Glossary

The acronym for advance directive.

A person legally appointed to manage and dispose of the estate of an intestate, deceased person, debtor, or other individual, or of an insolvent company.

A written statement of a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment to ensure those wishes are carried out if the person becomes unable to communicate them to a doctor. Also known as advance health care directive.

A written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in a court of law.

When used in the context of a death, the care for the survivors.

The ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.

The acronym advance health care directive.

A company or service used to provide a value

Property deemed to have value owned by a person or business.

A financial planning strategy intended to protect one’s assets from creditor claims.

Residences with professional staff designed for seniors who may need additional help with everyday tasks.

A person who derives advantage from something, especially a trust, will, or life insurance policy.

The range of activities intended to improve patient care and reduce the need for medical services by helping patients and caregivers more effectively manage health conditions.

Acronym for continuing care retirement community.

A federal agency that administers the Medicare program and works with states to administer the Medicaid program.

Acronym for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

A testamentary or supplementary document similar to a will.

The combined property that spouses or domestic partners own together. Community property states divide assets and debts equally between the partners.

A person under conservatorship.

A guardian or a protector appointed by a judge to manage the financial affairs and/or daily life of another due to physical or mental limitations, or old age.

A long-term care option for older people who want to stay in the same place through different phases of the aging process.

A method of final disposition of a dead body through burning.

Relating to having responsibility for another person.

A payout to a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or other financial vehicle when the insured dies.

A not-for-profit organization-led meeting where people gather to socialize and discuss death.

Relating to or providing products or services for the burial or cremation of the dead.

A person who provides death care advice based on formal training.

The legal death declaration document that includes personal decedent information and cause of death.

A person who has died.

A legal instrument in writing which passes, affirms or confirms an interest, right or property that is signed, attested, delivered, and in some jurisdictions, sealed. Also known as a title.

Anything that exists in a digital format and their associated value that comes with the right to use.

Electronic information someone either creates or owns.

Death caused by a disaster (typically a natural disaster like earthquakes, floods, etc.)

Acronym for durable power of attorney.

Refers to a power of attorney that remains in effect until the death of the principal or the document is revoked.

Acronym for electronic health record.

Acronym for Employment Identification Number.

A comprehensive strategy that helps define a senior’s wishes and assists designated caregivers in handling the physical, personal, and financial affairs of a senior aging into the last phases of life.

An area of legal practice that specializes in issues that affect the aging population.

A digital version of a patient’s paper chart which is in real-time.

Non-wage compensation to employees. Companies may provide monetary death benefits to survivors.

An IRS form sometimes required for managing an estate after a death.

The ownership transfer of unclaimed assets or property to the state, typically when there are no heirs or a will.

The totality of a person’s assets minus liabilities including miscellaneous belongings.

The process of collecting information and managing an estate.

A legal term referring to a person appointed by a court to administer the estate of a deceased person who left no will.

The process of arranging the management and disposal of a person’s estate during the person’s life and after death, while minimizing gift, estate, generation skipping transfer, and income tax.

An event where belongings from a residence or estate are sold. Also known as a tag sale.

A person responsible for carrying out the decedent’s wishes as described in their will.

A type of probate or fiduciary bond ensuring decedent’s estates are handled appropriately.

The retirement system for United States civil service employees. Effective January 1, 1987, it replaced the the Civil Service Retirement System to conform federal retirement plans in line with those in the private sector.

Acronym for Federal Employees Retirement System.

A person who holds a legal or ethical relationship of trust with one or more other parties. Typically, a fiduciary manages money or other assets for another person.

A person who is employed to provide financial services or guidance to clients.

Acronym for full retirement age.

The age at which beneficiaries can claim their full Social Security retirement benefits.

A licensed professional responsible for arranging all aspects of the funeral service.

A licensed establishment where the dead are prepared for burial or cremation.

A person who helps someone plan their own funeral.

The family consisting of a grandparent or other family member(s) who care for child(ren) in place of parent who is unable to care for child(ren).

The position of legal responsibility for the care of someone who is unable to manage their own affairs.

Acronym for health care proxy.

A person who provides health care treatment and advice based on formal training.

A legal document which appoints an agent to make health care decisions on behalf of a patient when the patient is incapable of making decisions.

A person legally entitled to the property of another upon that person’s death.

The laws that dictate the order of inheritance if the decedent dies without a will or trust. An example is: first in line to inherit are descendants; next in line are parents; then grandparents or potentially siblings. States vary in the heirship rules.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act passed by Congress in 1996. It protects sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s knowledge or consent.

A wide range of health services provided in the home by a medical professional.

A service company that provides and delivers meals to individuals at home. An example is Meals on Wheels, there are various companies that provide meals delivered to the residence.

A type of health care that focuses on attending to the dying in an effort to prioritize comfort and quality of life by reducing pain. Hospice is typically for those whose death is imminent within six months (this may vary by hospice organization).

A person who died without a will.

A type of trust that cannot be modified without the permission of the beneficiary.

A legal ownership structure involving two or more parties for an account or another asset. Ownership of property shared equally in life is given ownership of decedent’s co-owner’s share.

A person who receives a legacy.

An estate planning document where the person outlines instructions to be followed after their death.

A legal document which gives an executor the authority to formally act on behalf of the decedent.

Acronym for life insurance.

A contract between a policy holder and an insurer where the insurer promises to pay a designated beneficiary a sum of money upon the policy holder’s death.

The process of taking legal action.

A contract between a policyholder and an insurer where the insurer guarantees payment of long-term medical health benefits.

Acronym for long-term care insurance.

A national community-based program dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger by delivering meals to those in need.

An intervention, many times with a third party, in a dispute in order to resolve it.

Any equipment or device intended for medical purposes which improves quality of life. Examples are wheelchair, hearing aid, hospital bed, walker, etc.

Specialized care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Also known as Alzheimer’s care.

A person’s closest living relative, including spouses and adopted family members.

Acronym for nonmedical transportation.

Acronym for next of kin.

Transportation services for people who need assistance getting to and from medical appointments.

Acronym for Old-Age Survivors Insurance.

An independent agency of the United States Federal Government that manages the US civilian service.

The fund used to provide Social Security benefits.

Acronym for Office of Personnel Management.

The treatment of pain care that begins at diagnosis of a disease or dire medical condition.

The immediate transfer of assets triggered by death of the asset owner.

Acronym for personal care assistant or attendant.

A professional who is paid to help with personal care to their clients. Duties vary by assistant or attendant.

Information that, when used alone or with other relevant data, can identify an individual. For example: passport information, race, date of birth, etc.

A court or will-appointed person who administers the decedent’s estate.

Acronym for personally identifiable information.

Acronym for power of attorney.

Acronym for payable on death.

A legal document giving someone authorization to represent or act on another’s behalf.

Acronym for personal representative.

Arrangements for the details of a funeral that are planned before a death which may or may not include advance payment.

The legal process where a will is proven in a court of law and accepted as a valid document to settle an estate.

A person who is employed to provide practical organizational services.

The authority to represent another due to their absence.

The government official responsible for distributing estates of residents who died without a will or, if there is a will, there is no executor.

Planned or emergency temporary care provided to caregivers so the caregivers can take a break.

The contact person’s title on the EIN for the IRS.

A mortgage loan secured by residential property that enables the borrower to access the value of the property.

A trust that may be revoked or changed.

When jointly owned property includes a right of survivorship, the surviving owner automatically takes on the decedent’s owners share of the property.

The right to refuse extraordinary measures intended to extend life when a person is terminally ill or in a coma.

The amount of assets considered to fall below probate criteria which varies by state.

The United States independent agency that administers Social Security, a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.

The disability category of the US independent agency that administers Social Security, a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.

Acronym for Social Security Administration.

Acronym for Social Security Disability Insurance.

A legal instrument in writing which passes, affirms or confirms an interest, right or property that is signed, attested, delivered, and in some jurisdictions, sealed. Also known as a deed.

Acronym for transfer on death.

A deed that allows an asset owner to transfer the title of their property to a named beneficiary upon the owner’s death.

The process where a named successor administers and distributes the trust instructions to the beneficiaries.

Acronym for Veterans Affairs.

Acronym for victim compensation funds.

The United States executive branch department that provides health care services to eligible military veterans.

A direct financial reimbursement to a victim for an expense that resulted from a crime.

Information relating to a person’s birth place and date, marriages, health, diseases, place and date of death, and other personal information.

A legal document that expresses a person’s wishes as to how their property is to be distributed after their death.