Editing Fundamentals of Nursing (section)

== Activities of daily living ==

'''Activities of daily living (ADLs)''' are the basic self care tasks: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding. '''Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)''' are the more complex tasks required for independent community living: managing money, managing medications, using the telephone, shopping, preparing meals, housekeeping, laundry, and arranging transportation.

The distinction matters for discharge planning. A patient who is independent in ADLs but cannot manage medications or transportation is not safe to go home alone without support. Standardized tools include the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living and the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale.

Levels of assistance commonly documented: independent, setup or supervision, standby assist, minimal assist (patient performs about 75 percent), moderate assist (about 50 percent), maximal assist (about 25 percent), and total or dependent care.

Nursing application: promote the highest level of independence the patient can safely achieve. Doing a task for a patient who can do it slowly is faster for the nurse and harmful for the patient. Allow extra time, break tasks into steps, place items within reach on the patient's stronger side, and use adaptive equipment such as long handled reachers, sock aids, built up utensils, and elastic shoelaces.