Every cognitive & sensory support term, acronym, and concept you'll encounter in the caregiving industry — clearly defined.
Difficulty seeing clearly, which may affect reading, walking, medication safety, or recognizing people and objects. Sudden vision changes should always be reported promptly. Poor vision may also increase confusion and fall risk in home care settings.
Repeating the same discussion, question, or topic multiple times because the client cannot retain new information. Calm repetition and gentle redirection often work better than correction.
A person’s understanding of their own thoughts, memory abilities, behaviors, and surroundings. Dementia may gradually reduce cognitive awareness and affect judgment and safety.
Reduced understanding of one’s own memory problems, limitations, or unsafe behaviors because of dementia progression. Clients may insist they can safely do things that now place them at risk.
The brain’s ability to process information, remember details, communicate, focus, solve problems, and make decisions. Changes in cognitive function may affect daily activities and personal safety.
Incorrect understanding of sounds, objects, people, or situations because the brain cannot process information accurately. Shadows, mirrors, or conversations may become frightening or confusing to the client.
A state where the brain becomes overwhelmed by too much information, noise, activity, or decision-making at once. Clients may become confused, withdrawn, agitated, or unable to focus when overloaded. Reducing stimulation and simplifying tasks helps prevent cognitive overload.
Basic evaluations used by healthcare professionals to assess memory, orientation, language, attention, and problem-solving abilities. Caregivers may hear this term during dementia or neurological evaluations.
Some clients may react negatively to strong perfumes, cleaning products, or scented lotions because of respiratory issues, migraines, or sensory sensitivity. Mild or fragrance-free products may improve comfort.
Many older adults live with hearing loss, and it may not always be obvious. You support communication by facing the person, speaking clearly (not loudly), and reducing background noise. It’s not about shouting—it’s about being thoughtful. Communication is a partnership, not a performance.
Difficulty staying focused or maintaining attention during conversations or activities. Clients may become distracted easily or appear mentally “checked out” for periods of time.
Many clients with Lewy Body Dementia experience REM sleep behavior disorder, where they physically act out dreams during sleep. This may include yelling, kicking, punching, or sudden movements at night. Safe sleep environments help reduce injury risk.
Discomfort or distress caused by bright lights, glare, or sudden lighting changes. Light sensitivity may occur with migraines, dementia, eye conditions, or neurological disorders.
Trouble remembering names, events, instructions, appointments, or recent conversations. Memory recall difficulty may occur with aging, dementia, neurological illness, stress, or medication side effects. Gentle reminders and visual cues may help reduce frustration and confusion.
When a client forgets what they’re doing halfway through a task, like brushing teeth or eating. Stay nearby. Use short verbal cues and gestures to help them complete the activity without shame.
Reduced sense of smell that may affect appetite, safety awareness, or the ability to detect spoiled food, smoke, or gas leaks. This change is common in aging and some neurological conditions. Loss of smell may also affect nutrition and enjoyment of meals.
Abnormal sensations such as tingling, burning, numbness, or “pins and needles” feelings in the hands, feet, or limbs. These sensations may occur because of nerve irritation or damage.
Difficulty understanding spoken or written language caused by brain damage, stroke, or neurological illness. A person may hear words clearly but struggle to understand their meaning.
REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is the stage of sleep where dreaming commonly occurs and the brain remains highly active. Poor REM sleep may affect memory, mood, concentration, and daytime alertness.
Loss of memories formed before a brain injury, stroke, trauma, or neurological illness. The person may remember recent events poorly while older memories remain clearer.
Damage to sensory nerves that reduces the ability to feel pain, touch, temperature, or pressure. It may increase the risk of burns, falls, or unnoticed injuries.
An unusually strong negative reaction to touch, textures, fabrics, or physical contact. Clients may pull away or become distressed during care tasks.
Sensitivity to touch, fabric textures, or water temperature. Clients may react with pulling away, yelling, or hitting. Use gentle hands, warm cloths, and explain each step to help ease discomfort.
When a client uses the wrong word for something—like calling a spoon a “pen.” Gently acknowledge and continue the task without correcting unless it creates confusion or frustration.
