Area Agencies on Aging( AAA): The national network of senior service providers funded by Title III of the Older Americans Act( OAA) in 1965. They are administered through state and local government by the Administration on Aging. The Area Agency on Aging serves the needs of people 60 years and older.
Assisted Living: Facilities that are licensed to provide 24-hour assistance for those with the inability to perform some or all of the Activities of Daily Living( ADLs).
Assistive Technology( AT): Assistive technology helps individuals with disabilities perform activities that may otherwise be difficult or impossible. Examples of AT are wheelchairs, specialized computer keyboards, computers, and software that can read print out loud, communication devices that talk for individuals, and magnifying devices for those with low vision.
Atrophy: Wasting away or loss of a cell, tissue, or organ due to disease, malnutrition, insufficient blood supply, or other causes, such as loss of skeletal muscle mass due to peripheral nerve damage.
Basal Ganglia: Set of brain structures including the striatum and the substantia nigra, deep in the cerebral hemispheres. The basal ganglia are primarily involved in motor control, as well as other roles such as motor learning, executive functions and behaviors, and emotions.
Bilateral: Having or affecting two sides. Blink Rate: The number of times per minute that the eyelid automatically closes— normally 10 to 30 times.
Botulinum Toxin( BTX): Any of a group of toxins, designated as A through G, produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Localized injection of minute amounts of commercially prepared BTX may help to relax an overactive muscle by blocking the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter responsible for the activation of muscle contractions. It was originally introduced in the 1970s for the treatment of misalignment of the eyes( strabismus) and involuntary contraction of eyelid muscles( blepharospasm) associated with dystonia or facial nerve disorders. There are four major forms of botulinum toxin in use for the treatment of medical conditions: onabotulinum toxin A( Botox), incotobulinum toxin A( Xeomin), abobotulinum toxin A( Dysport), and rimabotulinum toxin B( Myobloc).
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Bradykinesia: Slowness of movement. Bradyphrenia: Slowness of thought as seen in many brain diseases.
Brainstem: The region of the brain consisting of the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain. This area of the brain forms a connection between other brain regions and the spinal cord. Most of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves from the brain arise from the brainstem to regulate breathing, swallowing, digestion, heartbeat, blood pressure, pupil size, as well as the other basic movement of the eyes, face, palates, and neck. In addition, sensory functions, such as reflexes, vision, hearing, and taste are regulated. The brainstem also coordinates balance functions. Degeneration of one of its areas called the pedunculopontine nucleus is important in the balance loss of PSP.
Carbidopa: A drug that, when combined with levodopa, slows the peripheral breakdown of the levodopa, thereby allowing more of the levodopa to enter the brain.
Case Management: The primary goal of case management is to maintain the highest functioning, safety, and independence of each person by linking her or him to the needed services and resources available. A case manager will perform a comprehensive assessment in the home to determine a person’ s physical health, mental health, and safety needs, including limits and strengths. Based on this assessment, the case manager prepares a care plan.