What are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
If you are concerned about your loved one’s level of independence and well-being, you’ll want to assess how they manage their activities of daily living.
What are Activities of Daily Living?
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are the basic self-care tasks an individual does on a daily basis to support their physical well-being independently. The basic ADLs include:
- Dressing: The ability to select appropriate attire from closets and dressers and utilize buttons, prosthetics, snaps, velcro, or zippers as needed to dress and undress.
- Feeding: The ability to transfer food from dish to mouth without assistance, though another individual may prepare the food.
- Functional Mobility: The ability to walk or transfer to and from sitting and standing positions or from one room to another.
- Personal Hygiene: The ability to clean teeth, bathe, style hair, and use products such as cosmetics, deodorant, and nail clippers.
- Toileting: The ability to control the body’s need to go and appropriately utilize the restroom.
What are Instrumental Activities of Daily Living?
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are the non-essential tasks an individual does on a daily basis to live independently within a community. IADLs include:
- Being responsible for a dependent, pet, or plant
- Communicating with others either verbally or with the assistance of technology
- Engaging in social activities
- Handling chores like washing dishes and laundry
- Maintaining the house, such as yard work and gardening
- Managing health by scheduling appointments and refilling prescriptions
- Managing money, such as budgeting and planning expenses
- Planning and preparing meals using kitchen supplies
- Practicing good decision-making skills
- Shopping for groceries and other necessities
- Using transportation methods such as driving
What Affects the Ability to Perform ADLs?
An individual might be unable to perform ADLs due to:
- Acute illness or admission to the hospital
- Cognitive or mental impairment, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia
- Medication side effects
- Physiological changes associated with aging in men and aging in women
- Social isolation
- Unsafe home environment with little to no security
How Senior Living Supports ADLs
The benefit of choosing a not-for-profit life plan community is receiving essential services that support ADLs, such as:
- Ensuring medication management and compliance
- Home maintenance and housekeeping
- Meal preparation and other dining options
- Opportunities to socialize and stay active
- Personal care assistance for bathing, feeding, and hygiene
- Transportation to appointments, external events, and shopping
Explore all the ways you can make the most of retirement in our ebook, Lifestyle Opportunities in Senior Living Communities!
At Life Enriching Communities (LEC), we’re committed to ensuring patrons feel well-equipped to plan their future and age how they wish. Explore more resources on senior living or contact us today to learn more about our legacy of services and programs that bring meaning and purpose to every stage of life.