ADL is an acronym that stands for "Activities of Daily Living." It refers to the basic self-care tasks and abilities that individuals must perform on a regular basis in order to live independently and maintain a reasonable quality of life. ADL encompasses the essential activities that reflect one's functional capacity and ability to take care of oneself physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The activities included in ADL consist of six main categories: personal hygiene, such as bathing, grooming, and oral care; dressing and undressing; eating and drinking; mobility and transferring, which involves moving around, standing, and getting in and out of bed or chairs; toileting, which includes using the toilet, maintaining continence, and managing bowel and bladder hygiene; and lastly, maintaining one's home environment, which involves light housekeeping, meal preparation, and managing personal finances.
ADL serves as a measure or assessment tool utilized in various settings, including healthcare, gerontology, and disability support services. It helps professionals determine an individual's ability to perform these essential daily tasks and can also be used to assess functional decline, establish care plans, and provide the appropriate level of assistance or support needed for independent living.
Ultimately, ADL is a crucial concept in understanding and evaluating an individual's self-care abilities and overall functional independence.
