Activities of daily living

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Activities of daily living (ADLs) are routine activities that people tend to do every day without needing assistance. There are six basic ADLs: eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring (walking), and continence. The concept of ADLs was originally proposed in the 1950s by Sidney Katz and his team at the Benjamin Rose Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.

Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADLs)

The six basic ADLs are:

• Eating: The ability to feed oneself.
• Bathing: The ability to clean oneself and perform grooming activities like shaving and brushing teeth.
• Dressing: The ability to select appropriate clothes and to put the clothes on.
• Toileting: The ability to get to and from the toilet, use it appropriately, and clean oneself.
• Transferring: The ability to move from one place to another, such as from a bed to a chair.
• Continence: The ability to control bladder and bowel functions.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

In addition to the basic ADLs, there are also Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), which are not necessary for fundamental functioning, but they let an individual live independently in a community:

• Managing finances: The ability to handle money and pay bills.
• Handling transportation: The ability to drive or use public transportation.
• Shopping: The ability to buy groceries and other necessities.
• Preparing meals: The ability to plan and cook meals.
• Using the telephone and other communication devices: The ability to make and receive phone calls.
• Managing medications: The ability to obtain medications and take them as directed.
• Housework and basic home maintenance: The ability to clean and maintain the home.

Assessment

Assessment of ADLs is crucial in determining the level of care an individual may need. Various scales and tools are used to measure ADLs, including the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living, the Barthel Index, and the Lawton IADL scale.

Importance

ADLs are important for several reasons:

• They are used to assess the functional status of individuals, particularly the elderly and those with disabilities.
• They help in planning care and services for individuals who need assistance.
• They are used in research to study the health and functional status of populations.

See also

• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Geriatrics
• Disability
• Home care
• Long-term care