As loved ones age, it becomes increasingly important for families to understand the concept of activities of daily living (ADLs) and how they impact their loved ones’ daily lives. ADLs are essential tasks that aging-in-place individuals must be able to perform independently to maintain their safety, health, and well-being.
Understanding ADLs can help families determine the level of care their aging loved one may need as they explore different senior care options. Read on to learn more about activities of daily living, including essential facts every senior and family caregiver should know.
What are activities of daily living?
Activities of daily living are a set of essential tasks that individuals must be able to perform independently to maintain their self-reliance. These tasks are typically grouped together as they are necessary for maintaining a person’s overall health and well-being. The six basic ADLs include:
- Bathing: Cleaning oneself and performing grooming activities.
- Dressing: Selecting appropriate clothing and dressing independently.
- Eating: Feeding oneself independently.
- Toileting: Using the toilet independently.
- Transferring: Moving from one position to another, such as from a bed to a chair.
- Continence: Controlling bladder and bowel function.
In addition to basic ADLs, there are instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), which are more complex tasks necessary for independent living. IADLs include managing finances, grocery shopping, preparing meals, taking medication, and maintaining a household.
How to determine if someone can perform ADLs independently
Determining one’s level of independence with ADLs is vital in assessing their overall well-being and care needs. Health care professionals such as doctors, nurses, and occupational therapists can evaluate a senior’s ability to perform ADLs through various means. They may observe the individual performing the tasks, ask questions about their daily routines, or use standardized assessment tools to evaluate their level of independence.
Assessment of independence with ADLs is typically categorized as the person being able to complete the tasks independently, needing minimal assistance, or requiring total assistance. Understanding a senior’s level of independence with ADLs can help families make informed decisions about their care needs and explore appropriate senior care options.
Activities of daily living affect long-term care options
Understanding a senior’s ability to perform ADLs is crucial when considering different senior care options. Different types of senior living or long-term care options have varying levels of support for individuals who have difficulty performing ADLs on their own. Here are some key considerations for each type of senior care option:
Independent living
Independent living communities are best suited for seniors who can still perform ADLs independently but may benefit from some support with housekeeping, transportation, or meal preparation. These communities offer a more social environment and a range of amenities for active seniors.
Independent living communities typically do not offer services that help residents with activities of daily living. If an individual requires help, they may need to hire a home care agency caregiver to come to their home to provide those services. If someone lives in the independent living wing of a community with multiple levels of care, they will usually not receive those services. They may be able to add the services they require if they’re available at the community, though. This would increase the monthly cost, and depending on the community, the resident may be required to move apartments to the assisted living area of the community.
Home care
Home care services are tailor-made for seniors who wish to remain in their homes but need some assistance with ADLs. In-home caregivers can help with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, medication reminders, companionship, and other essential ADL tasks. Whether an individual needs help with one activity of daily living, like bathing, or multiple, like bathing, dressing, and toileting, a home care agency can send a caregiver to the person’s home to ensure these tasks get done safely and comfortably.
Since this type of care is typically provided on an hourly basis, a person needing more extensive assistance with ADLs might be better suited to move to a long-term care community, where they can have access to caregivers 24 hours a day. Assisted living or a nursing home may be a better choice, depending on the level of care needed.
Assisted living
Assisted living facilities support seniors who need some assistance with ADLs but do not require the intensive care provided in a nursing home. These facilities typically assist residents as needed with various personal care tasks, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, medication management, and other daily tasks.
In addition to offering assistance with ADLs, assisted living communities also commonly offer daily meals and snacks, organized activities, and access to other services to support residents’ life holistically.
Nursing homes
Nursing homes are suitable for seniors who require around-the-clock supervision and ADL assistance. Nursing home residents often need help with all or most of the ADLs in addition to skilled nursing care. If an individual requires help with a certain number of ADLs, they may not qualify to live in assisted living communities depending on the state’s requirements, and becoming a nursing home resident may be their primary option to get the care they need.
How ADLs impact long-term care payment options
ADLs play a significant role in determining eligibility for selected senior care payment options, including long-term care insurance (LTCi) policies, life insurance policies, and Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. Here’s how ADLs impact these payment options in more detail:
Long-term care insurance (LTCi)
Many long-term care insurance (LTCi) policies require individuals to demonstrate a need for assistance with ADLs to qualify for benefits. The inability to perform a certain number of ADLs may trigger coverage under the policy. Policyholders who can document with a health care provider that they qualify to claim on their policy may be reimbursed for the daily amount their policy covers. This can go a long way to pay for long-term care expenses, like home care services, assisted living, or nursing home care.
Life insurance with a long-term care rider
Some life insurance policies offer long-term care (LTC) riders that allow policyholders to access their death benefit to cover the cost of long-term care services. ADLs are often used to determine eligibility for benefits under an LTC rider.
VA Aid and Attendance benefit
U.S. military Veterans and spouses who need assistance with ADLs may be eligible to receive the VA Aid and Attendance benefit if they meet other financial and military service requirements. This benefit provides additional income to qualifying Veterans and their spouses who require help with activities of daily living.
Final thoughts about activities of daily living
Activities of daily living are essential tasks that aging-in-place seniors must be able to perform independently to maintain a safe and healthy lifestyle. Considering ADLs when evaluating senior care and payment options empowers families to make better-informed decisions, prioritizing their aging loved one’s safety, well-being, and quality of life.
Understanding the importance of ADLs and how they impact payment options and available benefits can help families proactively plan for the cost of senior care, empowering their loved ones to navigate the aging process with renewed confidence and peace of mind.
