Does your elderly loved one have trouble getting in and out of bed? Perhaps bending over to get the laundry isn’t as easy as it used to be. These everyday tasks are known as activities of daily living and are of great importance when evaluating someone’s independence. Below is an in-depth look at activities of daily living and their role in senior care. If your elderly loved one requires home care services in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, don’t hesitate to contact At Home Care of Louisiana today. We are family-owned and operated and place great emphasis on hiring the best caregivers in the industry.
ADLs vs. IADLs
Activities of daily living are a range of activities necessary for the sustenance and well-being of an individual. These activities can be as simple as brushing teeth or eating breakfast. Senior citizens and people with disabilities often have difficulties performing these activities, so they need assistance from family members and caregivers. These everyday tasks are broken down into two categories: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). Both are used to determine how much or little assistance an individual needs to maintain independence or require personal care.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
ADLs are more simple everyday tasks such as the following:
- Dressing
- Bathing
- Feeding
- Grooming
- Toileting
- Lifting and Transferring (Mobility)
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
IADLs are more complex tasks required to maintain home and life, including:
- Medication Management
- Managing Finances and Paying Bills
- Grocery Shopping
- Meal Preparation
- Driving and Transportation
- Housekeeping
- Home Repairs
Activities of Daily Living Assessment Form
According to the CDC, approximately 36 million falls are reported each year among the elderly, resulting in more than 32K deaths. To prevent your elderly loved one from suffering from a fall-related injury, it’s critical to perform an activity of daily living assessment. The standard industry assessment is the Katz Assessment, which provides a score on each individual ADL and a total score. Below is an example assessment form based on the Katz model.
When Is It Time For Senior Care?
Determining the right time to hire extra help is difficult for most families. If your elderly loved one is displaying signs of cognitive decline, fragility, imbalance, or simply is having a difficult time managing small tasks, then consider using the ADL assessment above. If the results show they cannot perform several tasks on the list, then it’s time to consider senior care. It is also vital to consider the cognitive ability of your elderly loved one. Are they suffering from Alzheimer's, dementia, or another form of memory loss? Many forms of senior care are available, from senior living to home care to adult day centers, all playing their essential role.
Home care is the most affordable and practical option for most older adults requiring assistance with activities of daily living. Staying in the home is a familiar setting for the elderly patient, allowing caregivers to provide personalized care in a relaxed environment. If your elderly loved one is displaying signs they need additional support, please contact At Home Care of Louisiana for a home care assessment. We are excited to meet you!
