When you or a loved one enters assisted living or a similar communal setting, it is typically because they are having trouble with their activities of daily living (ADL). These primarily non-medical tasks are supported by a caregiver to assist a resident with the necessities of daily life. The resident can then live as independently as possible thanks to the assistance. The majority of ADLs are fundamental self-care activities that you learn as a child, such as toileting, dressing, bathing, feeding, and so on. Contrast to these are the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), which are comparable but require more sophisticated abilities. The two types of daily activities are described in more detail below.
Activities of Daily Living and Independence
The ability to execute ADLs has an impact on your loved one’s capacity to live independently as they age. As a result, they may not be able to take good care of themselves, and their abilities will be taken into account when a medical expert or social worker assesses your loved one to determine placement in a community.
The cost of hiring a home health care provider to administer the ADLs should be partially or entirely covered by your loved one’s health insurance, depending on the policy. Most of these caregivers are registered nurse aides by the state. While residing in an assisted living community, these services may also be covered by insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. For more details, it is essential to check with your provider.
Activities of Daily Living
ADLs are prevalent in retirement communities. There are many types of assistance available for residents, including skilled nursing, assisted living, and home health aide. Most people perform these normal tasks on their own every day without assistance but some may have restricted abilities due to deteriorating health or mobility. The kind of long-term care your loved one needs depends on their capacity to carry out these responsibilities.
The six ADLs are frequently known as:
- Toileting – Going to and from the toilet.
- Continence – Controlling your bowel and bladder movements.
- Showering – Taking a shower, shaving, and brushing your teeth.
- Dressing – Putting on your own clothes without assistance from zippers or buttons.
- Feeding – Easily supplying oneself with food.
- Mobility – Walking or transitioning from a wheelchair to a bed and back.
Nursing homes, continuous care retirement communities, and assisted living communities can all provide assistance to people who need it for basic daily living activities.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
To live independently and without assistance, you often need advanced abilities for these instrumental daily activities. These IADL abilities are typically learned by adults in their teens. They consist of:
- Operating a standard phone
- Arranging transportation
- Knowing how to manage your money
- Administering medicines
- Purchasing food, clothing, etc.
- Preparing and cooking food
- Cleaning and maintaining their home
- Taking care of a pet
Instrumental daily living activities might be difficult for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Memory care communities and continuous care retirement communities will be able to assist with these activities.
