ADLs

Define Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Activities oriented toward taking care of one's own body. ADLs also are referred to as basic activities of daily living (BADLs) and personal activities of daily living (PADLs). These activities are "fundamental to living in a social world; they enable basic survival and well-being".

Examples of ADLs

Bathing, showering; Toileting and toilet hygiene; Dressing; Swallowing/eating; Feeding; Functional mobility; Personal device care; Personal hygiene and grooming; Sexual activity

Define Sexual activity

Engaging in activities that result in sexual satisfaction and/or meet relational or reproductive needs.

Define Swallowing/eating

Keeping and manipulation food or fluid in the mouth and swallowing it; swallowing is moving food from the mouth to the stomach.

Define Bathing, showering

Obtaining and using supplies; soaping, rinsing, and drying body parts; maintaining bathing position; and transferring to and from bathing positions.

Define Functional mobility

Moving from one position or place to another (during performance of everyday activities), such as in-bed mobility, wheelchair mobility, and transfers (e.g., wheelchair, bed, car, shower, tub, toilet, chair, floor). Includes functional ambulation and transportation of objects.

Define Personal hygiene and grooming

Obtaining and using supplies; removing body hair (e.g., using razor, tweezers, lotion); applying and removing cosmetics; washing, drying, combing, styling, brushing, and trimming hair; caring for nails (hands and feet); caring for skin, ears, eyes, and nose; applying deodorant; cleaning mouth; brushing and flossing teeth; and removing, cleaning, and reinserting dental orthotics and prosthetics.

Define Toileting and toilet hygiene

Obtaining and using toileting supplies, managing clothing, maintaining toileting position, transferring to and from toileting position, cleaning body, and caring for menstrual and continence needs (including catheter, colostomy, and suppository management), as well as completing intentional control of bowel movements and urination and, if necessary, using equipment or agents for bladder control.

Define Dressing

Selecting clothing and accessories appropriate to time of day, weather, and occasion; obtaining clothing from storage area; dressing and undressing in a sequential fashion; fastening and adjusting clothing and shoes; and applying and removing personal devices, prosthetic devices, or splints.

Define Feeding

Setting up, arranging, and bringing food (or fluid) from the plate or cup to the mouth; sometimes called self-feeding.

Define Personal device care

Using, cleaning, and maintaining personal care items, such as hearing aids, contact lenses, glasses, orthotics, prosthetics, adaptive equipment, glucometers, and contraceptive and sexual devices.