# What are ADLs?

> There is a common term that you will hear if you are researching assisted living or memory care communities: ADLs. ADL stands for Activities of Daily Living. These are everyday tasks that, as we age, may become impossible or extremely difficult for one to do without assistance…

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- URL: https://aegisv2.epekdigital.com/resources/blog/what-are-adls
- Category: assisted-living-basics
- Tags: assisted-living, memory-care, nutrition, exercise-fitness, moving-in, legal-planning, for-seniors
- Published: 2019-12-10

There is a common term that you will
hear if you are researching assisted living or memory care communities: ADLs.  ADL stands for Activities of Daily
Living.  These are everyday tasks that,
as we age, may become impossible or extremely difficult for one to do without
assistance.  Often when ADLs are
mentioned, it’s because your loved one or parent can’t perform these tasks daily.   If your loved one has difficulty with one or
several of these basic tasks, they may find great comfort, relief, and better
safety in an assisted living or memory care community or with in-home care where
a caregiver can support them.

### Common tasks that are termed ADLs are:

**Walking:**  The ability for one to walk independently
around their home inside and outside

**Eating:**  Whether a person can feed themselves or if
they need help holding a utensil or need to be fed.

**Toileting:**  Which means getting on and off the toilet and
the ability to properly use the restroom and clean themselves.

**Bathing:**  Able to bathe and wash, care for their nails,
hair, and teeth, and grooming and managing one’s appearance.

**Dressing:**  Able to select appropriate clothing for the weather
and/or an occasion and able to put on clothing (in the correct order) and
remove clothing.

**Transferring:** Ability
to move from one position to another, including from a bed to a chair (or
wheelchair) or from a chair to standing.

Seniors value their independence.  It’s important that if they need assistance,
that help is given with dignity and sensitivity.  Not being able to perform these basic tasks
can leave seniors feeling helpless, frustrated, and even scared.  But there are options to address these care
needs, which can help a senior to thrive.  
When a senior can no longer care for themselves, this is when a
caregiver needs to step in, whether that is a family member, in-home care, or moving
to
an assisted living or memory care community.

In addition to ADLs, there is a second
category: IADLs.  IADLS stands for
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living.  
These tasks are often grouped with or also referred to as ADLs, but
these are more complicated skills needed for your loved one to live
independently and thrive.

### Examples of IADLs include:

Basic Home
Maintenance:    Able to maintain the
upkeep of their home inside and out, and housework like doing laundry, folding
clothing, cleaning, taking out the garbage.

Financial
Management:  Ability to pay their bills,
manage their finances, and balance their checkbook.

**Transportation:**  Driving a car safely or successfully
navigating public transit or getting rides.

**Shopping:**  Ability to grocery shop and keep household
stocked with necessary personal items and food.

**Meal Prep:** Ability to prepare meals for good health, healthy weight, [hydration](https://www.aegisliving.com/resource-center/dehydration-concerns-for-your-parent/), and nutrition.

Communication
with Others:  Whether they can use the
telephone or other devices to stay connected. 
Able to get the mail.

Medication
Management:  Taking medications as
prescribed on time and in the correct dosage and replacing empty prescriptions.

### Time for Care Assistance

These more complex tasks are activities
that, as adults, we have done all our lives.  
But when an aging loved one manages multiple medications, illness,
frailty, mobility issues, memory loss, or even a lack of stamina, they may be
less able to handle these tasks that we take for granted.  Difficulty with ADLs and IADLs is often the
signal to many families that their loved one is no longer healthy or safe
living on their own.  And keep in mind, your
parent may be scared to ask for help or embarrassed to raise the issue.  It’s important to understand ADLs, so you
know what to look for in your parent’s or loved one’s current living situation.

At Aegis Living, our goal is to assist
seniors with the care that they need - whether that is getting dressed in the
morning, managing their medications throughout the day or supporting them in
other personal tasks.  Because if we can
help them with these tasks, then they are free to live as independently as they
can and enjoy their days with new neighbors and friends.

Families also enjoy the peace of mind
knowing that care staff is available around-the-clock to assist their parent or
loved one if they need help.  If your
parent needs assistance with ADLs or IADLs, tour an [Aegis Living](https://www.aegisliving.com/find-a-community/) community
and see how your loved one can thrive.