Unit 18: Vocabulary

A minor illness.

He complains of many unusual sounding ailments, but we can find no evidence of any problem.

To clean, wash.

All patients need to be bathed once per day.

A sore or rash developed by the pressure of lying in the same place for an extended period.

Bedsores are a real problem for coma patients.

Relating to cognition or the brain.

Diet has been proven to have an effect on our cognitive processes.

A feeling of company, friendship.

One of the advantages of retirement homes is that the residents have a lot of companionship.

A decline in mental ability severe enough to impact on daily life.

A lot of elderly people suffer from dementia and as a result have problems with their memory.

A long term limitation resulting from an injury, condition or illness.

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.

A condition of increased pressure within the eyeball resulting in loss of sight.

Glaucoma is most often treated with eye-drops, but if untreated it can result in blindness.

Activities such as brushing ones hair, doing ones make-up and generally taking care of ones appearance.

It is a mistake to think that only female patients need help with their grooming.

A home providing care for sick, elderly or terminally ill patients.

Many terminally ill patients are given a new lease on life in hospice care.

The state of being weakened, damaged or diminished.

He spent three months recuperating after the eye surgery, but still has a slight impairment in his sight.

Unable to control natural discharges of urine / feces.

One of the most embarrassing things for elderly patients is becoming incontinent.

Frail, weak - often connected to age.

She is very infirm and should not go out alone.

The process of reacting to and responding to a stimuli.

All humans need interaction as we are social creatures.

A bone weakening disease.

Many senior citizens need hip replacements as a result of osteoporosis.

A result, effect.

The family waited nervously before the doctor gave them the outcome of the tests.

Something which already was already before.

Most insurance policies do not allow for treatment of pre-existing conditions.

A prescribed course of medical treatment.

It is important to finish the regimen of antibiotics.

Long-term care given to patients in a 'home' setting.

A lot of elderly people who cannot live comfortably on their own make use of residential care, where a nurse comes to their house.

Short-term care given to patients who cannot be cared for by family.

As her family live in Australia, Susan spent two weeks in respite care after her operation.