F

Faith Based Senior Groups
Faith Based Senior Groups are social, service or interested based groups organized by a particular religious denomination, who provide services in a way that reflects a commitment to religious beliefs and values.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that requires employers allow employees 12 weeks of unpaid leave during a 12 month period to care for an immediate family member or to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition.

Family Caregiver
Family Caregiver is an individual who provides care to another who is unable care for himself, due to cognitive or physical limitations. This person may be a relative, friend or neighbor and is also referred to as an informal caregiver.

Family Council or Resident Council
Family Council is a group of family members or friends of residents who meet to discuss concerns and support the staff in efforts to improve care and to make life in the facility or community the best it can be. Staff members may or may not be involved in family councils. Under the law, families of nursing home and assisted living residents have the right to meet independently as a group. An assisted living facility may have a family council or offer other means for families to discuss the facility's care. In more independent settings, the residents themselves will comprise the Residents Council to address the same needs. See also (Resident Council)

Family Representative
Family Representative or "Family members" can include people who are important to the resident, whether or not they are related. To protect the right to privacy, direct care information may not be shared without the permission of the patient or Power of Attorney.

Family-Style Dining
Family-Style Dining has a pre-determined menu and set meal times that are served family style in a group dining setting.

Fatigue
Fatigue is tiring easily, being unable to complete usual activity, feeling weak, and difficulty concentrating.

Federally Qualified HMO
Federally Qualified HMO has met certain standards established by the federal government regarding quality of care, financial soundness, member services, etc.

Feeding Tube
Feeding Tube is a plastic or rubber tube to give nutrition and water to someone who cannot eat or drink. A feeding tube can be placed through the nose (nasogastric) or the stomach wall (PEG tube).

Fee-for-service
Fee-for-service is the exchange of payment to providers for each service performed.

Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a pain disorder in which a person feels widespread pain, muscle stiffness, fatigue, and other symptoms.

Fiduciary Services
Fiduciary Services are provided to an older adult by a person of trust. The Fiduciary follows instructions in legal documents prepared by the older adult. These services may be performed by a guardian, conservator, or other agent under Power of Attorney or personal representative.

Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance provide resources and assistance for individuals facing a financial crisis, services may include local relief programs or temporary financial support, counseling on financial management, prescription drug programs, Social Security benefits, food stamps, or energy assistance. The programs can be from private companies such as the local utility company, non-profit organizations and/or some religious organizations.

Financial Counseling Programs
Financial Counseling Programs Aid individuals with managing their finances, bill paying, and completing Medicaid, Medicare or insurance forms. Services are sometimes provided at Senior Centers, state agencies, through financial professionals; professional organizers may also provide bill paying, bill management and insurance form completion services for a fee.

Financial Management Counseling
Financial Management Counseling services offer advice and assistance to resolve financial problems or to relieve temporary financial stresses.

Financial Planner
Financial Planner help the client make decisions that make the most of financial resources while at the same time help negotiate the financial barriers that inevitably arise in every stage of life.

Financial Services
Financial Services includes: financial planning, insurance and medical bill review including Medicare, bill paying, bank reconciliation, income tax preparation and long term care insurance filing. Some or all of these services may be offered by firms specializing in assisting seniors such as Certified Financial Planners, Elder Law Attorneys and accounting firms serving the needs of older adults.

Fiscal Intermediary
Fiscal Intermediary most often refers to a private company that has a contract with Medicare to pay Part A and some Part B bills. Fiscal Intermediaries are being phased out and replaced by Medicare Administrative Contractors.

Fitness, Health & Wellness
Fitness, Health & Wellness includes information, educations, programs and resources on healthy living topics offered by hospitals, local organizations, or other organizations such as aquatic classes, therapy pools, chiropractic care, counseling, diet and meal preparation, health clubs, health screenings, health care consultants, health spas, holistic health, nutrition, personal services and personal trainers.

Foley Catheter
Foley Catheter is a tube inserted into the bladder in order to drain urine.

Food Resources
Food Resources provide some type of food resource to individuals facing a financial crisis. Programs that provide food subsidies, free food, or low-cost food to eligible individuals. Examples of such programs include, but are not limited to: the food assistance program administered by DHS (formerly called "food stamps"), the Famer's Market coupon program, food banks, the SHARE program, private companies, non-profit organizations or some religious organizations. Food Resources can also include meals at home programs or congregate meals.

Food Stamps or Voucher Programs
Food Stamps or Voucher Programs supply food coupons which can be exchanged in designated grocery stores, supermarkets or farmer's markets for food products. The coupons are generally provided to low income individuals and families on an occasional or ongoing basis, but may also be available to others.

Foot Care
Foot care includes nail clipping, applying ointments, etc.

Formulary
Formulary is a list of drugs that are covered by a drug plan.

Frontal-Temporal Dementia (FTD)
Frontal-Temporal Dementia (FTD) is a rare form of dementia, affecting the parts of the brain responsible for language, behavioral skills and emotional responses. (Includes Pick's disease.)

Full-Service Kitchen
Full-Service Kitchen is a kitchen within a facility that provides units with a refrigerator, stove and oven for those who can live independently and operate a kitchen safely. Most Assisted Living communities are equipped with "kitchenettes" with small refrigerators and microwaves only.

Functional Impairment
Functional Impairment means being unable to dress, use the toilet, eat, bathe or walk without assistance.

Funeral Services
Funeral Services comprise the beliefs and practices to remember the dead, from the funeral, memorial, burial, cemetery, and various monuments in their honor.