• May range in age from late sixties on up.

• Usually has chronic health problems requiring team interventions, multidisciplinary approach.

• May be sibling, adult child, grandchild, niece or nephew.  

• May be close personal friend or court appointed guardian.

• Licensed.  

• Goal of OT is to help patients learn, regain or maintain functional skills needed for daily activities.  

• As much as possible independent functioning on the part of the patient is encouraged in ADL's/IADL's, etc.

• Licensed.

• Goal of PT is to keep patients mobile, relieve pain and improve functioning.

• Physical therapists help patients with gait retraining, use of assistive devices (such as walkers), and exercises to promote strength, flexibility and improved range of motion.

• Licensed.

• LPN is a Licensed Practical (or Vocational) Nurse; an RN is a Registered Nurse.  

• LPN's and RN's differ in educational background, with RN education being more extensive.  

• Job responsibilities reflect this educational difference, with RN's in a supervisory role over LPNs; RN's also have broader ranges of assessment skills and therapeutic intervention skills (such as preparing and monitoring IV's and peritoneal dialysis, etc).

• Four categories of Registered Nurses fall within the APN title: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Registered Nurse Midwife, Nurse Practitioner.  

• Both CNS and NP roles can be specialized to particular groups or areas of practice (i.e., geriatrics, diabetics, etc).  

• Advanced Practice Nurses must be educated beyond the RN level and pass additional qualifying exams for recognition, title and/or licensure.  

• Nurse Practitioners are educated to assess, diagnose and determine further diagnostic evaluation and treatment (including pharmacologic treatments).  

• Many states allow for varying degrees of prescriptive privilege and independent practice.  

• NP's can usually be found in outpatient clinics and long term care facilities, CNS's are usually based in inpatient care or provide care to select groups, such as with a population in a skilled facility.

• Licensed.

• Must work under physician supervision (laws vary state to state).  

• PA's are educated to diagnose health care problems and develop and execute interventions.  

• Many states allow prescriptive privilege.  

• May work in either inpatient, outpatient or long term care settings.

• Licensed.  

• May be Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.  

• May have specialized training in the care of older adults (geriatrics).  

• May be certified in a specialty area by the American Board of Medical Specialists (MD's) or American Osteopathic Association (DO's).

• Generally, Medical Directorship of long term care facilities is held by a physician.  

• Educated to diagnose and treat health related problems.

• Licensed.  

• May be either DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) of DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine).  

• Educated to diagnose and treat problems within the mouth, gums and teeth.

• Licensed.  

• Educated to evaluate condition of teeth and gums, clean teeth, and educate on preventive dental care.  

• They may also perform x-rays and provide local anesthetics.

• Licensed.  

• Social Workers help patients deal with a multitude of issues relating to retirement, low income, caregiver need, resource referrals-such as Meals on Wheels, family relationships, etc.   Many specialize in particular areas such as Hospice or Elder Care, etc.

Pharmacist

• Licensed.  

• Educated to dispense medications prescribed by physicians, APN's and PA's as well as act as a resource to these providers regarding appropriate medication selection.  

• Pharmacists will also counsel patients regarding medication use, potential interactions, dosage and side effects of medications.  

• Pharmacists may compound (or mix ingredients) to form medications for patients.

• May or may not be licensed.  

• Education varies.  

• Main role is to advise and assist with spiritual needs of patients and families.  

• Often can be a resource for older persons in terms arranging church member visits and assistance to the homebound or nursing home bound older adult.

• Many states require licensure.  

• Educated to help plan and supervise nutritional programs for individuals/groups.  

• Can assess nutritional needs and suggest interventions where appetite, weight loss and disease states are problematic.

• May or may not have background in working with older adults.  

• Generally not a health professional.  

• Various educational levels, likely to have a business/management type education.  

• Usually must oversee facility budget, including payroll and capital resources.  

• Often day to day administrative director of long term care facility or clinic/hospital department.

• Almost all states require licensure. 

• Educated to assess and intervene where problems exist with speech, language, communication, verbal fluency and swallowing. 

• Can also assess/intervene with cognitive communication problems such as those found in memory loss/Alzheimer's or attention disorders.