Activities of daily living
ADLs measure self-care ability and functional independence.
In healthcare, "activities of daily living" (ADLs) describe the routine self-care tasks people perform each day. Clinicians assess whether a person can complete these tasks to gauge their functional status. The idea was first introduced in the 1950s by Sidney Katz and his colleagues at the Benjamin Rose Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Over time, other researchers have built upon this concept; for example, in 1969, Lawton and Brody created the category of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) to cover the broader tasks needed for living independently.
Basic ADLs include feeding oneself, bathing, dressing, grooming, and managing personal hygiene after using the toilet. These are typically learned in early childhood, while instrumental tasks such as working, homemaking, managing money, and preparing meals are usually acquired during adolescence. What counts as a specific ADL can differ from person to person, shaped by factors like cultural background and education level. National surveys in the U.S. have tracked ADL status across the population. Someone unable to perform essential ADLs may face a lower quality of life or unsafe living conditions, often requiring help from others or mechanical devices such as electric lifting chairs, bathtub transfer benches, or ramps.
Basic self-care tasks encompass bathing and showering; personal hygiene and grooming (including brushing, combing, and styling hair); dressing; toilet hygiene (getting to the toilet, cleaning oneself, and standing back up); functional mobility or transferring (walking, getting in and out of bed or a chair, and moving between places during activities); and self-feeding (the act of eating itself, not assisted feeding). The Functional Independence Measure, developed in 1983, rates ADLs on a scale from 0 to 7 based on assistance needed: 7 means complete independence, 6 is modified independence, 5 requires supervision or setup, 4 needs minimal assistance, 3 moderate assistance, 2 maximal assistance, 1 total assistance, and 0 indicates the activity does not occur.
Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are not necessary for basic daily functioning but allow a person to live independently in a community. They include cleaning and maintaining the house, managing money, moving within the community, preparing meals, shopping for groceries and necessities, taking prescribed medications, an
- origin
- 1950s
- originators
- Sidney Katz and team at Benjamin Rose Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio
- field
- Healthcare
- related_concept
- Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), developed 1969 by Lawton and Brody
- assessment_tool
- Functional Independence Measure (FIM), developed 1983
Lore & Background
The concept of ADLs was originally proposed in the 1950s by Sidney Katz and his team at the Benjamin Rose Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Since then, numerous researchers have expanded on the concept. For instance, many indexes that assess ADLs incorporate measures of mobility. In 1969, Lawton and Brody developed the concept of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) to capture the range of activities that support independent living. These are often utilized in caring for individuals with disabilities, injuries, and the elderly.
Reader's Guide
Activities of daily living are foundational to assessing functional status in healthcare. Basic ADLs include self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and self-feeding, while IADLs cover more complex activities like managing money, preparing meals, and using communication devices. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM), developed in 1983, uses a 0 to 7 scale to evaluate ADLs based on assistance required. Occupational and physical therapists use ADL assessments to design interventions that help patients regain independence. Assistance with ADLs is required in nursing and long-term care settings, and personal assistance may offer benefits to elderly individuals and their informal caretakers. Cultural background and education level can influence a person's perception of their functional abilities.
Did You Know?
- The concept of ADLs was originally proposed in the 1950s by Sidney Katz and his team at the Benjamin Rose Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.
- The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) uses a 0 to 7 scale, where 7 indicates complete independence and 0 indicates the activity does not occur.
- Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) were developed in 1969 by Lawton and Brody.
- A slow walking speed has been linked to an increased risk of falls.
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