Glossary

We’ve provided a list of commonly used terms below. Click on the phrase to learn more.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Activities of Daily Living are the basic tasks of everyday life, such as eating, bathing and dressing. As people age, an assessment of one’s ability to complete these tasks is used to determine an individual’s level of functional independence. Assistance with ADLs will be provided to residents of Open Circle Communities as needed.

 Aging in Place

Growing older without having to move from one’s residence in order to receive necessary support services in response to changing needs. Aging in Place will be encouraged and facilitated in Open Circle Communities.

Allies

Allies are straight family members, friends, and professional and political colleagues who celebrate and respect diversity in all forms, including sexual orientation and gender identity.

Assisted Living

A model of care that provides supportive services and health care in a residential setting for individuals with mild to moderate needs. Assisted Living services will be available for residents at Open Circle Communities.

Baby Boomers

People born between the years of 1946 and 1964, the first wave turned 60 in 2006. It is estimated there are some 70 million baby boomers. If three to six percent – or approximately 4 million — are lesbian and gay, there is a significant need to determine how LGBT individuals will create community as they age.

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Condominium

A multi-home structure, similar to an apartment building, where residents have individual ownership of their residences.

Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)

A residential community providing a variety of living arrangements and graduated services. The four most common living arrangements in a CCRC are referred to as

1) Independent Living - in homes and apartments, 2) Assisted Living – generally in apartments, 3) Skilled Nursing – generally a private room, with residential health care, either long term or for short term rehabilitation, and 4) Memory Care - generally a private room with special programming in a secure environment. While Open Circle Communities may not follow all aspects of the traditional CCRC model, our communities will facilitate a continuum of care.

Continuum of Care

A variety of care services provided to assist individuals throughout the course of aging, depending on the needs and abilities. Aging in place will be an integral thread of all Open Circle Communities.

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Entry Fee / Equity Model

The entry fee model is a type of financing usually associated with entering a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). With the entry fee financial model, residents do not own their homes. Open Circle Communities will use an equity model rather than an entry fee; individuals will own their homes.

LGBT

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people.

Monthly Fee

A monthly payment that is part of the financial package in most active adult and retirement communities, similar to a monthly condo fee, that pays for shared services such as housekeeping, grounds maintenance, security, and similar items. As residents need additional personal services or medical care, payment is made through a fee-for-service plan.

Skilled Nursing Facility

Regulated by Medicare/Medicaid, a Skilled Nursing Facility offers a range of long-term and rehabilitative health care services in a residential setting for individuals requiring 24 hour care. Open Circle Communities will assist residents with placement if they require skilled nursing services.

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