Glossary

The following are some of the most commonly used words and abbreviations that you will likely hear as a caregiver.

AAA

Area Agency on Aging.

ABT

Accelerated Basic Training

ADSA

Aging and Long-Term Support Administration. Formerly ADSA.

See also: ALTSA

Adult Child Individual Provider

An adult child providing care for his/her biological, step or adoptive parent.

Agency Provider (AP)

A Home Care Aide (HCA) worker employed by a private, Medicaid home care agency, such as: Full Life Care, ResCare, etc.

ALTSA

Aging and Long-Term Support Administration. Formerly ADSA.

ARC

National organization serving consumers with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Formerly known as “ARC.”

See also: The Arc

ARNP

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner. Can be a Primary Care Provider (PCP).

AT

Advanced Training

BT

Basic Training

CE

Continuing Education. Supplemental training required for skills development.

CEU

Continuing Education Units.

CNA

Certified Nursing Assistant

Cultural Competency

Culture is often described as the combination of a body of knowledge, a body of belief and a body of behavior. It involves a number of elements, including personal identification, language, thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions that are often specific to ethnic, racial, religious, geographic, or social groups. These elements often influence beliefs and belief systems surrounding health, wellness, illness, disease, and delivery of care. The concept of cultural competency has a positive effect on care delivery by enabling Home Care Aides to deliver services that are respectful of and responsive to the health beliefs, practices, and cultural and linguistic needs of diverse patients.

DDA

Developmental Disabilities Administration. Formerly DDD.

HCA Credentialed

A worker who has successfully passed the Prometric exam and credentialed by Department of Health as a Home Care Aide.

Home Care Aide (HCA)

Provides care to a consumer living in his or her home. Employed by a private, Medicaid home care agency or DSHS

Individual Provider (IP)

Home Care Aide (HCA) whose employer of record is DSHS

Limited Service Provider

This is any IP who provides care 20 hours a month or less for one consumer.

MRC

Member Resource Center

Non-HCA Credentialed

This is an HCA with a current healthcare credential, such as a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC).

O&S

Orientation and Safety.

Parent DD Individual Provider (DDA)

This is an IP who provides care to his/her own adult child with a developmental disability and is contracted through the Developmental Disability Administration.

Parent Individual Provider (HCS/AAA)

This is an IP who provides care to his/her own adult child and is contracted through Home and Community Services (HCS) and/or an Area Agency on Aging (AAA). This is often referred to as a non-DDD Parent Provider.

Respite

This is an IP that provides DDA Respite services at 300 hours or less in a calendar year.

Standard HCA

Home Care Aide who does not work with their own parent or child. Works more than 20 hours a month or has more than one consumer.

Healthcare Coverage Terms

Looking for more information about healthcare-related terms? Go to the Guide to Healthcare Coverage Terms.