Taber's Medical Dictionary
activities of daily living
ABBR: ADL Tasks performed by people in a typical day that allow independent living. Basic activities of daily living (BADL) include feeding, dressing, hygiene, and mobility. Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) include more advanced skills such as managing personal finances, using transportation, telephoning, cooking, performing household chores, doing laundry, and shopping.
The ability to perform activities of daily living may be hampered by illness or accident resulting in physical or mental disability. Health care rehabilitation workers play a significant role in teaching people to maintain or relearn these skills so that they can achieve the highest possible degree of independence.
PATIENT CARE
The nurse and other members of the rehabilitation team, including occupational and physical therapists, assess the patient's ability to perform ADLs. The rehabilitation team instructs and trains the patient in techniques to relearn the skill, or to accommodate for inability to perform the task. Where appropriate, family members are involved in the rehabilitation program. Referrals to community agencies are arranged when specific tasks cannot be performed independently. SEE TABLE: Activities of Daily Living and Factors Affecting Them
Activities of Daily Living and Factors Affecting Them
| Category | Activities | Affecting Factors |
| Personal care | Climbing stairs, moving into and out of chair or bed, feeding oneself, opening containers, dressing, using toilet, maintaining hygiene, taking medication | Altered mobility, physical, mental, or emotional illness, elimination problems |
| Family responsibilities | Shopping, cooking, doing laundry, cleaning, caring for yard, caring for family and pets, managing money | Altered mobility, heavy work schedule, insomnia, physical, mental, or emotional illness |
| Work or school | Fulfilling work responsibilities or school assignments, getting to and from work or school | Altered mobility, stress, heavy family demands, job dissatisfaction, difficulties in school, physical, mental, or emotional illness |
| Recreation | Pursuing hobbies and interests, exercising, reading, watching television | Altered mobility, physical, mental, or emotional illness |
| Socialization | Using the telephone, traveling, visiting family and friends, joining group activities, expressing sexuality | Altered mobility, physical, mental, or emotional illness, relocation |
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