Care Guide
What Are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)?
Activities of daily living, or ADLs, are the basic self-care tasks a person does every day to take care of themselves. Doctors, nurses, and insurers use ADLs to measure how independent someone is and how much help they need at home.
Quick Answer
Activities of daily living (ADLs) are the six basic self-care tasks: bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring (moving in and out of a bed or chair), and continence. A related group, instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), covers tasks like cooking, managing medication, and handling money. How many ADLs a person struggles with is a key measure of whether they need home care.
Key Takeaways
- The **6 ADLs** are bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, and continence.
- **IADLs** are more complex tasks like cooking, medication, and managing money.
- Trouble with ADLs is a **key sign someone needs help at home**.
- Insurers and long-term care policies often use **ADLs to decide coverage**.
The 6 Basic Activities of Daily Living
Health professionals group the core self-care tasks into six ADLs:
- Bathing: Washing the body safely in a tub, shower, or at the sink.
- Dressing: Choosing clothes and putting them on and off.
- Eating: Feeding oneself, though not necessarily preparing the food.
- Toileting: Getting to and from the toilet and managing hygiene.
- Transferring: Moving in and out of a bed, chair, or wheelchair.
- Continence: Controlling the bladder and bowels.
What Are IADLs?
Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are the more complex skills that let a person live independently: preparing meals, managing medications, handling money and bills, shopping, doing housework and laundry, using the phone or technology, and arranging transportation. People often need help with IADLs before they need help with basic ADLs.
How ADLs Guide Home Care
When a person has trouble with one or more ADLs, it is usually time to consider help at home. Focus Family Care home health aides provide hands-on personal care with bathing, dressing, toileting, and transferring, while companion care supports IADLs like meals, errands, and light housekeeping. A registered nurse assesses which tasks a person needs help with and builds the plan. Long-term care insurance often uses the number of ADLs a person cannot do to decide when benefits begin.
How We Know This
Focus Family Care is a Florida-licensed home health agency and nurse registry (License NR #30211928, HHA #299995403) accredited by ACHC. Guidance on this page is reviewed by the agency's Director of Nursing, and coverage details are verified with each family's insurance before care begins.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 6 ADLs?
The six activities of daily living are bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring (moving in and out of a bed or chair), and continence. They measure a person's ability to care for themselves.
What is the difference between ADLs and IADLs?
ADLs are basic self-care tasks like bathing and dressing. IADLs are more complex tasks that support independent living, such as cooking, managing medication, and handling money.
How many ADLs before you need home care?
There is no fixed number, but trouble with even one or two ADLs, such as bathing or transferring safely, is a common reason to start home care. A nurse can assess the level of help needed.
Do long-term care insurance policies use ADLs?
Yes. Many long-term care insurance policies begin paying benefits when a person needs help with a set number of ADLs, often two or more. Focus Family Care can help verify your policy.
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