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National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is a national organization made up of state officials who are in charge of regulating insurance. They have considerable influence and strive to promote national uniformity in insurance regulations.

Nerve Blocks
Nerve Blocks are injections of anesthetic or "numbing" substances into nerves to reduce pain.

Network
Network is insurance terms, refers to the doctors, clinics, health centers, medical group practices, hospitals, and other providers that an HMO or other managed care plan employs or contracts with to care for its members.

New Construction
New Construction is considered those built within the past five years.

Non-Ambulatory
Non-Ambulatory is an inability to walk independently, usually bedridden or hospitalized.

Not-for-Profit
Not-for-Profit is a status of an organization characterized by government by community-based boards of trustees who are all volunteers. Board members donate their time and talents to ensure that a not-for-profit organization's approach to caring for older people responds to local needs. Not-for-profit homes and services turn any surplus income back into improving or expanding services for their clients or residents. Many not-for-profit organizations are often associated with religious denominations and fraternal groups. Not-for-profits may also interact with Congress and federal agencies to further causes that serve the elderly.

Nurse Assistant
Nurse Assistants work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse. A Nurse Assistant provides the most personal care to patients or residents, including bathing, dressing and toileting. Must be trained, tested and certified to provide care in nursing facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs)
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) are specially trained and may help oversee residents' care. In many states, doctor-supervised NPs and PAs write orders for treatment and medication.

Nurse Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
Registered Nurse (RN) is a graduate trained nurse who has been licensed by a state authority after passing qualifying examinations for registration. A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a person who has undergone training and obtained a state license to provide routine care for the sick. Some states use the term Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). A nurse who works in a nursing home takes care of residents and oversees certified nurses' aides (CNAs) and custodial caregivers.

Nursing Homes or Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
Nursing Homes or Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) are State-licensed facilities that provide a safe, therapeutic environment for individuals who require rehabilitative care or can no longer live independently due to functional or cognitive impairment. Nursing Homes offer 24-hour skilled nursing care and medical services by registered nurses and support professionals. This is the highest level of care that can be provided that is not hospitalization. Additionally, nursing facilities offer residents planned social, recreational and spiritual activities. These senior communities care for individuals who have needs that are beyond the scope of an assisted living community or board and care home. In many cases, these properties are licensed for Medicare and possibly Medicaid reimbursement. Also known as skilled nursing facilities

Nutrition Education
Nutrition Education is a service or program promoting better health by providing accurate and culturally sensitive nutrition information to older persons and/or their caregivers. Nutrition education must be overseen by a dietician or individual of comparable expertise if medically oriented information is provided. Nutrition education can be provided one-on-one or in a group setting.

Nutrition Professional
Nutrition Professional provides an assessment and plan containing options and advice for improving an individual's nutritional status. An individual may need this service because of poor health history, current dietary intake, medication use or chronic illnesses.

Nutrition Services
Nutrition Services are programs aimed at assisting individuals or families to meet nutritional needs, including free or low-cost food, meals delivered to the home "Meals of Wheels", congregate group meals -often provided at Senior Centers and food stamp coupons.

Nutrition
Nutrition on this website includes information on health diets, supplements, resources and assessments containing options and advice for improving an individual's nutritional status.

Nutrition/Hydration
Nutrition/Hydration may be required for medical reasons, including: intravenous (IV) fluid and nutritional supplements given to patients who are unable to eat or drink by mouth, or those who are dehydrated or malnourished.