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While certain tasks may seem straightforward when you’re younger, they can become significant challenges for seniors. Harvard Health reports that two-thirds of Americans aged 65 and above require assistance with daily activities. The problem for caretakers is that it can be difficult to tell when their loved ones need more help.
Assessing your loved ones’ level of independence is crucial. Our guide on activities of daily living (ADL) is designed to educate caretakers on the necessary functions seniors must perform each day. Use this guide to learn how much assistance your loved ones need to live their best lives.
As a caregiver, it’s important to know how much support your loved one needs throughout the day. Tracking ADLs allows you to evaluate what they need help with and the ideal level of care necessary to help them live the best life possible.
Of course, each senior’s needs can tell a different story. Some seniors may only need some slight modifications to complete activities, while others require extensive assistance for one or more essential needs. Using an ADL checklist allows caretakers to complete a thorough assessment of these activities and mark how much assistance a loved one needs for each task.
Assessing ADLs is more than just a one-time exercise. Caretakers can regularly go through checklists to evaluate ongoing changes. It can be difficult to notice small shifts in ability over time. Keeping regular logs of each ADL will help you stay on top of your loved ones’ current needs and make any necessary changes to support their ongoing needs.
ADLs are defined as essential and routine tasks that people can perform without any assistance. The Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living breaks down these tasks into two different categories – basic ADLs and instrumental ADLs.
Basic ADLs break down the various skills needed for someone to manage their own physical needs. The Katz Index lists the following skills as Basic ADLs:
Instrumental ADLs are more complex skills that require additional planning, organization, and problem solving. While not as basic as other skills, instrumental ADLs are still key functions that seniors need to complete in order to enjoy life independently. These skills include:
Assessing your loved one for ADLs can be difficult, especially if you’ve never been a caretaker for someone in the past. Fortunately, a good ADL checklist can help you evaluate your loved ones over time to see how their needs have changed and make informed decisions about their future. Here are some other tips to make assessing ADLs an easier process:
Now that you have more of an understanding of how tracking ADLs works, it’s time to start assessing your loved ones’ current needs. Download our ADL checklist to keep track of how much help your loved one needs for various activities.
Tracking ADLs is a big step in assessing your loved ones’ needs, but it’s only part of the caretaking process. It’s important to take the information you’ve gathered to figure out what should be done to help your loved ones live their best lives possible.
Many seniors choose to spend their golden years at home, but it’s important to make sure that living there is a viable solution. Depending on your loved one’s needs with ADLs, you may be able to help them age in place. Try:
At some point, living at home can be too big of a burden. What used to be simple tasks like navigating stairs and doing laundry can become major hurdles for better living. When daily tasks feel like big burdens, it may be time to consider moving your loved one into a senior living community.
There are different types of senior living options available. If your loved one requires ongoing assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) or other medical care services, assisted living will likely be the best fit for their needs. Of course, making this transition can be complicated. Here are some resources to help you determine the right community for your loved one and how to navigate the transition process:
National Church Residences is here to help. We’ve offered quality senior housing in comfortable retirement communities since 1961 and own or operate more than 340 senior housing communities in 25 states. We can help you find a community where your loved one can live a vibrant, healthy, and independent life.
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