Activities of daily living
Encyclopedia
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) is a term used in healthcare to refer to daily self-care activities within an individual's place of residence, in outdoor environments, or both. Health professionals routinely refer to the ability or inability to perform ADLs as a measurement of the functional status of a person, particularly in regards to people with disabilities
and the elderly
.
ADLs are defined as "the things we normally do...such as feeding ourselves, bathing, dressing, grooming, work, homemaking, and leisure." A number of national surveys collect data on the ADL status of the U.S. population. While basic categories of ADLs have been suggested, what specifically constitutes a particular ADL in a particular environment for a particular person may vary.
Occupational therapist
s often evaluate IADLs when completing patient assessments. Assessments may include 11 types of IADLs that are generally optional in nature and can be delegated to others:
Most models of health care service use ADL evaluations in their practice, including the medical (or institutional) models, such as the Roper-Logan-Tierney model of nursing
, and the resident-centered models, such as the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
(PACE).
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
and the elderly
Old age
Old age consists of ages nearing or surpassing the average life span of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle...
.
ADLs are defined as "the things we normally do...such as feeding ourselves, bathing, dressing, grooming, work, homemaking, and leisure." A number of national surveys collect data on the ADL status of the U.S. population. While basic categories of ADLs have been suggested, what specifically constitutes a particular ADL in a particular environment for a particular person may vary.
Basic ADLs
Basic ADLs (BADLs) consist of self-care tasks, including:- Personal hygiene and grooming
- Dressing and undressing
- Self feeding
- Functional transfers (Getting from bed to wheelchair, getting onto or off of toilet, etc.)
- Bowel and bladder management
- Ambulation (Walking without use of use of an assistive device (walker, cane, or crutches) or using a wheelchair)
Instrumental ADLs
Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are not necessary for fundamental functioning, but they let an individual live independently in a community:- Housework
- Taking medications as prescribed
- Managing money
- ShoppingShoppingShopping is the examining of goods or services from retailers with the intent to purchase at that time. Shopping is an activity of selection and/or purchase. In some contexts it is considered a leisure activity as well as an economic one....
for groceries or clothing - Use of telephone or other form of communication
- Using technology (as applicable)
- Transportation within the community
Occupational therapist
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy is a discipline that aims to promote health by enabling people to perform meaningful and purposeful activities. Occupational therapists work with individuals who suffer from a mentally, physically, developmentally, and/or emotionally disabling condition by utilizing treatments...
s often evaluate IADLs when completing patient assessments. Assessments may include 11 types of IADLs that are generally optional in nature and can be delegated to others:
- Care of others (including selecting and supervising caregivers)
- Care of pets
- Child rearing
- Use of communication devices
- Community mobility
- Financial management
- Health management and maintenance
- Meal preparation and cleanup
- Safety procedures and emergency responses
Evaluation of ADLs
There are several evaluation tools, such as the Katz ADL scale and the Lawton IADL scale.Most models of health care service use ADL evaluations in their practice, including the medical (or institutional) models, such as the Roper-Logan-Tierney model of nursing
Roper-Logan-Tierney model of nursing
The Roper, Logan and Tierney model of nursing is a model of nursing care based upon activities of living. It is extremely prevalent in the United Kingdom, particularly in the public sector . The model is named after the authors – Nancy Roper, Winifred W. Logan and Alison J...
, and the resident-centered models, such as the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly programs provide comprehensive health services for individuals age 55 and over who are sufficiently frail to be categorized as "nursing home eligible" by their state's Medicaid program...
(PACE).
See also
- Assisted livingAssisted livingAssisted living residences or assisted living facilities provide supervision or assistance with activities of daily living ; coordination of services by outside health care providers; and monitoring of resident activities to help to ensure their health, safety, and well-being.Assistance may...
- Care of residentsCare of residentsResidential care refers to long-term care given to adults or children in a residential setting rather than the patient's home. People with disabilities, mental health problems, or learning difficulties are often cared for at home by paid or voluntary caregivers, such family and friends, with...
- Global Assessment of FunctioningGlobal Assessment of FunctioningThe Global Assessment of Functioning is a numeric scale used by mental health clinicians and physicians to subjectively rate the social, occupational, and psychological functioning of adults, e.g., how well or adaptively one is meeting various problems-in-living. The scale is presented and...
- Long-term careLong-term careLong-term care is a variety of services which help meet both the medical and non-medical need of people with a chronic illness or disability who cannot care for themselves for long periods of time....
- Long term care insuranceLong term care insuranceLong-term care insurance , an insurance product sold in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, helps provide for the cost of long-term care beyond a predetermined period...
- Nursing homeNursing homeA nursing home, convalescent home, skilled nursing unit , care home, rest home, or old people's home provides a type of care of residents: it is a place of residence for people who require constant nursing care and have significant deficiencies with activities of daily living...
- Occupational therapyOccupational therapyOccupational therapy is a discipline that aims to promote health by enabling people to perform meaningful and purposeful activities. Occupational therapists work with individuals who suffer from a mentally, physically, developmentally, and/or emotionally disabling condition by utilizing treatments...