All Dealing Living (ADL) refer to the fundamental, routine self-care tasks required to manage basic physical needs and live independently. They include bathing, dressing, eating, personal hygiene, and moving around. Evaluating these skills helps assess an individual's functional independence and long-term care needs.
The concept of daily living is typically divided into two main categories:
These are the essential physical skills usually learned in early childhood. Difficulty performing them indicates a severe need for assistance:
- Personal Hygiene: Bathing, brushing teeth, and grooming.
- Dressing: Selecting appropriate clothing and putting it on.
- Toileting: Getting to the toilet, using it correctly, and cleaning up.
- Mobility (Transferring & Ambulating): Moving in and out of bed, standing up from a chair, and walking.
- Feeding: The physical ability to eat food (not necessarily preparing it).
2. Instrumental ADLs (IADLs)
These are the more complex life skills required to live independently within a community. They often decline before basic ADLs do:
- Managing Finances: Paying bills and managing a budget.
- Housekeeping & Cooking: Cleaning, doing laundry, and preparing meals.
- Medication Management: Obtaining prescriptions and taking them correctly.
- Transportation & Shopping: Driving or taking public transit and running errands.