Activities of Daily Living  (ADL’s) Have you heard people talk about the “activities of daily living” or ADL’s?   About one fourth of elderly Americans need help with these personal care activities.   A big part of your job is probably to assist your clients as they perform their ADL’s. The activities of daily living include seven personal care activities: 1.    Eating 2.    Toileting 3.    Dressing 4.    Bathing 5.    Walking 6.    Getting in and out of a bed or a chair 7.    Getting outside Instrumental Activities of Daily Living  (IADL’s) You may also have heard about “instrumental activities of daily living”.  IADL’s are important activities— especially for people who live on their own.  These “instrumental” activities include six home management activities: 1.    Preparing meals 2.    Shopping for personal items 3.    Managing money 4.    Using the telephone 5.    Doing heavy housework 6.    Doing light housework Activities can help pass the time and/or be a fun way for people to maintain or regain function.  For example, Mr. Wilson is recovering from a mild stroke that affected his right arm and hand.  He finds working on a jigsaw puzzle a pleasant way to spend his time.  But, because he’s trying to pick up the puzzle pieces with his weak right hand, this activity is also therapy for him. Remember...activities can: · Entertain...like watching a movie. · Provide a distraction... like playing cards. · Promote communication...like chatting with friends. · Complete a necessary task...like taking a bath. · Have a therapeutic value...like going for a walk. · Stimulate thinking...like doing a crossword puzzle. · Promote creativity...like painting a picture. · Improve the quality of life...like any of the above! And, activities can be: · Planned...like a weekly outing to church. · Spur-of-the- moment...like singing along with a song on the radio. · Daily...like getting dressed. · Occasional...like going out to eat. What Counts As An Activity? PAGE TWO Back in George Washington’s time, people didn’t worry about staying active in their old age since the average American only lived to be 35!   Now, the average person lives to be 76...at least 10 years after retirement. Everything you do with your clients can be considered an activity— it’s just that some activities are part of the daily routine and   others make life more fun and interesting!