home care teams are trained to offer more assistance, with a healthcare team on hand to provide medical treatment when needed and support you with personal care tasks. Due to the level of staff training and requirement for more intensive care, nursing homes will tend to be more expensive than residential care.
Adult social care
Adult social care teams offer support to keep those over the age of 18 happy, healthy and functioning in society. They are able to offer practical care and support as well as referrals to other care teams such as mental health professionals. People who are working with social carers may be in their own homes, in supported living, sheltered accommodation or even day care settings.
Care admin
Self-funded / top-up fee
Depending on the assets you own and your level of income, you will likely be required to self-fund all or part of any care you receive. Thresholds vary depending on where you live in the UK, but most people end up being responsible for at least some of their care costs.
Care assessment
When you approach a care agency or care home, one of the first steps will be to complete a care assessment. This will give care managers an idea of the level of support you require, your preferences and what you’re looking to get out of the care. At Promedica, we also talk about the kind of person you would like to provide your care, so we can try to pair you with someone who is a great fit.
Care plan
Off the back of the care assessment your care team will provide you with a care plan. This will give carers a good idea of the tasks they should be covering off and any checks they’ll need to remember. This care plan will usually be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure it continues to meet your needs.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is an important consideration for any home or agency providing care to vulnerable adults. It is a legal responsibility designed to protect people’s rights to live in safety and free from abuse or neglect. Every carer or member of a care team will need to be aware of their responsibilities with regards to safeguarding.
Support activities
PEG feeding
PEG feeding, or Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) feeding, involves passing a thin tube through the skin into the stomach. It’s a way of getting food and nutrition directly into the stomach instead of through the mouth. PEG feeding is often used where someone has trouble swallowing or can’t take in enough food or drink and can be a long-term treatment. You may be able to manage your PEG feeding yourself but it is common for care professionals to come in to support the process.
Syringe driver
A syringe driver, sometimes called a syringe pump, is sometimes used in palliative care. It is a small battery operated machine that is used to administer certain medications under the skin (subcutaneously), rather than intravenously or by mouth. This is quite common if patients are unable to absorb drugs through their gut or if they are struggling with nausea and vomiting. Syringe drivers are generally set up to deliver medicine across a 24-hour period and so will need to be checked and refilled at the same time each day. If the patient remains in their home, this task is often carried out by a visiting or domiciliary carer.
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