ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING

The activities of daily living (ADLs) is a term used to refer to the activities required for one’s daily life and care. ADLs are a way to measure how well a person is able to live independently and function on a day-to-day basis. Once you understand your loved one's ability to handle the activities of daily living, you then have the information you need to make a wise decision regarding assisted living or other care options, such as Adult Foster Care. Here's a look at the basics -

Personal Hygiene

This category of ADLs covers tasks related to bathing and grooming, such as caring for your own hair and nails. Dental and oral care, such as tooth brushing and flossing, is also included here. In addition, many consumers need to use personal care items such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, or hearing aids. In assessing a person's ability to handle ADLs, being able to handle these devices is also evaluated.

Toileting & Continence

Toileting has several components to consider. Is the person physically able to use the toilet when needed? Do they have trouble sitting by themselves? Are there physical constraints that make it difficult to wipe? Are they even mentally aware of the need to go?

Dressing

Some of the issues involved with this ADL are understanding the proper clothes to wear in a given situation and the ability to get in and out of those clothes (buttoning, zipping, etc.) as needed.

Eating

This ADL doesn't involve the ability to cook a meal, but more the basic ability to feed oneself, including drinking.

Transferring

This would involve difficulty walking without help. This category of ADL also focuses on the ability to change from one position to another, as you need to do when standing up from a seated position, getting out of bed, getting into a bathtub, or stepping in or out of a car. Sometimes consumers need a wheelchair or other assistive device, such as a cane, to help them get from one place to another under their own power.

The Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

The instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are activities that focus more on how a consumer connects to their community and their ability to live and manage their independence. They measure more complex skills as detailed below. If you're trying to decide between an adult foster care or an assisted living community for your loved one, being aware that the IADL's might help you in your decision-making process.

The instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) include:

Shopping & Transportation

Can the consumer drive or take public transportation safely? Are they able to handle their own grocery, household, and pharmacy shopping needs on their own?

Medication Management

Is the consumer able to take all their medications in the right dosages and on time? Can they handle prescription renewals without assistance?

Household Management

Is the consumer able to tidy and clean their home adequately? Can they handle laundry and linens?

Communication

Can consumer answer the phone and handle their own mail?

Companionship & Community

Is the consumer connected to a community, spending time with other people on a regular basis? Or is isolation contributing to a negative frame of mind?

Financial Chores

Can the consumer handle money appropriately? Are they able to pay their own bills and keep their bank accounts in order?

When you understand the consumer’s ability to handle both the ADLs and IADLs, you're in a better position to know how much help they need on a daily basis. It is imperative that you connect the consumer with the right support to ensure that they are receiving the necessary support to assist them in the safest and healthiest way.

Why Do ADLs and IADLs Matter?

When you're trying to make medical decisions or decisions about living arrangements for yourself or on behalf of a consumer, evaluating the ADLs and IADLs is key. Intervention is not immediate just because a consumer is not able to handle one of the ADLs. But if the inability to perform multiple these tasks increases due to disability, pain, or any medical condition it might be time for a professional assessment. This would include researching environments that can best support the assistance for daily living that the consumer will need.

Social workers, nurses, physicians, and occupational and physical therapists are all qualified to make assessments regarding a consumer’s need for help with the basic ADLs — and of course, the consumer should also be deeply involved in that assessment. When you understand the consumer’s ability to handle both ADLs and IADLs, you're in a better position to know how much help they need on a daily basis. If you can connect your aging loved one with the right support, you can rest assured they will be aging in the safest and healthiest way.