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Functional limitations associated with the need for long-term care are frequently assessed in terms of an individual's need for assistance performing activities of daily living (ADLs). In addition, one's need for assistance performing instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), which is a broader range of activities, is also measured.
ADLs include routine tasks of life such as eating, bathing, dressing, getting into and out of bed or a chair, and using the toilet.
IADLs are additional activities necessary for independence, such as meal preparation, managing medications, managing money, driving and shopping.
Within the law, an individual's ability to perform ADLs is linked to quality of care in a nursing facility and to coverage in long-term care insurance policies. Within the long-term care community, the ability or inability to perform ADLs can be a very practical measure of ability/disability in many disorders. A decline in the ability to perform ADLs often indicates a decline in condition leading to further health problems.
Resources:
Activities of Daily Living (Wikipedia)
Checklist of Activities of Daily Living
Activities of Daily Living: Practical Pointers for Parkinson Disease
© 2009, Elder Law Practice of David L. McGuffey, LLC
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