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What Is an ADL in Home Care?
Date Updated: December 9, 2024
Written by:
Lauren Thomas is a seasoned writer that specializes in long-term care, with a special focus on dementia-related topics. She holds a degree in counseling and uses her knowledge and experience to create insightful content that gives seniors and families the information they need to make important care decisions.
Reviewed by:
Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a health care professional, researcher, and an experienced medical writer (2000+ articles published online and several medical ebooks). She received her MD degree from “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine, Romania, and her HD diploma from OCHM – Toronto, Canada.
An ADL in home care refers to activities of daily living or basic tasks required for independent living. When creating care plans, home care agencies assess an individual’s ability to complete ADLs independently. This process enables them to measure the senior's functional status and determine the services they need to remain in their homes.
Understanding the Basics of ADLs
With home care, ADL stands for “activities of daily living.” These include specific activities individuals must complete to remain in their homes comfortably. ADLs directly affect an individual’s quality of life and ability to maintain autonomy and dignity as they age. Additionally, ADLs contribute to an individual’s general health, as proper nutrition, regular bathing and oral hygiene play a role in preventing infections and health complications.
Before scheduling services, home care agencies typically conduct in-home assessments to discuss challenges prospective clients face related to daily activities. This assessment lets the agency develop a customized care plan that addresses specific needs, whether it’s assistance with meal preparation, bathing or moving around the home.
The Six Essential ADLs
When evaluating your home care needs, agencies look at your ability to complete six basic activities of daily living. These include:
- Ambulating, walking or moving independently around the home
- Eating
- Dressing
- Personal hygiene, including brushing teeth and trimming nails
- Toileting
- Bathing or showering
Along with these ADLs, agencies may look at your ability to complete instrumental activities of daily living, or iADLs. These activities don’t directly impact your ability to care for yourself but are necessary for running a household. They include:
- Paying bills
- Using the phone or internet
- Managing medications
- Driving or using public transportation
- Going grocery shopping and running errands
- Responding to safety alerts, such as tornado sirens or smoke alarms
Evaluating Needs by Assessing ADLs
While many seniors want to remain in their homes for as long as possible, this often hinges on their ability to continue caring for themselves and managing their homes. As tasks become more challenging with advanced age or disability, it’s important to get the necessary support. Home care agencies specialize in identifying the areas in which clients need help and tailoring service plans to fit their needs.