Activities Of Daily Living

The five basic activities of daily living (ADLs) are based on the six functions from the Katz Index. These include bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, and the ability to feed oneself. These activities reflect a person's ability to manage essential self-care tasks in an assisted living community. The sixth ADL is controlling continence, which some organizations merge with toileting.

The seven instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) assess a person's ability to live independently and manage everyday life. These IADLs are managing finances, handling transportation, meal preparation, shopping, using communication devices, managing medications, and housekeeping.

The NHS defines 12 activities of daily living as personal care, mobility, eating and drinking, elimination (bladder and bowel function), controlling temperature, keeping safe, communicating, breathing, maintaining relationships, working and playing, expressing sexuality, and selecting appropriate clothes. Additionally, being able to pay bills and manage personal finances are included under IADLs.