By definition, ADLs are the essential tasks that each person needs to perform, on a regular basis, to sustain basic survival and well-being. The term helpshealthcare professionalsquickly communicate the level of assistance an individual might need or how their health is impacting their day-to-day life.
Defining the 9 ADLs
One standard for defining the areas of Activities of Daily Living is the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, which defines ADLs as “activities that are oriented toward taking care of your own body.” The activities are broken down into nine areas.
Some administrators narrow the essential living needs into six broader categories referred to as basic Activities for Daily Living (bADL):Ambulating (moving)DressingFeedingBathing/showeringPersonal hygieneToileting
Some administrators narrow the essential living needs into six broader categories referred to as basic Activities for Daily Living (bADL):
The Rise of Home Health Care
What Are IADLS?
You may look at the list about and think that even if you could safely do those nine items, there are still quite a few things that contribute to your quality of life. Don’t worry, there is an extension to the list.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLS) refer to activities that support daily life and are oriented toward interacting with your environment. IADLs are typically more complex than ADLs. They are important components of home and community life but can be easily delegated to another person.
There is also an extension to the extension. The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework also refers to the below areas of activity, which are sometimes included in ADL and IADLS lists.
ADLs vs. IADLsADLs are the basic things you need to do to survive and be well. IADLs are the things you can do to enhance your personal interactions and/or environment.
ADLs vs. IADLs
ADLs are the basic things you need to do to survive and be well. IADLs are the things you can do to enhance your personal interactions and/or environment.
ADLs in Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapistsassist their clients in engaging in meaningful and purposeful daily tasks. For many occupational therapists, helping their clients perform ADLs are the “bread and butter” of their services.
ADLs can be an important factor in medical decision-making. Here are some examples:
Anoccupational therapistwill often take the lead in assessing your ability to perform ADLs and work with you and your healthcare team to ensure that these basic needs are met.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIn healthcare, ADL stands for activities of daily living. There are nine areas of activities of daily living used in occupational therapy:Bathing and showeringToileting and toilet hygieneDressingFeedingEating and swallowingFunctional mobilityPersonal device carePersonal hygiene and groomingSexual activityIADL stands for instrumental activities of daily living. These are activities that support and enhance daily life, including interacting with others and your environment. Common IADLs include:Care of otherCare of petsCooking and cleaningCommunicating with othersDrivingHealth managementMoney managementParenting or child-rearingSafety procedure and emergency responsesShoppingAn assessment of ADLs and IADLs are used to determine if it is safe for a person to live independently and what, if any, supports should be provided. They are also used to assess if more intervention is needed for chronic pain or other medical conditions. An improvement in ADLs and IADLs can suggest a treatment is working.
Frequently Asked Questions
In healthcare, ADL stands for activities of daily living. There are nine areas of activities of daily living used in occupational therapy:Bathing and showeringToileting and toilet hygieneDressingFeedingEating and swallowingFunctional mobilityPersonal device carePersonal hygiene and groomingSexual activity
In healthcare, ADL stands for activities of daily living. There are nine areas of activities of daily living used in occupational therapy:
IADL stands for instrumental activities of daily living. These are activities that support and enhance daily life, including interacting with others and your environment. Common IADLs include:Care of otherCare of petsCooking and cleaningCommunicating with othersDrivingHealth managementMoney managementParenting or child-rearingSafety procedure and emergency responsesShopping
IADL stands for instrumental activities of daily living. These are activities that support and enhance daily life, including interacting with others and your environment. Common IADLs include:
An assessment of ADLs and IADLs are used to determine if it is safe for a person to live independently and what, if any, supports should be provided. They are also used to assess if more intervention is needed for chronic pain or other medical conditions. An improvement in ADLs and IADLs can suggest a treatment is working.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Edemekong PF, Bomgaars DL, Sukumaran S,et al.Activities of Daily Living.StatPearls, 2022.American Occupational Therapy Association.Table 1. Occupations.North Carolina Assisted Living Association.Tools to Help Evaluate and Select an Assisted Living Residence.Mlinac ME, Feng MC.Assessment of activities of daily living, self-care, and independence.Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2016;31(6):506-516. doi:10.1093/arclin/acw049Additional ReadingAnnouncing the third edition of the occupational therapy practice framework: domain and process.American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2014;68(2):139-139. doi:10.5014/ajot.2014.682005
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Edemekong PF, Bomgaars DL, Sukumaran S,et al.Activities of Daily Living.StatPearls, 2022.American Occupational Therapy Association.Table 1. Occupations.North Carolina Assisted Living Association.Tools to Help Evaluate and Select an Assisted Living Residence.Mlinac ME, Feng MC.Assessment of activities of daily living, self-care, and independence.Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2016;31(6):506-516. doi:10.1093/arclin/acw049Additional ReadingAnnouncing the third edition of the occupational therapy practice framework: domain and process.American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2014;68(2):139-139. doi:10.5014/ajot.2014.682005
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Edemekong PF, Bomgaars DL, Sukumaran S,et al.Activities of Daily Living.StatPearls, 2022.American Occupational Therapy Association.Table 1. Occupations.North Carolina Assisted Living Association.Tools to Help Evaluate and Select an Assisted Living Residence.Mlinac ME, Feng MC.Assessment of activities of daily living, self-care, and independence.Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2016;31(6):506-516. doi:10.1093/arclin/acw049
Edemekong PF, Bomgaars DL, Sukumaran S,et al.Activities of Daily Living.StatPearls, 2022.
American Occupational Therapy Association.Table 1. Occupations.
North Carolina Assisted Living Association.Tools to Help Evaluate and Select an Assisted Living Residence.
Mlinac ME, Feng MC.Assessment of activities of daily living, self-care, and independence.Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2016;31(6):506-516. doi:10.1093/arclin/acw049
Announcing the third edition of the occupational therapy practice framework: domain and process.American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2014;68(2):139-139. doi:10.5014/ajot.2014.682005
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