Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

What are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)?

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) refer to the core set of routine tasks that individuals must perform regularly to sustain life, maintain personal health, and function independently. These tasks are considered the foundation of self-care and are often used by healthcare professionals, social workers, and care coordinators to assess a person's functional status and level of independence.

ADLs are a critical component in determining the need for support services, long-term care, or caregiver assistance. When individuals experience difficulty performing ADLs due to age, illness, injury, or disability, it may indicate a decline in physical or cognitive functioning and trigger eligibility for programs such as IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) or other personal care services.

Understanding ADLs is essential in care planning, as they help identify gaps in daily functioning and guide interventions that promote safety, dignity, and quality of life.

Functions of ADLs

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) refer to the essential self-care tasks individuals perform each day to maintain their health, hygiene, and independence.

These tasks follow a natural daily rhythm, beginning with morning routines such as eating, toileting, brushing teeth, showering, and dressing, and continuing throughout the day with mobility-related functions like walking, transferring between positions (e.g., bed to chair), and managing continence.

In the evening, ADLs include undressing, nighttime hygiene, and preparing for bed.

Examples of Activities of Daily Living

Functions	Details
Transferring	Moving from one position to another, such as from bed to chair or standing up.
Mobility	Moving independently, including walking or using assistive devices.
Continence Management / Diaper Changes	Ability to control bladder and bowel function.
Toileting	Getting to and from the toilet, cleaning oneself, and managing continence.
Dressing	Selecting appropriate clothing and dressing/undressing independently.
Eating	The ability to feed oneself, including bringing food to the mouth and chewing/swallowing.
Bathing / Showering	Safely washing the body, including getting in and out of the tub or shower.

Real World Examples

A caregiver supports an adult client who uses incontinence products due to mobility limitations. Throughout the day, the caregiver assists with changing the client's diaper, ensuring proper hygiene, skin care, and comfort.

This includes helping the client transfer safely to a bed or chair, removing the soiled diaper, cleaning the area, applying protective cream, and putting on a fresh diaper.

These tasks are documented under Toileting and Continence Management, both of which are classified as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). The caregiver’s role in this process is essential to maintaining the client’s dignity, preventing skin breakdown, and supporting overall health.

Providing care for those who can't