Glossary
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InventoryAn inventory is a complete list of all money and property owned by the incapacitated person. Within 30 days of becoming guardian of the estate, the guardian must make an inventory and file it with the court.
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Letters of guardianshipThe letters of guardianship is the document issued by the court clerk to the guardian of the estate that shows the guardian has authority to manage the incapaciated person's estate. This is a separate document from the guardianship order.
Long-term care ombudsmanAn advocate for people living in nursing homes, assisted living communities, board and care homes, and similar adult care communities. Ombudsman staff and volunteers work to help people solve problems. Every state has an Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
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Mandated reportersPeople who are required by law to report any suspected elder abuse to a specific authority, such as Adult Protective Services or law enforcement.
Medical power of attorneyA medical power of attorney is a power of attorney that names an agent who has the power to make certain medical decisions for the principal. A medical power of attorney may be accompanied by a directive to physicians or an out of hospital do not resuscitate (“DNR”) order. We do not discuss these documents in this Guide. If you want more information about them, contact the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services or click “Where to Go for Help” in the “Resources” section of the toolkit.
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Nursing homeA long-term care community that is licensed by the state as a “nursing home,” “nursing facility,” “skilled nursing facility,” or “intermediate care facility,” or that provides similar levels of care. Most provide services covered by Medicaid and/or Medicare. Nursing homes generally offer a higher level of care than assisted living communities.
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PerpetratorA person who is suspected of financially abusing an older adult.
Power of attorneyA written document signed by a person giving another person the power to act in conducting the signer's business, including signing papers, checks, title documents, contracts, handling bank accounts and other activities in the name of the person granting the power. The person receiving the power of attorney (which means agent) is "attorney in fact" for the person giving the power, and usually signs documents as "Melinda Hubbard, attorney in fact for Guilda Giver." There are two types of powers of attorney: a) general power of attorney which covers all activities, and b) special power of attorney which grants powers limited to specific matters, such as selling a particular piece of real estate, handling some bank accounts, or executing a limited partnership agreement. A power of attorney may expire on a date stated in the document or upon written cancellation. Usually the signer acknowledges before a notary public that he/she executed the power, so that it is recordable if necessary, as in a real estate transaction.
PrincipalThe principal is the person who makes the power of attorney.
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Representative payeeA representative payee is the person appointed by a government agency, such as the Social Security Administration, the Office of Personnel Management, or the Railroad Retirement Administration, to mange the income benefits of a person who needs help managing those benefits.
An advocate for people living in nursing homes, assisted living communities, board and care homes, and similar adult care communities. Ombudsman staff and volunteers work to help people solve problems. Every state has an Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
M
Mandated reportersPeople who are required by law to report any suspected elder abuse to a specific authority, such as Adult Protective Services or law enforcement.
Medical power of attorneyA medical power of attorney is a power of attorney that names an agent who has the power to make certain medical decisions for the principal. A medical power of attorney may be accompanied by a directive to physicians or an out of hospital do not resuscitate (“DNR”) order. We do not discuss these documents in this Guide. If you want more information about them, contact the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services or click “Where to Go for Help” in the “Resources” section of the toolkit.
N
Nursing homeA long-term care community that is licensed by the state as a “nursing home,” “nursing facility,” “skilled nursing facility,” or “intermediate care facility,” or that provides similar levels of care. Most provide services covered by Medicaid and/or Medicare. Nursing homes generally offer a higher level of care than assisted living communities.
P
PerpetratorA person who is suspected of financially abusing an older adult.
Power of attorneyA written document signed by a person giving another person the power to act in conducting the signer's business, including signing papers, checks, title documents, contracts, handling bank accounts and other activities in the name of the person granting the power. The person receiving the power of attorney (which means agent) is "attorney in fact" for the person giving the power, and usually signs documents as "Melinda Hubbard, attorney in fact for Guilda Giver." There are two types of powers of attorney: a) general power of attorney which covers all activities, and b) special power of attorney which grants powers limited to specific matters, such as selling a particular piece of real estate, handling some bank accounts, or executing a limited partnership agreement. A power of attorney may expire on a date stated in the document or upon written cancellation. Usually the signer acknowledges before a notary public that he/she executed the power, so that it is recordable if necessary, as in a real estate transaction.
PrincipalThe principal is the person who makes the power of attorney.
R
Representative payeeA representative payee is the person appointed by a government agency, such as the Social Security Administration, the Office of Personnel Management, or the Railroad Retirement Administration, to mange the income benefits of a person who needs help managing those benefits.
People who are required by law to report any suspected elder abuse to a specific authority, such as Adult Protective Services or law enforcement.
A long-term care community that is licensed by the state as a “nursing home,” “nursing facility,” “skilled nursing facility,” or “intermediate care facility,” or that provides similar levels of care. Most provide services covered by Medicaid and/or Medicare. Nursing homes generally offer a higher level of care than assisted living communities.
P
PerpetratorA person who is suspected of financially abusing an older adult.
Power of attorneyA written document signed by a person giving another person the power to act in conducting the signer's business, including signing papers, checks, title documents, contracts, handling bank accounts and other activities in the name of the person granting the power. The person receiving the power of attorney (which means agent) is "attorney in fact" for the person giving the power, and usually signs documents as "Melinda Hubbard, attorney in fact for Guilda Giver." There are two types of powers of attorney: a) general power of attorney which covers all activities, and b) special power of attorney which grants powers limited to specific matters, such as selling a particular piece of real estate, handling some bank accounts, or executing a limited partnership agreement. A power of attorney may expire on a date stated in the document or upon written cancellation. Usually the signer acknowledges before a notary public that he/she executed the power, so that it is recordable if necessary, as in a real estate transaction.
PrincipalThe principal is the person who makes the power of attorney.
R
Representative payeeA representative payee is the person appointed by a government agency, such as the Social Security Administration, the Office of Personnel Management, or the Railroad Retirement Administration, to mange the income benefits of a person who needs help managing those benefits.
A person who is suspected of financially abusing an older adult.