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Handicapped License Plates
Handicapped License Plates are administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Each state manages their program, application and renewal requirements.

Hardware & Home Improvement Stores
Hardware & Home Improvement includes everything for the home, indoors and outdoors such as fencing, metal roofing, lawn care, tile, hardwood and much more.

Health & Beauty
Health & Beauty includes skin care, cosmetics, personal grooming, hair care, lotions, creams and much more.

Health Care Directive
Health Care Directive is a written legal document that specifies a persons medical preference and wishes, or allows another person to appoint another person to make health care decisions should he or she be unable to make or communicate decisions. (see Power of Attorney and Advanced Directives)

Health Care Transitional Facility
Health Care Transitional Facility is a program designed to provide a broad range of health care outside of a hospital setting, including rehabilitation centers, nursing homes or other settings.

Health Center
Health Centers are facilities that provide a wide range of outpatient health care, such as immunizations, preventative health, health assessments, perform simple procedures such as foot care, and teach people ways to maintain, restore, and improve their health as older adults. Services are often provided at a reduced rate laboratory and radiology services and diagnostic and exam services.

Health Clubs
Health Clubs are centers with exercise equipment or classes encouraging fitness and physical activity, some may also include spas.

Health Insurance & HMOs
Health Insurance & Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) provide a comprehensive range of health maintenance and treatment services for a prepaid fee, including Medicare supplemental plans.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA)
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA) became a law on January 1, 1997. Title I of HIPAA protects health insurance coverage for workers and their families when they change or lose their jobs. Title II of HIPAA, the Administrative Simplification (AS) provisions, requires the establishment of national standards for electronic health care transactions and national identifiers for providers, health insurance plans, and employers. Provisions also address the security and privacy of health data. The standards are meant to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the nation's health care system by encouraging the use of electronic data interchange in the US health care system. The act also states the requirements that a long-term care policy must follow in order that the premiums paid may be deducted as medical expenses and benefits not paid are considered as taxable income.

Health Screenings
Health Screenings are used to identify disease or conditions, thus enabling earlier intervention and management; many screening are performed at hospitals, community centers or annual health screening events.

Health Spas
Health Spas offer health and image improvement services and may can focus on weight loss, detox the body, beauty, fitness, relaxation and other themes. Spas services can also be purchased on hourly rate locally or be a week long vacation.

Health Supportive Products
Health Supportive Products are supplies for the treatment of illness, disabilities or injuries, i.e.: wheelchairs, walkers, bed side toilets, etc. (Also see Durable Medical Equipment, DME)

Healthcare Consultant
Healthcare Consultant is a person or company that gives advice and/or oversight for medical treatments, insurance billing, Medicare services and other healthcare treatments.

Hearing Resources & Services
Hearing Resources & Services lists organizations that provide hearing services, resources or education; some may provide services on sliding scale payment arrangements.

Heart Disease
Heart Disease is any disorder that affects the heart's ability to function normally. The most common cause of heart disease is narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart itself. This happens slowly over time and is known as Coronary Artery Disease or CAD.

Heart Failure (HF) or Congestive Heart Failure CHF)
Heart Failure (HF) or Congestive Heart Failure CHF) is the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body's other organs. This can cause fluid to build up in the body, which is seen as swelling (edema), most commonly in the lower extremities. Heart failure also reduces the kidneys' ability to dispose of sodium and water, making edema worse. Fluid can also collect in the lungs and interfere with breathing, causing shortness of breath. Heart Failure is almost always a chronic, long-term condition, although it can sometimes develop suddenly. It may affect the right side, the left side, or both sides of the heart. Most areas of the body can be affected when both sides of the heart fail. In HF, the failing heart keeps working, but inefficiently. The most common causes of HF are coronary artery disease (CAD), previous heart attack and high blood pressure.

HIPAA (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996)
HIPAA (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) became a law on January 1, 1997. Title I of HIPAA protects health insurance coverage for workers and their families when they change or lose their jobs. Title II of HIPAA, the Administrative Simplification (AS) provisions, requires the establishment of national standards for electronic health care transactions and national identifiers for providers, health insurance plans, and employers. Provisions also address the security and privacy of health data. The standards are meant to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the nation's health care system by encouraging the use of electronic data interchange in the US health care system. The act also states the requirements that a long-term care policy must follow in order that the premiums paid may be deducted as medical expenses and benefits not paid are considered as taxable income.

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) is an organization that, for a prepaid fee, provides a health plan that both pays for and provides, or arranges to provide, access to comprehensive range of health maintenance and treatment services (including hospitalization, preventive care, diagnosis, and nursing). HMOs are reimbursed for services on a fixed monthly basis. Health Maintenance Organization Plan (HMO Plan) is also a type of Medicare Advantage Plan that is available in some areas of the country. Plans must cover all Medicare Part A and Part B health care. Some HMOs cover extra benefits, like extra days in the hospital. In most HMOs, you can only go to doctors, specialists, or hospitals on the plan's list except in an emergency. Your costs may be lower than in the Original Medicare Plan.

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) is an organization that, for a prepaid fee, provides a health plan that both pays for and provides, or arranges to provide, access to comprehensive range of health maintenance and treatment services (including hospitalization, preventive care, diagnosis, and nursing). HMOs are reimbursed for services on a fixed monthly basis. Health Maintenance Organization Plan (HMO Plan) is also a type of Medicare Advantage Plan that is available in some areas of the country. Plans must cover all Medicare Part A and Part B health care. Some HMOs cover extra benefits, like extra days in the hospital. In most HMOs, you can only go to doctors, specialists, or hospitals on the plan's list except in an emergency. Your costs may be lower than in the Original Medicare Plan.

Holistic Health
Holistic Health refers to alternative health services such as Acupuncture, Reflexology, Kelation, Reiki and Kinetic therapy.

Home & Moving Resources
Housing & Moving Resources assists individuals downsizing from family homes to move into independent apartments or senior communities. This resource contains information on estate sales, housing information specialists, housing resources, moving and real estate services and relocation/downsizing specialists.

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) are supportive services including home health care, personal care, adult day care, respite care and assisted living facilities to help people with disabilities to live in the community. Each state has a mix of funding sources and programs. Medicaid and other federal, state and local agencies support such programs. The Local Area Agency on Aging assist to qualify and match needs with individuals looking for resources to remain in their own home as long as possible; some examples include Meals on Wheels, visitation programs, shopper services or adult day care, and respite care. Medicare, private insurance or Medicaid may pay some home care costs.

Home Care Services
Home Care Services are services received in the home setting, including: companion care, personal care, sitter services, or skilled home health care. (see also: At Home Care and Services)

Home Delivered Meals
Home Delivered Meals are meals delivered to an individual's home. Some programs are government funded and require that the recipients be homebound and have limited ability to cook for themselves. Many programs are available on a contribution basis rather than for an established fee. The two most common programs are Meal on Wheals and Loaves and Fishes.

Home Furnishings & Decoration
Home Furnishings & Decoration includes the touches for the home, including furniture, pillows, bedding, window treatments, home accessories, decorator and design services and more.

Home Health Agencies
Home Health Agencies (HHA) offer medical services in a home setting, therapists, medical social workers and health aids. The medical services such as changing wound dressings, checking vital signs, cleaning catheters and providing tube feedings; services can be provided on a daily hourly, weekly or 24/7 regular schedule. These companies are typically licensed by the state. Some agencies are Medicare certified and may be reimbursed for some services. Some HHA's also offer Companion Care, which provides non-medical in-home assistance; Medicare does not typically reimburse for these services.

Home Health Aide
Home Health Aides Provide support services such as personal care which do not require a licensed nurse. Medicare does not cover home health aides unless the person is also receiving skilled nursing care or other therapy. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)provide personal care to residents or patients, such as bathing, dressing, changing linens, transporting and other essential activities. CNAs are trained, tested, certified and work under the supervision of an RN or LPN. Typically found in hospital, home care, or housing communities. These individuals are not licensed to deliver medical care.

Home Improvement & Maintenance
Home Improvement & Maintenance revolve around maintaining the home or making home modifications to promote independence or create a safer environment in the home. This website includes home modifications, improvement services, home repair, landscaping, tree services and sliding scale services for low-income individuals.

Home Modifications/Improvement Services
Home Modifications/Improvement Services adapt living spaces to meet the needs of individuals with limitations in order to increase the ease of use, safety, security and independence in the home. Modifications can range from: moving appliances to a main floor, changing doorways, installing showers, replacing doorknobs with pull handles, installing ramps, up to full-scale construction projects.

Home Repair/Maintenance
Home Repair & Maintenance provides information and resources for home repairs and maintenance including do-it-yourself website resources and directories of home maintenance companies to help keep housing in good repair, such as roofing, plumbing and insulation, in order to avoid major problems.

Homebound
Homebound defines a person who is unable to leave home or cannot leave home without considerable assistance. A person may leave home for medical treatment or short, infrequent absences for non-medical reasons, such as a trip to the barber or to attend religious service.

Homeless Shelters
Homeless Shelters are residential facilities for individuals and families who have no homes or whose homes are unsafe.

Homemaker Services
Providing assistance to persons having difficulty with one or more activities of daily living, managing money, using the telephone, or doing light housework, cleaning, preparing meals, doing laundry, shopping or arranging transportation. May also referred to as home chore services. See also (Companion Care)

Hospice Care (Palliative Care)
Hospice Care (Palliative Care) emphasizes comfort measures and counseling to provide social, spiritual and physical support to the dying patient and his or her family. The goals of hospice are to keep the patient as comfortable as possible by relieving pain and other symptoms; to prepare for a death that follows the wishes and needs of the patient. Hospice care, is typically offered in the last six months of life and covered under Medicare Part A . Care takes place in the home or a home-like setting such as a nursing home, board and care home, or assisted living community and serves patients of all ages. Care is under the direction of a licensed physician and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if necessary.

Hospitalist
Hospitalist is a physician who is responsible for coordinating all diagnostic treatments and care during a patient's hospital stay and reports on an inpatient's conditions to his or her primary care physician.

Hospitals
Hospitals are medical facilities providing care and treatment for illnesses, disabilities or injuries; including: emergency care, surgical care, testing, specialty care and other medical services, many offer community education and health screenings.

House Cleaning Services
House Cleaning Services also known as maid service can be provided on a weekly or monthly schedule or arranged for one time large cleaning jobs. These services are generally provided by traditional house cleaning companies that serve all ages. Note that Older Adult Companion's can provide light housekeeping but in general a Companion does not provide extensive house cleaning services. Housekeeping Services may include yard and house maintenance, home and appliance repair, housekeeping, meal preparation, shopping and transportation. No personal care is provided; not covered by Medicare.

Housing Assistance
Housing Assistance includes providers of financial assistance for housing that is provided on a continued or one-time basis such as housing authority offices where applications are processed, low-income senior apartments, section 8 housing, HUD housing, etc.

Housing Choice Vouchers
Housing Choice Voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.

Housing Communities
Housing Communities range from active independent living with golf or water features to subsidized housing to continuum care communities some with endowment programs. Higher-level care housing for older adults can include assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care for the assisted living or skilled nursing care levels. It is important to understand physical assessment of older adults when looking for higher level of care housing.

Housing Resources
Housing Resources includes government and non-profit agencies that contain information on government senior housing and programs.

Housing Specialist or Referral Services
Housing Specialist or Referral Services provide information and assistance to individuals or their caregivers about current housing availability or services available in their area. In addition to providing information, these service providers can assess the problems and capacities of individuals, link them to available opportunities and services, and conduct follow-up to ensure that the individual received the services. The methods for providing this information and assistance vary widely from distributing pre-printed lists of providers to conducting searches for a wide-range of services that account for an individual's personal constraints, be they financial, physical, social or geographic. This service may be paid by the client or by a referral fee from the provider.

HUD Section 8 (Housing and Urban Development)
HUD Section 8 is a federally funded housing subsidy program that provides low-income families the opportunity to choose and lease safe, decent and affordable privately owned rental housing by supplementing what they could afford on their own. Public Housing Authorities apply to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Section 8 funds, which are then provided to eligible families in accordance with HUD rules and regulations.

HUD 202 (Housing and Urban Development)
HUD 202 program helps expand the supply of affordable housing with supportive services for the elderly. It provides very low-income elderly with options that allow them to live independently but in an environment that provides support activities such as cleaning, cooking, transportation, etc. The program is similar to Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities (Section 811).

HUD Subsidy (Housing and Urban Development)
HUD (Housing and Urban Development) is a federal program that provides affordable independent housing for the elderly and disabled. Most individuals that qualify for HUD must pay approximately 30% of their monthly income to rent. HUD takes care of the remaining 70%. Eligibility requirements may include income, assets and age. (Also called HUD Senior Housing.)

Huntington's Disease
Huntington's Disease is an inherited, degenerative brain disease which affects the mind and body, it generally begins in midlife. Symptoms include personality change, memory problems, and psychiatric problems.

Hyperalgesia
Hyperalgesia is extreme sensitivity to pain.

Hyperpathia
Hyperpathia is an exaggerated response to something that causes pain, with continued pain after the cause of the pain is no longer present.