Glossary
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) is a term used in healthcare to refer to people's daily self-care activities. The concept of ADLs is crucial as it helps measure a person's functional status, especially in individuals who are disabled, chronically ill, or elderly. Understanding and assessing an individual's ADLs can help medical professionals like nurses, doctors, and therapists to evaluate a patient's functional status, provide appropriate care, and monitor changes over time.ADLs are generally categorized into two types: Basic ADLs (BADLs) and Instrumental ADLs (IADLs).
Basic ADLs are the things we usually do when we get up in the morning and get ready to go out or go to bed at night. They include feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring (walking or moving from bed to wheelchair, for example), and maintaining continence. These are fundamental self-care tasks that a person must be able to do to lead an independent life. Instrumental ADLs, on the other hand, are not necessary for fundamental functioning, but they let an individual live independently in a community. These include housework, preparing meals, taking medications as prescribed, managing money, shopping for groceries or clothes, using the telephone or other communication devices, and managing transportation (either driving or navigating public transit). The ability to perform ADLs is used to gauge a person's ability to care for themselves and live independently. It is a key measurement in many health-related contexts, including nursing, medicine, rehabilitation, and geriatrics. In these fields, professionals often use ADL evaluations to help determine the level of care a person requires. For example, a person who can perform all ADLs independently may only need preventive or routine medical care.
In contrast, a person who struggles with several ADLs may need assisted living or nursing home care.ADLs are also used to help determine eligibility for certain services or programs, such as home care, rehabilitation services, long-term care insurance benefits, and certain government assistance programs. In these cases, a person's ability or inability to perform ADLs can significantly impact their quality of life and their ability to remain independent. Assessing ADLs is a dynamic process and should be done periodically. Changes in a person's ability to perform ADLs can indicate a change in their health status. For example, a person who was previously able to cook their meals but is now unable to do so may be experiencing a decline in their physical health or cognitive function. This change would signal to healthcare providers that a reassessment of the person's care plan may be necessary.
In conclusion, Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are a vital measure of a person's ability to live independently and care for themselves. They are used by healthcare professionals to assess a person's functional status, determine the level of care they need, and monitor changes in their health status over time. Understanding and assessing ADLs is crucial in providing appropriate care and support to individuals, particularly those who are elderly, chronically ill, or disabled.