When it comes to planning for your future, it’s never too early to consider the next steps in your retirement. Having a plan in place while you’re in good health will help you in the event that your health needs change. One term you may encounter as you begin planning is ADLs, or activities of daily living. Used in the context of discussing assisted living, ADLs refer to basic tasks related to self-care. They can be used to measure how much independence someone has, and whether they are a better candidate for independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing or rehabilitation.
This article will tell you about ADLs and how they factor into retirement planning. We’ll also discuss Life Plan Communities, which are a retirement living option that encourages a vibrant, active retirement.
As a Life Plan Community, Sun Health Communities helps residents live life to the fullest in an independent living setting, while also providing access to different levels of care should your needs ever change.
What are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)?
First proposed in 1950 by Dr. Sidney Katz, you can think of ADLs as the basic tasks one must be able to do in order to live independently. Originally, a team of health care providers developed the ADL measurement scale in a long-term rehabilitation hospital that focused on older adults. At that time in the 1950s, there were no guidelines or parameters to define how health care providers should change their approach for people with different capabilities. The team, led by Sidney Katz, performed a study on 64 hip fracture patients in which they studied the patients’ physical, psychological and social wellbeing for eighteen months following their injury. At the time, hip fractures were associated with high mortality rates. In that study, these providers determined they could predict the success of treatment based on whether the patient could perform certain tasks.
These tasks had been updated a few times in the last seventy years, and now researchers, health care providers, insurance companies and more use ADLs as a vital measurement. ADLs are generally considered to include:
- Being able to walk around the home or outside and move your body. You may also hear your health care provider call this term, “ambulating.” This also encompasses being able to change from one position to another with ease.
- Feeding one’s self. This is more in the sense of being dexterous enough to move a fork from a plate to your mouth, and less about being able to swallow.
- Dressing and grooming. This includes picking out and putting on your clothes and maintaining your personal appearance.
- Using the restroom. This encompasses traveling to and from the restroom, using the toilet appropriately and being able to clean one’s self afterwards.
- This includes being able to wash your body and face, either in a bath, a shower or a modulated, accessible shower.
These ADLs can be on a spectrum. For example, you may need an assisted walking device, like a cane or a walker, in order to ambulate safely. Exceptions are made for each of these tasks and a thorough discussion is required between you and your health care team to determine your care needs.
What are Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)?
Similar to ADLs, there is also another measurement known as Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). Whereas some health care providers say that ADLs are typically something learned in childhood, they would quantify IADLs as something typically learned as a teenager. Some of these activities include complex thinking and problem-solving skills. And sometimes, medical providers use these to determine if someone may be a candidate for memory care or another more advanced level of care. These can also be used as criteria to consider when looking at if someone is safely and successfully aging in their home, or what sorts of home modifications they may need.
Some examples of IADLs include:
- Mental support. This encompasses the ability to maintain a positive frame of mind. If someone does not fulfill this IADL, it may be because they are depressed or have suffered a traumatic life event.
- Managing transportation. This includes either being able to drive or being able to organize another form of transportation.
- Planning and preparing meals. This includes getting to the store, being able to choose and purchase groceries and preparing the meal at home.
- Shopping for necessities. This IADL includes purchasing clothing, maintaining a kempt appearance and being able to purchase necessities.
- Cleaning and home maintenance. This includes everything from doing laundry and vacuuming to washing windows and mowing the lawn.
- Keeping up with communication. This includes being able to use a telephone and staying connected with family and friends.
- Managing medications. This includes remembering to take medications, being able to open the pill bottles and refilling them as needed before running out.
- Managing finances. This IADL includes paying bills and managing financial assets.
Occupational therapists may also evaluate several other IADLs, including things like being able to take care of pets or children.
Measurement and Evaluation
The original team that first coined the term, “Activities of Daily Living,” created a measurement scale called “The Katz ADL Scale,” which measures a patient’s capability to live independently. For IADLs, there is a measurement scale known as “The Bristol Activities of Daily Living Scale,” which is a 20-question survey to measure IADLs.
What can ADLs tell me about my living situation?
ADLs can tell us a lot about our health. If you think about ADLs, these activities serve to ensure a person is aging successfully by getting the proper nutrition, taking care of themselves, and staying safe at home.
While it can be an uncomfortable or difficult conversation to have with your health care providers, it is something that will result in many long-term benefits. One of the most important things to note is that not meeting an ADL once does not mean you will always fail to perform that ADL from there on out. Health care needs can change and improve just as easily, so maintaining an honest and open dialogue with your team is crucial!
The Care You Need at Sun Health Communities
Learning about ADLs is another part of an all-encompassing retirement plan. At Sun Health Communities, we have the resources available to determine the best living situation for you—whether you’re able to live independently and are planning for the future, or currently need assistance in a safe environment. Each Sun Health Communities location offers a full suite of health services so that every individual receives the right amount of care for the best possible health. Contact us today to speak with one of our friendly residency counselors.
