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ACTVITIES OF DAILY LIVING AND
INSTRUMENTAL ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING

ADLs and IADLs Explained

Learn the similarities and difference of both along with Levels of Assistance, also known as "Levels of Care". See how they matter to Long Term Insurance reimbursement and VA Eligibility.

What are Activities of Daily Living?

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are a standardized set of basic self-care tasks that are essential for an individual’s ability to live independently.

 

Formally, ADLs typically include fundamental functions such as:

  1. Bathing

  2. Personal Hygiene and Grooming

  3. Dressing

  4. Eating and Feeding

  5. Toileting and Continence

  6. Ambulating and Transferring

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These activities are commonly used in healthcare and rehabilitation settings, insurance companies, and social services to assess a person’s functional status and determine the level of assistance or care they may require.

What are Levels of Function or Levels of Care?

These are the 4 Basic Levels of Functionality:

  • Independent

  • Hands on

    • Stand-By Assistance

    • Requires Assistance (can be partial or full)

  • Dependent

Levels of Functionality Expanded with Definitions

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  • Level 1: Independent: Can perform a care task by themselves without direction or prompting

  • Level 2: Stand-By Assistance: Requires a caregiver to stand-by when a client is performing ADLs or IADLs, may require hands-on intervention or prompting 

  • Level 3: Requires Assistance (can be partial or full)

    • ​Minimal Assistance (Companion Care): Focuses on social and emotional well-being. Services include companionship, light housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation, and medication reminders.

    • Moderate Assistance (Personal Care): Provides hands-on assistance with ADLs, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting.

  • Level 4: Dependent: Requires ongoing, daily support with all ADLs and IADLs, often required for individuals with advanced Alzheimer’s or dementia or bedridden.

What Long Term Care Insurance and the VA look at When Evaluating ADLs?

Basically, most LTC insurance looks for a minimum of the client requiring assistance with 2 out of the 5. 

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What qualifies as assistance?

  • Stand By Assistance

  • Partial or Full Assistance (Requires Assistance), and

  • Dependent

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In my opinion, for most seniors requiring home care, this is a low bar.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

"Called the place to help take care of my wife after a brain tumor diagnosis and subsequent strokes. I was going through a nightmare but, this place bent over backwards to help me. Not only is this the best home care place it’s the best place I have ever had dealings with. The people there where so generous and caring. Hard for me to be thankful for anything right now because what my family is going through but, these are good people."

Chris Long

What are Instrumental ADLs?

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are more complex daily tasks that allow a person to live independently in a community setting. Unlike basic self-care activities, IADLs require higher-level thinking skills such as organization, planning, and decision-making. These tasks typically include managing finances, handling transportation (driving or using public transit), shopping for groceries or necessities, preparing meals, managing medications, using communication devices like phones or computers, and maintaining the home (cleaning, laundry, basic upkeep). Difficulty with IADLs can be an early sign that someone may need additional support, even if they are still able to perform basic Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) independently.

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LTC insurances still look for the need for assistance of at least two of these activities. This becomes more valuable if all of the client's ADLs are Independent.

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