Daily Personal Activities

As we grow older based on our physical and mental capabilities, our needs vary across all categories. Domestic Activities of Daily Living (DADLs), for example - Your hobbies, tend to be the first type of activities that you stop doing. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), for example – Cleaning our homes, tends to be an activity we first seek additional support in doing such as hiring a house cleaner. These don't tend to threaten our independence and with the little help you receive you have the ability to remain in your home. The third category is called activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Unfortunately ADLs cannot be skipped or avoided without affecting your health and safety.

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The reason for this is because they directly tie to an individual’s independence and with home care providers such as Connected Home Care getting help in these areas is what gives someone the ability to remain in their home healthy and safe.

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It is quite common for older individuals to need help performing IADLs before ADLs activities. While they may have the desire to perform the different levels of activities safely and successfully, it is important that you seek a professional assessment if you have concerns. Seniors are not known to ask for help because of the fear and pride of losing one's independence, which puts them at a higher risk of being in an unsafe situation which may potentially result in a trip to the hospital.

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Personal Care Assistance or Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

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Activities of Daily Living or ADLs consist of self-care tasks. One way you are able to think of this is that these are the things people do when they get up in the morning and when getting ready to leave their house.

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• Get into/out of bed or chair

• Bathing or Showering

• Personal hygiene

• Toilet hygiene

• Walking / Climbing Stairs

• Getting Dressed

• Eating

• Safety /emergency responses

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Lifestyle Support or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

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Instrumental Activities of Daily Living or IADLs are activities that are related to a person living independently by themselves or taking care of a spouse, partner or child. These are not activities that are related to fundamental functioning.

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• Shopping/ Getting Groceries

• Preparing meals

• Transportation (Driving/Public)

• Running Errands / Appointments

• Using Phone/Technology

• Managing Medication

• Managing Finances

• Cleaning / Maintaining home

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Activity Assistance or Domestic Activities of Daily Living (DADLs)

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Domestic Activities of Daily Living or DADLs include engaging in fine art such as painting or working with clay, mental exercise of doing puzzles or learning new things, playing a musical instrument or aerobic exercise such as riding a bike or hiking. These are important activities in measuring the quality of one's life but they are commonly no longer done once an individual is no longer physically able to them.

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• Hobbies requiring dexterity or fine motor skill

• Care of pets

• Companionship/Socialization

• Mental exercise

• Activities in the community

• Lite exercise

• Exertive exercise

• Care of others

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While each senior ages differently there is a need for ADL support when there is an early loss function is hygiene, the mid-loss functions are motion/transferring and toilet use, and the late loss function is eating.

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Ready to set started. Schedule a Free in-home assessment!

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To help you determine the level of assistance that makes the most sense for you or your loved one, we offer a free, in-home assessment. These assessments evaluate an individual’s cognitive, physical and social well-being. A home safety check will also be a part of this initial assessment. Call today to learn more and to schedule a complimentary assessment.