What are ADLs and IADLs in Home Care?

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are basic tasks in everyday living that allow an individual to thrive and live an independent life. As we grow older, our needs change based on our physical and mental capabilities.

ADLs

Personal Hygiene: maintaining proper hygiene including bathing/showering, nail care, and oral care.

Dressing: being able to physically dress and undress, as well as make clothing decisions that are appropriate for the weather or occasion.

Eating: the ability to feed oneself, regardless of the capability to prepare food.

Continence: having control of bowels and bladder, being able to mentally and physically use a restroom, including cleaning oneself, as well as the ability to transfer on and off the toilet, all without assistance.

Transferring/Mobility: being able to stand from a sitting position; get in and out of bed independently, and the ability to walk from one location to another without assistance.

IADLs

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) although not necessary for functional living, IADLs are activities that you do to care for yourself and your home, that are more complex, and require thinking and organization. Examples of IADLs include:

Cleaning/Housekeeping: maintaining an acceptable level of cleanliness in their home or apartment.

Laundry: wash and dry their own laundry, including bedding.

Preparing Meals: plan, prepare, and serve adequate meals.

Shopping: shop for essentials including food, clothing, and personal care items.

Transportation: drive or use public transportation or arrange for a taxi.

ADLs and IADLs

It is common for seniors to need assistance in performing ADLs and IADLs. Because they strive to maintain their independence, fear and pride could prevent them from asking for help. Hospitalization or illness can also be the cause of decline in ADLs and IADLs, as well as side effects of medication or even social isolation. Understanding how these affect an individual’s ability to care for themselves could mean the difference between independent living and needing daily assistance.

Physical Therapy

Occupational therapy and/or physical therapy could also be beneficial. Physical therapy focuses on muscle strength and range of motion while occupational therapy focuses on self-care activities and use of fine motor skills, and the coordination of muscles and joints.

Promedcare Caregivers

Promedcare has professional caregivers that provide seniors assistance with all aspects of Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. How our help is provided is based on your loved one’s abilities and needs. Our caregivers can simply monitor activity to ensure safety or full hands-on assistance. Our team of caregivers also understands that seniors want to maintain their level of independence and freedom in their own homes, and will not provide unnecessary help, taking their independence away.

If you have concerns for your loved one and their ability to perform ADLs and/or IADLs, it is important to seek an in-home assessment to discuss how Promedcare can set your loved one up for success in the independent living environment that they are accustomed to and want to continue to maintain.

Promedcare

Our goal is to keep you or your loved one healthy, happy, and safe at home. The Promedcare team of management and caregivers understands the importance of providing care within the comfort of one’s own home. Families choose Promedcare for different reasons. For some, it’s to provide extensive ongoing care for an aging senior. For others, we offer a much-needed break or, respite care – such as a night out with a spouse, vacation, or simply a few hours of quiet time at home – for family members who provide regular care. We offer a wide range of care services customized for each individual client. Promedcare services include Personal Care Services, Companion Care Services, Dementia / Alzheimer’s Care Services, and Respiratory Solutions.

Contact us today to see our Prodmedcare can help you!