As we age, it’s natural to notice changes in our physical abilities and energy levels. Simple tasks that once felt effortless might take more time or require extra thought.
And while we typically think of getting older meaning that we may have more trouble keeping up with major tasks like home maintenance or landscaping, sometimes we struggle with smaller but essential tasks, too.
Understanding activities of daily living—commonly called ADLs—can help you recognize when these changes might affect your independence and what support options can help you maintain the best quality of life and as much independence as possible.
In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about ADLs, including what they are, what meets the threshold for “needing assistance,” and signs it may be time to consider additional support like assisted living.
When we talk about activities of daily living, there are six tasks that we focus on first. These tasks determine our ability to live independently and care for ourselves safely, and based on the widely-used Katz Index of Independence. They include the following.
Bathing involves the ability to wash your entire body safely and thoroughly. This includes:
Bathing challenges often appear early when people begin needing assistance, as it requires good balance, flexibility, and the ability to stand for extended periods.
Dressing includes:
While dressing is something we don’t think much about, it actually requires a significant amount of flexibility, fine motor skills, balance, and cognitive ability.
Toileting includes:
This ADL is particularly important for both dignity and hygiene. Difficulties with toileting often prompt families to consider additional support.
Transferring refers to the ability to move safely from one position to another, and may include:
This fundamental mobility skill affects nearly every other daily activity and is crucial for preventing falls and ensuring that you can get where you need to go.
Continence involves controlling bladder and bowel functions.
While sometimes combined with toileting, continence represents the physiological ability to control these functions instead of just getting to and from the toilet safely and hygienically. Continence can be affected by medical conditions, medications, or age-related changes.
Feeding centers around the ability to get food from a plate to your mouth, including:
This doesn’t include meal preparation, just the physical act of eating independently.
While the six tasks above are your standard ADLs, there are additional capabilities that healthcare providers often assess when evaluating someone’s functional ability. These activities often become challenging before basic ADLs and can signal the need for additional support from family, senior living, or even assisted living.
These tasks all play a vital role in determining whether someone is able to care for themselves safely and independently.
Because our needs are all unique, it can be difficult to know when we actually “need help.”
You struggle with mobility and aren’t able to get up and walk around, but are able to rely on an assistive device like a cane, a walker, or a wheelchair. If so, you don’t meet the criteria for being unable to transport or getting to the toilet, because you’re able to do so independently.
If you’re unable to get yourself to and from the walker or wheelchair, however, or if you’re unable to wash using soap in the shower, you need help with those related ADLs.
The help we need is highly individualized for all of us. For some people, it means having their children check over our accounts to make sure that the bills are paid or to hire a housekeeper. In other cases, it may mean we need an occasional in-home nurse or to consider supportive care in a different living environment.
Recognizing when ADL challenges indicate the need for additional support requires honest assessment of safety, health, and quality of life factors. Several signs suggest it might be time to explore assisted living or other care options:
If you’re already struggling with one of the six essential ADLs or you’re starting to have a hard time with other essential tasks, it may be time to consider additional support.
Assisted living communities specialize in providing personalized assistance with ADLs while promoting independence and dignity. Staff members are trained to help with bathing, dressing, medication management, and other daily tasks in ways that respect your preferences and maintain your autonomy whenever possible.
The goal of assisted living isn’t to take over your life—it’s to provide exactly the support you need with ADLs so you can focus on the activities and relationships that bring you joy. Many residents find that getting help with challenging daily tasks actually increases their independence by freeing up energy for social activities, hobbies, and time with family.
RELATED READING: What is Assisted Living?
RELATED READING: How to Know When It’s Time for Senior Living
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If you’re unsure, we always recommend consulting with your family and your healthcare team. They can help you make an informed decision that’s best for you.
Disclaimer: Information provided above may vary by community. We encourage you to speak directly with each Senior Living community to confirm specific details and ensure the community is the right fit for your individual needs and preferences.
