Unit 18: Vocabulary

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ailment
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a minor illness
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"He complains of many unusual sounding ailments, but we can find no evidence of any problem."
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bathe
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to clean, wash
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"All patients need to be bathed once per day."
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bedsores
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a sore or rash developed by the pressure of lying in the same place for an extended period
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"Bedsores are a real problem for coma patients."
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cognitive
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relating to cognition or the brain
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"Diet has been proven to have an effect on our cognitive processes."
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companionship
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a feeling of company, friendship
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"One of the advantages of retirement homes is that the residents have a lot of companionship."
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dementia
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a decline in mental ability severe enough to impact on daily life
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"A lot of elderly people suffer from dementia and as a result have problems with their memory."
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functional disability
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a long term limitation resulting from an injury, condition or illness
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"Although he is in good physical condition, he suffers from a mental condition which has led to his functional disability and is unable to care for himself."
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glaucoma
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a condition of increased pressure within the eyeball resulting in loss of sight
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"Glaucoma is most often treated with eye-drops, but if untreated it can result in blindness."
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grooming
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activities such as brushing ones hair, doing ones make-up and generally taking care of ones appearance
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"It is a mistake to think that only female patients need help with their grooming."
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hospice
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a home providing care for sick, elderly or terminally ill patients
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"Many terminally ill patients are given a new lease on life in hospice care."
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impairment
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the state of being weakened, damaged or diminished
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"He spent three months recuperating after the eye surgery, but still has a slight impairment in his sight."
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incontinent
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unable to control natural discharges such as urine and/or feces
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"One of the most embarrassing things for elderly patients is becoming incontinent."
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infirm
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frailness or weakness, often connected to old age
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"She is very infirm and should not go out alone."
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interaction
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the process of reacting to and responding to a stimuli
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"All humans need interaction as we are social creatures."
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osteoporosis
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a bone weakening disease
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"Many senior citizens need hip replacements as a result of osteoporosis."
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outcome
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a result, or effect
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"The family waited nervously before the doctor gave them the outcome of the tests."
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pre-existing
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something which occurred earlier, in a separate, or unrelated event
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"Most insurance policies do not allow for treatment of pre-existing conditions."
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regimen
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a prescribed course of medical treatment
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"It is important to finish the regimen of antibiotics."
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residential care
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medical care, given in a patient's home
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"A lot of elderly people who cannot live comfortably on their own make use of residential care, where a nurse comes to their house."
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respite care
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short-term care given to patients who cannot be cared for by family
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"As her family live in Australia, Susan spent two weeks in respite care after her operation."
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