Glossary
The words you will hear, in plain terms.
Homes, agencies and care teams use a lot of shorthand. These are the terms that come up most often in Washington.
- Activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Everyday self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, using the toilet and moving from a bed to a chair. Programs such as WA Cares use the number of ADLs someone needs help with to decide eligibility.
- Adult family home
- A licensed residential home that provides care, meals and a room to between two and six adults, or up to eight with state approval. Read more about Adult family home
- Apple Health
- Washington's Medicaid program. Apple Health long-term care can pay for care at home and in adult family homes, assisted living and nursing homes for people who qualify financially and functionally. Read more about Apple Health
- Assisted living facility
- A licensed community, generally for seven or more residents, that provides housing, basic services and help with daily activities. Read more about Assisted living facility
- Continuing care retirement community (CCRC)
- A campus with independent living and one or more levels of care. CCRCs are not state-licensed in Washington, though they must register with DSHS to call themselves registered. Read more about Continuing care retirement community (CCRC)
- Discharge planner
- A hospital or rehabilitation staff member who helps plan a patient's move out of the facility, including where they will go and what support they will need.
- DSHS
- The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Its Residential Care Services division licenses and inspects adult family homes, assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
- Enhanced services facility
- A licensed residential setting for people with complex personal care and behavioral needs, including some people leaving state psychiatric hospitals.
- Home care agency
- An agency licensed by the Department of Health to provide non-medical help at home, such as personal care, housekeeping and respite. Read more about Home care agency
- Home health agency
- An agency licensed by the Department of Health to provide health services at home, such as nursing, therapy and home health aide services. Read more about Home health agency
- Hospice
- Care focused on comfort for a person with a terminal illness. Hospice teams can visit people where they live, including many care homes.
- Inspection report
- The state's written record of an inspection or complaint investigation at a licensed home. Reports for adult family homes, assisted living and nursing homes are public in the DSHS lookups.
- Long-term care ombudsman
- An advocate for residents of adult family homes, assisted living and nursing homes. Washington's program can help residents and families resolve concerns.
- Memory care
- Care designed for people living with dementia. Since July 1, 2026, assisted living facilities operating memory care must hold a DSHS memory care certification. Read more about Memory care
- Nursing home
- A licensed facility with 24-hour supervised nursing care, for short-term rehabilitation or long-term care. Also called a skilled nursing facility. Read more about Nursing home
- Private pay
- Paying for care from personal funds, such as savings, income or the sale of a home, rather than through a public program or insurance.
- Referral agency
- A business that refers older adults to care homes or care providers. Washington's Elder and Vulnerable Adult Referral Agency Act, chapter 18.330 RCW, sets rules for these agencies, including written disclosures to clients before a referral.
- Respite care
- Short-term care that gives a family caregiver a break, at home or with a short stay in a care home.
- WA Cares Fund
- Washington's public long-term care insurance program. Benefits became available on July 1, 2026, for people who meet its contribution and care-need requirements. Read more about WA Cares Fund
Talk it through
Bring your questions to a conversation.
Leave your contact details and our team will follow up. You can also email hello@acuitysenioradvisors.com.