Definitions

Agent: The person who is given the right to exercise power concerning another's financial affairs.

Conservator: A person, organization, or State agency appointed by the Probate Court to protect and manage the money and property of another person.

Guardianship: A guardianship is a court procedure through which a person or organization is given the responsibility to make decisions about the care of another individual.

Patient Advocate: The person who is given the right to exercise power concerning another’s care, custody, and medical treatments.

Power of Attorney: A written document signed by a competent person, giving another person, at least 18 years of age, power to handle some or all of the principal’s affairs.

Principal: One who has permitted or directed another (an agent) to act for his or her benefit.

Representative Payee: A person who has legal authority to receive and cash benefit check on behalf of a Social Security or Supplemental Security Income recipient.

Trust: A legal relationship in which one person (a “trustee”) holds property for the benefit of another (the “beneficiary”).

Ward: Under guardianship, the individual who is taken care of.

Weatherization: Cost-effective energy efficiency measures for existing residential and multifamily housing with low-income residents.

AAA = Area Agency on Aging

DHS = Department of Human Services

HPOA = Healthcare Power of Attorney

LTC = Long Term Care

OSA = Office of Service to the Aging

POA = Power of Attorney

SSA = Social Security Administration

SSI = Supplemental Security Income