Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)

There are so many terms and acronyms out there in the aging and healthcare industry, and new ones pop up every generation, such as Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL).

So, what are Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)?

Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are things you do every day for yourself and your home; they are one way to determine one’s independence. While activities of daily living (ADLs) are basic self-care tasks like bathing, IADLs require more complex planning and thinking.

IADLs consist of:

  • Telephone and computer use– being able to make and receive calls, especially in case of an emergency. The ability to use a computer and other technology.
  • Medication management– can take the correct dosage at the assigned time, as well as knowing a prescription needs to be re-filled or discontinued (disposed of).
  • Meal preparation– has the ability to put a meal together or heat up a meal safely.
  • Housekeeping/cleaning– maintaining a clean and clutter free home.
  • Managing personal finances– paying bills in a timely manner, keeping an eye on funds (bank statements), and avoiding frauds and scams.
  • Shopping– keeping up with grocery needs, as well as clothing, hygiene and other necessities.
  • Transportation– driving safely, or being able to safely use public transportation.
  • Caring for pets– feeding, walking, vet visits.
IADLs

What if someone need help with one or two IADLs?

It is likely that an older adult may not be able to do all of these tasks as they age (meal preparation, driving, and medication management are most common activities needing assistance.) As with ADLs, there are people, businesses, and technology that can help.

Some examples are:

  • Customized packaged medication
  • Ride share and other driving services
  • Ready made meals delivered
  • Laundry services
  • Assistive technology/Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Finance and billing services
  • Personal shoppers
  • Extended family, friends, and neighbors

You may have concerns if you feel someone cannot handle a few IADLs, note that this is not a game changer for aging in place at home. However, if they cannot do any of these, you may want to talk moving to a community or hiring in home care.

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