Confused by terms like “ADLs” and “IADLs”? We break down exactly what these tasks are and how they are used to determine if your loved one needs home care support.
If you have started researching senior care, applying for Long-Term Care Insurance, or speaking with a geriatrician, you have likely heard two acronyms thrown around constantly: ADLs and IADLs.
They sound like medical jargon, but they are actually the most practical tools we have for assessing a senior’s ability to live independently. Understanding these terms empowers you to advocate for your loved one and helps you pinpoint exactly where they need help.
At Shal We Home Care, our initial assessments in Lee, Collier, and Hendry counties are built around these metrics. Here is a deep dive into what they mean and why they matter.
What are ADLs? (Activities of Daily Living)
ADLs are the fundamental skills required to care for oneself. These are the things we do from the moment we wake up. A difficulty with ADLs is usually the trigger for hiring hands-on Personal Care.
There are 6 primary ADLs:
- Bathing: The ability to clean oneself. Sign of need: Fear of the shower, body odor, or inability to safely step into a tub.
- Dressing: The ability to select appropriate clothes and physically put them on. Sign of need: Wearing pajamas all day, struggle with buttons/zippers, or wearing winter clothes in Florida heat.
- Toileting: The ability to get to and from the toilet, use it, and clean oneself. Sign of need: Soiled clothing, odors, or infections.
- Transferring: The ability to move from bed to chair, or chair to walker. Sign of need: Getting “stuck” in a recliner, bedsores from not moving, or falls.
- Continence: The ability to control bladder and bowel functions. Sign of need: Reliability on adult diapers without the ability to change them independently.
- Feeding: The physical ability to get food from the plate to the mouth. Sign of need: Weight loss or dehydration despite food being available.
Note: Most Long-Term Care Insurance policies require a senior to need help with at least 2 out of 6 ADLs to trigger benefits.
What are IADLs? (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living)
These are more complex thinking and organizational skills needed to live independently in a community. A senior might be physically able to dress (ADL) but mentally unable to manage money (IADL).
Struggles with IADLs are often the first sign of early dementia or cognitive decline. This usually triggers the need for Companion Care.
Common IADLs include:
- Managing Finances: Paying bills on time, balancing a checkbook, avoiding scams.
- Managing Medication: Taking the right dose at the right time and refilling prescriptions.
- Transportation: Driving safely or arranging public transport.
- Shopping: Buying groceries and necessities.
- Meal Preparation: Planning and cooking healthy meals safely (turning off the stove).
- Housekeeping: Laundry, dishes, and keeping a hygienic home environment.
- Communication: Using the telephone or mail.
How to Use This Checklist
Take a moment to observe your loved one this week. Go through these lists.
- If they struggle with IADLs only: They likely need Companion Care. They need a “Personal Assistant” to help with driving, cooking, and reminders, but they are physically independent.
- If they struggle with ADLs: They likely need Personal Care. They need a Home Health Aide (HHA) or CNA to provide hands-on physical assistance for safety.
How Shalwe Home Care Can Help
We provide support for both categories.
- For IADLs: We grocery shop, cook, drive, and provide medication reminders.
- For ADLs: Our trained caregivers assist with dignified bathing, dressing, toileting, and safe transfers.
By identifying the specific gaps in your loved one’s abilities, we can create a Personalized Care Plan that targets those exact needs—neither hovering too much nor helping too little.
Ready for an assessment?
Contact Shal We Home Care today. We can perform a professional ADL/IADL assessment in the comfort of your home to help you understand exactly what level of care is required.
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Categories:
- Care Planning
- Senior Health
- Home Care 101
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Tags:
- ADLs vs IADLs
- Activities of Daily Living Checklist
- Assessing Senior Independence
- Long Term Care Insurance Triggers
- Shalwe Home Care
- Personal Care vs Companion Care
