When an older parent or family member begins to need extra support with daily activities, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Understanding the fundamentals of activities of daily living (ADLs) and how to assess them is essential for making the best choices for their care and quality of life.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the differences between ADLs and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), share an ADL checklist and offer guidance on the next steps if care services are needed. Knowing you can turn to our Assisted Living community at Charter Senior Living of Washington for a helping hand can make all the difference in your next decisions.
What Are ADLs and IADLs?
ADLs refer to the basic self-care tasks that a person must be able to perform to maintain independence and quality of life. These include:
- Dressing: The ability to select appropriate clothing and dress oneself
- Feeding: The ability to drink and feed oneself independently, as well as complete meal preparation safely
- Personal Hygiene: This includes bathing, grooming and maintaining oral health
- Continence: The ability to manage bladder and bowel functions
- Toileting: The ability to get to and from the toilet and perform associated personal hygiene tasks
- Functional Mobility: Encompasses the ability to move within one’s environment, including getting out of bed and moving around the home safely
In addition to ADLs, many professionals consider IADLs, which refer to more complex tasks and skills needed for independent living. These include:
- Shopping: The ability to purchase essentials like groceries and household supplies
- Transportation and Mobility: Navigating outside the home, either by driving, using public transportation or coordinating rides
- Managing Finances: Being able to pay bills on time and keep track of personal money
- Medication Management: Understanding and taking medications as prescribed
- Housekeeping: Managing household tasks, such as cleaning and laundry
- Communication: Using the phone, email or other methods to stay connected with others
While ADLs tend to focus on essential physical needs, IADLs reflect a person’s ability to live independently within their community. Recognizing and evaluating both ADLs and IADLs can help create a comprehensive care plan that addresses a loved one’s complete needs.
Building an Activities of Daily Living Checklist: Key Steps for Personalization
An ADL checklist can be a useful tool to assess and monitor your loved one’s abilities over time. This can help you understand when they might benefit from additional assistance, whether through in-home support, a community-based program or a senior living community like Charter Senior Living of Washington. Here’s how to create an effective ADL checklist:
Step 1: Identify Each ADL and IADL Relevant to Your Loved One’s Needs
Include each category outlined above in your checklist. For example:
- Dressing: Can they select appropriate clothing and dress without assistance?
- Feeding: Can they eat and drink on their own?
- Personal Hygiene: Are they able to bathe and groom themselves?
- Continence: Can they manage bladder and bowel functions?
- Toileting: Can they use the toilet independently?
- Functional Mobility: Are they able to move safely around their home?
Additional IADLs:
- Shopping: Are they able to shop independently?
- Medication Management: Do they understand how to manage their medication schedule?
Step 2: Rate Each Task Based on Independence
For each task, assess your loved one’s level of independence. You can use a simple rating scale:
- Independent: They can perform the task without help.
- Assistance Needed: They need occasional or partial assistance.
- Dependent: They need full support to complete the task.
Recording their abilities over time can give a clear picture of any changes in function, helping you stay proactive in planning for their needs.
Step 3: Regularly Review and Update the Checklist
Using a checklist regularly – perhaps monthly – allows you to track any changes and identify trends. If you notice a shift in abilities, it may indicate it’s time to consider additional support. The American Occupational Therapy Association emphasizes the importance of monitoring ADLs and IADLs over time to provide a clear record of changing needs.
Tips for Personalizing the ADL Checklist
No two individuals are alike, so it’s essential to customize the checklist to fit your loved one’s preferences and daily routines. Here are a few tips:
- Involve Your Loved One: Encourage open communication with your loved one about their abilities. Ask for their input on areas where they feel confident and where they might like assistance.
- Adapt Based on Preferences: If they have specific routines, incorporate these into the checklist. For example, if they prefer dressing in the morning versus the evening, make note of this on the checklist.
- Consider Mobility Aids and Safety Equipment: Include whether they use any aids, such as walkers or grab bars, and assess their comfort and proficiency with these tools.
- Keep the Checklist Handy: Print a copy of your checklist and keep it somewhere accessible. This will make it easy to add notes and update it as you go.
When Is It Time To Take the Next Step?
If your checklist shows a gradual decline in ADL or IADL abilities, it might be time to look into Assisted Living options. This doesn’t necessarily mean a loss of independence; in fact, senior living communities like Charter Senior Living of Washington are designed to support residents’ daily needs while preserving their autonomy and dignity.
Our Assisted Living lifestyle offers compassionate assistance with daily tasks, from dressing and personal hygiene to mobility support and beyond. Residents also enjoy a vibrant community atmosphere, convenient services and amenities, wellness programs, social activities and a comfortable environment in which to thrive.
Benefits of Assisted Living for ADL Support
For many families, moving to an Assisted Living community can enhance a loved one’s quality of life by providing peace of mind and consistent support. Here’s how Charter Senior Living of Washington can support your loved one’s ADL needs:
- Compassionate Assistance: Our trained staff assist with dressing, toileting, personal hygiene and other essential ADLs.
- Engaging Social Life: Residents benefit from a wide range of social activities, offering opportunities to build friendships and enjoy group events.
- Safety and Security: With 24/7 on-site support, our community is designed to provide a secure environment that allows residents to maintain as much independence as possible.
Take the Next Step: Discover Charter Senior Living of Washington
Assessing ADLs and IADLs is an important step in understanding your loved one’s needs. If you find they could benefit from additional support, Charter Senior Living of Washington offers a compassionate, empowering environment to help them live comfortably and confidently.
Contact us today by calling 309.409.0889, and learn how our community can provide personalized support for your loved one, blending care with a commitment to independence.