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<\/h1>\n<\/h1>\nIf you\u2019ve spent any time researching senior care, accompanying a senior loved one to the doctor, or helping your loved one with their insurance paperwork, you may have encountered the acronym ADL. It\u2019s a term that\u2019s commonly used and important for seniors and their loved ones to understand.<\/p>\n
ADL stands for activities of daily living. ADLs are the basic self-care tasks that are usually learned in early childhood and can help determine what type of care an elderly loved one may need.<\/p>\n
These activities include:<\/p>\n
These activities are all things we tend to take for granted when we\u2019re healthy. For most of your life, you probably didn\u2019t think twice about getting out of bed or brushing your hair each morning. Due to a variety of health issues and the general effects of aging though, many of these tasks start to become difficult for seniors to complete on their own.<\/p>\n
One of the main ways families know that a loved one can no longer live alone is when they begin to have trouble with ADLs.<\/p>\n
While the medical community talks more often about ADLs, there\u2019s another important category for families to be aware of as well: the instrumental activities of daily living or IADLs.<\/p>\n
IADLs are tasks that are still important to living independently, but don\u2019t require the same level of care to complete as ADLs. They aren\u2019t a requirement for basic health and survival, but they do make a big difference in quality of life and long-term well being.<\/p>\n
The main IADLs to be aware of are:<\/p>\n
Not being able to handle these on your own doesn\u2019t mean you need full-time care, but it does point toward a need for general help. And if a senior is having a hard time with a number of these, it could mean they\u2019re no longer fit to live on their own safely.<\/p>\n
Knowing the list of ADLs can give you the language to better analyze and talk about your loved one\u2019s care needs. The term and the associated list are commonly used in medical and senior care conversations for two main reasons.<\/p>\n
When you\u2019re trying to determine what type of care is best for your loved one, it helps to sit down and really define the specific needs they have. ADLs help you to do that. If your loved one needs help with any of the activities on the ADLs list, then someone \u2013 whether it\u2019s their spouse, you, or someone you hire \u2013 needs to be around each day to help with them.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s worth noting that some of the ADLs require less constant care than others. Once your loved one reaches of the point of needing help to perform multiple ADLs, or once they have difficulty performing those that must occur with some frequency, like going to the bathroom on their own, you need to figure out how to ensure they receive full-time care.<\/p>\n
Considering whether to move a loved one to assisted living, a nursing home, or\u00a0into your own home\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/a>is a big decision that requires some serious thought. One factor that can help you make the decision that\u2019s best for both you and your loved one, is thinking about the specific ADLs your loved one needs help with.<\/p>\n One of the biggest reasons ADLs matter is in their ability to help families make the right decision for their loved one, but another crucial role they play is in providing a standard that Medicare, Medicaid, and many insurance companies use to figure out the level of coverage to provide.<\/p>\n Under these programs, the number of ADLs a senior needs help with is often the defining factor in whether or not they qualify for assistance in paying for an assisted living home, a nursing home, or in-home care. For many long-term care insurance policies, the inability to perform two ADLs or more is the point where the insurance provider decides it\u2019s time to start paying on the policy.<\/p>\n For families that need senior care, figuring out how to pay for it is a big part of the equation. Defining the ADLs your loved one needs help with is therefore important in paying for the type of care they need, as well as determining what that is.<\/p>\n Many seniors have a hard time discussing their limitations. This is often due to pride, fear of losing access to their home and independence, or embarrassment. Whatever the cause, it makes the the first step to understanding what ADLs your loved one needs help with \u2013 talking to them about their needs \u2013 challenging.<\/p>\n If you suspect your loved one may be hesitant to discuss their issues performing ADLs openly, start first by spending enough time with them to see for yourself what they\u2019re having a hard time with. Look for signs that they\u2019re having difficulties with basic tasks, like clothes that don\u2019t match or aren\u2019t buttoned right if they used to be particular about fashion, or weight loss that could be due to difficulty shopping and cooking.<\/p>\n Ask direct questions like what they ate today or when they last bathed (that last one may seem rude, but is worth checking on). And offer to help with things like cooking and running errands together, both to help and to have a chance to see whether they\u2019re having trouble with them.<\/p>\n You an also tell a lot by paying attention to a loved one\u2019s home environment. If they used to be pretty clean and are now letting dust build up and dishes pile in the sink, that\u2019s a sign that they\u2019re having trouble with basic around-the-house chores. And keep an eye out for bruises that might suggest they\u2019re experiencing falls or running into things more frequently.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve identified enough signs that they\u2019re having trouble with ADLs, then sit down with them and have the hard talk. If they\u2019re doubtful it\u2019s a problem or deny it, point to the evidence you\u2019ve seen. Make sure you don\u2019t frame the conversation as being about you being right \u2013 make it about concern for their well being and how important it is to you that they be safe and comfortable.\u00a0Living at home past the point where it\u2019s safe<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0could lead to a long stays in the hospital after a fall, difficulty making and maintaining social connections, and\u00a0senior depression<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Having that conversation will open the door to discussing what level of care they need and what you need to do to make sure it\u2019s met. There are things you and other family members and friends can help with, but you should also consider if things have reached the point where you need to turn to professional senior care options.<\/p>\n You have several options when it comes to choosing professional senior care, but not all of them provide the same level of care. Understanding what each type of senior care offers is important to figuring out which makes the most sense for your loved one.<\/p>\n In-home care<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is attractive to many seniors because it allows them to begin getting the help they need while staying in their own home. It\u2019s also frequently more affordable than other types of senior care. For in-home care to be an option, your loved one should be able to still perform most of the activities on the ADL list and some of the activities on the IADL list, particularly those that are fundamental to their well being and continued good health. Hiring an in-home caregiver can help them fill in the gaps, so to speak.<\/p>\n Assisted living<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0offers a combination of residential housing, meals, and personalized support services, but it does not provide skilled nursing care. Assisted living is designed for adults needing assistance with IADLs such as housecleaning and medication reminders, as well as some ADLs like getting dressed and getting around. Meals are usually provided, and often there are transportation services and social interaction programs.<\/p>\n CCRCs combine the services of a nursing home with an assisted living center. Continuum of care goes beyond the traditional retirement home approach because seniors can maintain their independence and\u00a0still receive the care they need. As the individual\u2019s needs become more complex, a\u00a0continuing care\u00a0facility can provide those services. In addition, certain CCRC\u00a0services might only be required for a limited time, such as if someone has surgery and requires additional help during the healing process.<\/p>\n These facilities offer higher levels of care that support individual skills and interests in an environment designed to minimize confusion and agitation. Similar to assisted living communities,\u00a0nursing home facilities<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0provide assistance with dressing, grooming, bathing and other IADLs. Meals, laundry and housekeeping are provided, along with skilled nursing.<\/p>\n Figuring out the right senior care for a loved one is a necessary and difficult process. Clarifying the level of need they have with ADLs won\u2019t make the decision easy, but it can help you make the right decision and may make the difference in your ability to pay for care.<\/p>\nADLs play a role in determining your coverage.<\/h3>\n
How to Talk To Your Loved One About ADLs<\/h2>\n
Look for Signs of Difficulty Performing ADLs First<\/h3>\n
Have the Conversation<\/h3>\n
Finding Care Based on Your Loved One\u2019s Needs<\/h2>\n
Home Care<\/h3>\n
Assisted Living<\/h3>\n
Continuing\u00a0Care Residential Communities (CCRCs)<\/h3>\n
Nursing Homes<\/h3>\n