Aa

• Activities of daily living definition
  Activities of Daily Living are defined as the usual tasks an individual performs in caring for her or himself during the course of a day such as bathing, dressing, eating and toileting.

• Adaptive clothing definition
   
• ALS definition
  ALS is the abbreviation for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. It is a progressive neurologic disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.  The disease often progresses rapidly leading to muscle weakness, atrophy, paralysis and death.
   
• Alzheimers definition
  Alzheimer's is a form of dementia characterized by a progressive brain disorder that destroys memory, ability to reason, learn, make judgments and carry out everyday functions often called activities of daily living.
   
• Ambulatory definition
  Ambulatory is the reference made to a person who is able to walk independently or with an assistive device such as a cane or walker.
   
• Amputation definition
  Amputation is defined as the traumatic or surgical removal of a limb or appendage of the body.
   
• Amputee definition
  Amputee is defined as an individual who has experienced the traumatic or surgical removal of a limb or appendage of the body.
   
• Arthritis definition
  Arthritis is defined as an inflammation of a joint. There are over 100 types of arthritis and the cause of most types is unknown. Genetics and lifestyle play important roles in the type and severity of arthritis, but we know that often the individual with severe arthritis has disabilities due to the disease.
   
• Artificial limb definition
  Artificial limb is defined as a prosthetic device that replaces the body part removed by amputation.
   
• Assisted Living definition
  Assisted Living is a service that provides individuals who need some help with activities of daily living the option of living as independently as possible for as long as possible. It may be viewed as an intermediate level of long term care.

Bb

• Bariatrics definition
  Bariatrics is a field of medicine that studies, treats and develops prevention plans for individuals who are overweight.

• Broken leg definition
   
• Bunion definition
  Bunion is defined as a swelling or localized enlargement of the joint at the base of the large toe and can also occur at the base of the smallest or fifth toe.

Cc

• Caregiver definition
  Caregiver is defined as an individual who provides assistance with ADL's (activities of daily living) for another person.

• Colostomy definition
  Colostomy is defined as a surgical opening into the large intestines with the opening brought to the surface of the abdomen where bowel evacuation occurs.
   
• Continent definition
  Continent is defined as the ability to control voluntary bodily functions such as in bowel and bladder elimination.

Dd

• Delicate skin definition
  Delicate skin is defined as someone who has fragile or tender skin that will bruise or tear easily.

• Dementia definition
  Dementia is the name for a group of symptoms caused by illnesses or disorders that affect the brain.  The more common of the symptoms are the inability to think well enough to do daily activities such as dressing, eating, solving problems, etc.  Memory loss is a common symptom, but that alone does not mean a person has a dementia.  One of the more common dementias is Alzheimer's disease.
   
• Diabetes definition
  Diabetes is a disease in which there is a malfunction of the production of insulin in the pancreas, which regulates the body's use of sugar.
   
• Disability definition
  Disability is defined as having an impairment of function which takes it below the mental or physical maximum level.
   
• Disabled definition
  Disabled is defined by the United States Government as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of an individual's major life activities.

Ee

• Edema definition
  Edema is defined as an accumulation of excess fluid. It can occur in a variety of locations in the body and can be caused by a number of factors.

Ff

• Feeding tube definition
  Feeding tube is defined as a device that provides liquid nutrition via a tube placed through the nose down into the stomach.

• Foley catheter definition
  Foley catheter is a tube that is inserted into the urinary bladder which allows urine to drain into an external collection bag. 
   
• Full figure definition
  Full figure is defined as one who will more comfortably wear clothes in the plus sizes.

Gg

• Gastric tube definition
  Gastric tube is defined as an artificial feeding device surgically placed through an opening from the surface of the abdomen into the stomach.

• Gout definition
  Gout is a complex form of arthritis that affects men more often than women, but women can become more susceptible to gout after reaching menopause. Gout is characterized by sudden and severe attacks of pain, tenderness and redness in the joints especially at the base of the big toe, but may also occur in the feet, hands, knees and wrists.

Hh

• Hammer toe definition
  Hammer toe is defined as a deformity of the second, third or fourth toe in which the middle joint is bent so that it resembles a hammer.

• Handicap definition
  Handicap is defined as any physical or mental impairment or characteristic that prevents a person from participating independently in activities of daily living.
   
• Hip replacement definition
  Hip replacement is defined as a surgical procedure in which the hip joint is replaced with an artificial device.
   
• Hook and Loop Closures definition
  Hook and loop closures are fasteners that are made from two opposing fabric strips, one made with tiny hooks and the opposing with smaller "hairy" loops which when pressed together cause the two parts to bind temporarily.  VELCRO® is the company that first marketed this hook and loop closure system, therefore many people use that term when referring to hook and loop closures.  VELCRO®, however is the company and not the actual closure system.

Ii

• Ileostomy definition
  Ileostomy is defined as a surgical opening into the small intestines, with the opening brought to the surface of the abdomen where bowel evacuation occurs.

• Immobility definition
  Immobility is defined as the inability of an individual to move independently.
   
• Incontinence definition
  Incontinence is defined as the inability to control voluntary bodily functions, such as bowel and bladder elimination.
   
• Independent definition
  Independent is defined as having the ability to function without the assistance of another.

Jj

• Jejunostomy definition
  Jejunostomy is defined as a surgical opening into the small intestines, specifically the jejunum, with the opening brought to the surface of the abdomen where bowel evacuation occurs.

Kk

• Knee replacement definition
  Knee replacement is defined as a surgical procedure in which the knee joint is replaced with an artificial device.

• Kyphosis definition
  Kyphosis is defined as an increased convexity (curved outwardly) in the curvature of the thoracic spine, also called hunchback.

Ll

• Lou Gehrig's disease definition
  Lou Gehrig’s disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurologic disease affecting the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The disease usually progresses rapidly leading to muscle weakness, atrophy, paralysis and death.

• Lupus definition
  Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. It is characterized by fluctuations between exacerbations and remissions of symptoms such as extreme fatigue, joint stiffness, pain and depression.

Mm

• Mobility definition
  Mobility is defined as the ability to move about without restrictions.
  

• Multiple Sclerosis definition
  Multiple Sclerosis is defined as a chronic, unpredictable, neurological disease that affects the central nervous system.
   
• Myasthenia Gravis defintion
  Myasthenia Gravis is defined as an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by fluctuating muscle weakness, aggravated by activity and relieved by rest.

Nn

• Non-ambulatory definition
  Non-ambulatory is defined as an individual without the ability to walk.

• Nursing Home definition
  Nursing home is a residence for elderly individuals or adults with physical or mental disabilities who are unable to care for themselves.

Oo

• Obesity clothing definition
  Obesity clothes are clothes designed to fit the individual who is considerably overweight.

• Orthotic definition
  Orthotic is a term used to describe a device designed to straighten or align an extremity, joint or other body segment for a particular reason.  It is most often used to describe a device for straightening or aligning the structures of the foot.
   
• Ostomy definition
  Ostomy is a term used for an operation in which an artificial opening is formed such as for a colostomy, ureterostomy, etc.

Pp

• Parkinson's definition
  Parkinson’s disease is a slowly progressive disease in which nerve cells of the brain are destroyed.
  

• Plus sized definition
  Plus size clothes for seniors are clothes designed to fit the elderly who wear sizes 2X or larger.
   
• Prosthetic definition
  A prosthetic is an artificial device used to replace or enhance a missing or impaired part of the body.
   
• Psoriatic Arthritis definition
  Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects some individuals who have psoriasis, a disesase that affects the immune system causing  red, scaly patches to appear on the skin. Joint pain, stiffness and swelling are the usual symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.  There is no cure at this time so treating the symptoms is the key.

Qq

• Quality clothing definition
  Quality clothing is defined as garments designed with appropriate styling and fabrics for the intended age group and with attention paid to detail in the manufacturing process.
  

Rr

• Range of motion definition
  Range of motion is the degree of flexion and extension in a joint.
  

• Rheumatoid arthritis definition
   

Ss

• Scoliosis definition
  Scoliosis is defined as an abnormal curvature of the spine.
  

• Septic Arthritis definition
  Septic arthritis is an intensely painful infection in a joint.  The infection can occur when a wound from outside of the body allows germs to enter a joint or when an infection from another part of the body is carried through the blood stream to a joint.
   
• Stroke definition
  Stroke is the term used, sometimes called a “brain attack", when a blockage in an artery or blood vessel occurs due to a clot. The clot blocks blood flow to an area of the brain causing brain cells to die leading to damage and loss of function in the body dependent upon the affected area of the brain.
   
• Stump definition
  Stump is defined as the distal, or farthest end of a limb left after amputation.

• TIA definition
  TIA or transient ischemic attack is a sudden episode with temporary symptoms usually due to reduced blood flow in the brain. Often this is a precursor to a stroke.

Ww

• Walker definition
  Walker is an assistive piece of equipment designed to help the individual to walk who has diminished ambulatory ability.

• Wheelchair definition
  Wheelchair is an assistive device that allows a non-ambulatory individual to move around as independently as possible.