ADL Medical Abbreviation: Activities of Daily Living

happy senior household, the mother, a beautiful senior woman, takes care of the laundry using a washing machine. It's a routine part of their lifestyle to keep their home clean and organized

Leave it to the healthcare industry to come up with yet another few acronyms to add to their extensive list – ADLs and IADLs. These are common terms in the healthcare field used to outline the everyday self-care tasks that a person engages in on a regular basis to stay independent and well.

These acronyms frequently come up in discussions about non medical home care options for a senior loved one. You might also see them if you’re researching the cost of long-term senior care for yourself or someone you know.

If you work in the healthcare industry, you are likely very acquainted with what these terms mean and why they are important. But many family members of older individuals don’t work in the health care arena, and could really use a helpful explanation of what these terms mean and why they matter so much. So just what are ADLs and IADLs and why should you give thought to them?

What Does ADL Stand For?

The medical abbreviation ADL stands for “Activities of Daily Living.” These are everyday personal care activities that are fundamental to caring for oneself and maintaining independence. ADLs can include things like:

Taking a bath or shower
Getting dressed in the morning and undressed at night before bed
Being able to feed one’s self, as well as chew and swallow without assistance
Moving around from one place to another within the environment
Maintaining personal hygiene such as oral care and hair care
Going to the bathroom by one’s self and cleaning up afterward

What Does IADL Stand For?

IADL refers to “Instrumental Activities of Daily Living.” These are activities related to independent living and are valuable for assessing individuals with early-stage disease, both to determine the level of disease and to determine the person’s ability to care for himself or herself. IADLs can encompass things such as:

Ability to do household chores and laundry
Ability to take medications as they are prescribed
If one is able to manage one’s finances
If one can shop independently for food or other necessities
Ability to use the phone or other methods of communication
If one is able to use transportation to get around one’s community

Taking a look at a person’s ADLs and IADLs is one of the initial steps when creating an in-home care plan or identifying an appropriate referral for care. A person’s ADL and IADL assistance levels will help determine the amount and type of home care that are most appropriate for that individual.

Schedule a Free Consultation With an In-Home Caregiver

At Home & Hearth Caregivers, we are committed to supporting the independence and dignity of every individual we serve through assistance with ADLs and IADLs. Schedule a free in-home consultation for help identifying your loved one’s needs.