E

Efficiency Unit
Efficiency Unit is a smaller unit than a standard studio that has a combined living and sleeping area.

E-gifts
E-gifts are electronic commerce shopping sites that offer the ability to purchase goods on the internet.

Elder Abuse or Neglect
Elder Abuse or Neglect is intentional action to inflict harm or lack of action resulting in harm to an older adult. Elder abuse can happen in the family and home environment and in hospitals, nursing homes and other community settings. Elder Abuse can involve emotional, financial, physical and mental harm. The government and society take Elder Abuse very seriously and provide a variety of ways to report Elder Abuse. Programs designed to assist and protect older persons who are either institutionalized or reside in the community and who might be subjected to or vulnerable to abuse and neglect. Often run by state initiatives and support.

Elder Abuse Shelters
Elder Abuse Shelters are temporary housing facilities that provide a safe location for older adults who are victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

Elder Law
Elder Law is the area of law pertaining to the rights and legal matters concerning older adults. This includes such subjects as estate planning, wills, guardianship, powers of attorney, Medicare & Medicaid. An elder law attorney handles general estate planning issues and counsels clients about planning for the future with alternative decision-making documents. Not all attorneys specialize in elder law. Your local bar association or the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and your local chapter can refer you to elder law attorneys in your area. An attorney who practices in the areas of law of particular interest to older adults is sometimes referred to as a CELA (Certified Elder Law Attorney).

Elder Rights & Assistance
Elder Rights & Assistance refers to agencies and services that assist older adults who have been neglected, abused or exploited.

Eldercare
Eldercare is delivering care to an older adult that is in need of assistance.

Elderhostel
Elderhostel offers travel opportunities to active older adults that focus on education, recreation and travel opportunities worldwide.

Electronics
Electronics includes most anything you could plug in or run on batteries, including: stereos, computers, televisions, DVD players and more.

Email
Email is the electronic sending of information via the internet.

Emergency Financial Assistance
Emergency Financial Assistance is short-term financial assistance in a crisis situation. Can include paying past-due bills, responding to rent eviction notices, responding to utilities disconnect notices, etc.

Emergency Food
Emergency Food is a provision of food used during a crisis situation.

Emergency Preparedness
Emergency preparedness guidance from the US Department of Homeland Security lists and explains possible threats and recommended response. Preparedness means being ready for an emergency including hurricane, utility disruption or manmade disaster.

Emergency Response System
Emergency Response Systems (ERS) system allows a person experiencing a medical emergency at home to activate electronic components that transmit a coded signal via digital equipment over telephone lines to a central monitoring station. The system may also be connected to a smoke alarm, security system, medication reminders, etc. and allow 24-hour monitoring and response. These products can be a pendant worn by the adult or a home alarm system panel; most require monthly monitoring service. Commonly known as (Lifeline Services, Crisis Response Systems, Reassurance Assistance, and Telephone Reassurance).

Emphysema
Emphysema is marked by an abnormal accumulation of air in the lung's many tiny air sacs, a tissue called alveoli. As air continues to collect in these sacs, they become enlarged and may break or be damaged and form scar tissue. The result is labored breathing and an increased susceptibility to infection. One of the two most common forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which are disorders that persistently obstruct bronchial airflow in and out of the lungs; the other common COPD is bronchitis.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) are programs offered by some employers as non-financial benefit, usually includes counseling services, and referrals to service providers.

Employment Services
Employment Services include: opportunities for older adults to explore employment options, job training and job placement services designed specifically for older workers. Age eligibility varies from program to program.

End of Life Care
End of Life Care includes: Services to help the terminally ill and their families cope, as well as Information and Assistance provided about other issues that arise at or near the end of life. Doctors and caregivers provide care to patients approaching the end of life that is focused on comfort, respect for decisions, support for the family, and treatments to help psychological and spiritual concerns.

Energy Resources
Energy Resources provide financial assistance for public utilities and/or home weather proofing programs for individuals with limited financial income. The programs may be offer by private companies such as the local utility company, non-profit organizations and/or some religious organizations. Some programs may be sliding scale payment.

Enriched Housing or Adult Care Homes
Enriched Housing or Adult Care Homes are licensed facilities established and operated for the purpose of providing long-term residential care to five or more adults, primarily older adults, in community-integrated settings resembling independent housing units. Such programs must provide or arrange for the provision of room, board, housekeeping, personal care and supervision.

Enrichment Classes
Enrichment Classes provide in formation and education to the general public for fun, enjoyment, or personal growth.

Enrollment Area
Enrollment Area is the specific geographic area of plan coverage. This term is often used by an HMO.

Enteral Feeding
Enteral Feeding is the delivery of liquid feedings through a tube, such as an IV.

Entertainment & Recreation
Entertainment & Recreation include local attractions including natural historic areas, sports events, museums, galleries, performing arts and more.

Entitlement
Entitlement is a federal program (such as Social Security or unemployment benefits) that guarantees a certain level of benefits to those who meet requirements set by law.

EPEC (Education for Physicians on End-of-Life Care)
EPEC (Education for Physicians on End-of-Life Care) is a project designed to educate physicians across the United States about providing good end-of-life care for patients. EPEC includes a curriculum used to train doctors in clinical knowledge and skills they need to care for dying patients.

Equipment & Supplies
Equipment & Supplies include: adaptive products, diabetic supplies, medical equipment also known as home medical equipment (HME), of durable medical equipment (DME), mobility, oxygen and other general products useful to older adults or needed due to medical conditions.

Errand & Shopping Services
Errand & Shopping Services may be provided by grocery stores, online shopping services or individuals; some companion care companies also provide this service. Individuals providing these services may offer ride along services.

Estate Planning
Estate Planning is provided by Certified Financial Planners and Elder Law Attorneys and refers to the process of planning for what will happen to an individual's assets in the event of his/her death. Services involved in Estate Planning can include Medicaid planning, financial planning, power of attorney documents, guardianship, conservatorship and other financial services needed by older adults and their families.

Estate Recovery
Estate Recovery is the attempt to recover expenses. Medicaid imposes stringent limits on the income and assets of recipients, and Federal law mandates that states attempt recovery of expenses paid on behalf of those recipients from their estates under certain circumstances.

Estate Sales
Estate Sales are typically organized by individuals or companies specializing in appraising and pricing items. Estate Sales include appraisal or pricing of items for sale, and may also include the sale of items either in a total sale, individual piece or consignment. This can be a convenient service for the family and for the older adult moving to a senior community.

Ethics
Ethics is a system of moral principles or rules used as standards for professional conduct. Many hospitals and other health care facilities have ethics committees to assist doctors, other healthcare providers, patients and family members in making difficult decisions regarding medical care.

Executor
Executor is an individual appointed to administer the terms of a will.

Exercise
Exercise is activity to promote mobility, health and flexibility.

Exit Seeking
Exit Seeking is the tendency to look for ways to exit the building that is part of the "wandering" trait associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It is important that seniors who exhibit this trait be cared for in facilities that have locked doors and, if possible, alarms on exits that will alert staff if someone exits the facility.

Extended Congregate Care License (ECC)
Extended Congregate Care License (ECC) is offered in some states as a supplementary licensing available to assisted living facilities which permits them to render a larger range of services to their residents as their level of care expands, as long as the resident does not need skilled 24-hour nursing care.