Glossary

Your local public office for older-adult services — in-home help, meals, transportation, and caregiver programs. Find yours through the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

Short-term care by someone else so the regular caregiver can rest. It can be a few hours at home or a short stay somewhere else. Asking for it is maintenance, not failure.

A legal document that lets someone act for another person on money or health decisions. Rules and forms vary by state — this is not legal advice; talk with an elder-law attorney.

A CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) dementia care program that offers care navigation, caregiver training, and respite through participating practices. Ask your parent's provider whether they participate.

Confusion, restlessness, or agitation that gets worse in the late afternoon and evening for some people with dementia. Light, routine, and a calmer evening often help.

Software that can learn patterns and answer questions like a helper. It's a tool, not a person.

The AI 'brain' behind chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. Trained on huge amounts of text to predict and generate human-like responses.

A program you have a text conversation with — like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude.

The question or instruction you type. Better prompts = better answers.

When AI confidently makes up something incorrect. Always double-check important info.

How much of your conversation the AI remembers. Long chats can 'forget' earlier details.

How your info is stored and used. Never share full names, SSNs, addresses, or medical IDs with AI.

Individualized Education Program — a legal plan for kids who qualify for special education. Requires specific goals and services.

A plan that gives accommodations (like extra time or breaks) to kids who don't qualify for an IEP but still need support.

Free Appropriate Public Education — the right of every kid with a disability to a real, useful education at no cost.

Least Restrictive Environment — kids should be with typical peers as much as possible.

Functional Behavior Assessment / Behavior Intervention Plan — figures out WHY a behavior happens and makes a plan to help.

The brain skills that help kids plan, focus, remember instructions, and switch tasks. Often weak in ADHD and autism.

How the brain handles sounds, textures, lights, and touch. Some kids need MORE input, others need LESS.

A tantrum is goal-driven ('I want that toy'). A meltdown is a brain overload — the child can't stop it. They need very different responses.

You stay calm so your child can borrow your calm. Kids learn regulation by feeling it in you first.

Occupational, physical, and speech therapy — common school-based services.

Applied Behavior Analysis — a common autism therapy. Approaches vary widely; ask about newer, child-led styles.

Repetitive movements or sounds (rocking, hand-flapping, humming) that help a person self-regulate. Usually not a problem to fix.

A legal arrangement where an adult makes decisions for another adult. Consider supported decision-making first.

An alternative to guardianship — the adult keeps their rights and chooses trusted people to help them decide.

Federal disability benefits. SSI is need-based; SSDI is based on work history.

A savings account for people with disabilities that doesn't disqualify them from benefits.

Americans with Disabilities Act — protects adults with disabilities from discrimination at work and in public.

State agency that helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep jobs.