Being able to perform the activities of daily living (ADLs) and the instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) is important. When seniors are no longer able to independently function at home, families should consider professional home care. Here’s how home care helps with ADLs and IADLs.
What are the ADLs?
Basic physical needs are met when a person is able to perform the ADLs. Examples of ADLs are walking from one place to another, bathing, dressing and toileting. Additional ADLs include eating and transferring (moving the body from one position to another—not just walking).
What are the IADLs?
The IADLs involve thinking and organizational skills. Examples of IADLs include managing financial matters, like paying bills, transportation and maintaining the home. Additional IADLs are being able to complete errands, communicating via phone or mail, and taking medications as prescribed.
How do families assess the ADLs and IADLs?
Families who notice their elderly loved ones are slowing down can begin to assess the level of care the seniors need. One way to accomplish this task is to assess the ADLs and IADLs. Seniors’ performance of these activities can be measured in a number of ways at home.
Siblings, neighbors, and friends can provide valuable feedback as to how a senior is functioning at home or if they have noticed a decline in her abilities. Choose two to three trusted individuals to discuss concerns about the aging adult’s ability to function.
Assessing on a spectrum is helpful; for example, ask the senior if she can perform a task “a little bit” or “sometimes” rather than requesting a yes or no answer. Be aware that older people may complete tasks more slowly than prior, but it doesn’t indicate an inability to perform.
How does home care help with ADLs?
As seniors’ physical and cognitive abilities decline with age, help with the ADLs can improve their quality of life. Personal hygiene is critical to overall health and well-being. When a senior is unable to keep up on hygiene tasks, home care professionals are available to help her bathe and groom.
Grooming assistance includes picking out clothes that are appropriate for the current weather conditions as well as helping the senior get dressed; dressing can be difficult for seniors with arthritis, for example. Caregivers also brush seniors’ hair and clip their nails.
Toileting assistance is another helpful service provided by home care professionals. Seniors who are incontinent or struggle to use the bathroom receive support. Caregivers discreetly assist the aging adult in getting to the toilet, using it, and cleaning up afterward.
Mobility is necessary to move from one place to another. Seniors who must rely on others for help with walking receive physical support from caregivers. Home care professionals hold seniors’ arms as they walk, push seniors who use wheelchairs and, in general, boost their confidence with mobility.
Some seniors have difficulty eating, but home care helps them overcome this challenge. Professional caregivers not only shop for groceries and prepare balanced meals, but they provide assistance with getting food from the plate to the elderly individual’s mouth and facilitate eating.
Transfer assistance is different than mobility support. Professional caregivers who provide transfer assistance help seniors get up from a seated position and stand. Transfer assistance is also necessary to shift a senior into a wheelchair or help her get out of bed in the morning.
How does home care help with IADLs?
A clean home provides the senior with a hygienic place to live. Home care services are invaluable when it comes to maintaining the home environment. Professional caregivers are tasked with the responsibility to perform light household chores, such as doing laundry and washing dishes.
Another important responsibility of home care professionals is providing transportation for seniors who are no longer able to drive. Caregivers safely transport seniors to doctors’ appointments, senior centers, and social events. This home care service prevents seniors from becoming isolated and homebound.
When seniors are unable to take medications on time due to cognitive decline, home care professionals ensure medication compliance. Caregivers provide timely medication reminders to elderly care recipients and make sure they take the right drugs in the prescribed dosages.
Home care services are well connected with numerous and reputable local elder care organizations. Families that utilize home care can be put into contact with financial and legal professionals who will guide seniors needing help with financial or legal matters.
The loss of the ability to independently perform the abovementioned skills indicates a need for extra support at home. When home care is introduced into seniors’ lives, they live more safely and independently—both of which enhance their overall quality of life.
Seniors who live alone or do not have family living nearby will benefit from home care. Families that are concerned about their elderly loved ones will enjoy peace of mind knowing that home care agencies, like Assisting Hands Home Care, are available to fully support seniors at home.
As a leader in non-medical home health care, Assisting Hands Home Care provides a wide range of support to seniors who are no longer able to perform the ADLs or IADLs. Our professional caregivers provide the necessary assistance, while allowing seniors to remain as independent as possible.
A core part of our services is companion care. Our caregivers build meaningful relationships with the seniors we serve. Care services include taking seniors on safe outings, starting conversations, playing board games, and joining them in hobbies or recreational activities.
Included in our senior care services is daily support with all the ADLs and IADLs. Your loved one will live comfortably and safely at home with our compassionate personal care, light housekeeping services, meal preparation, medication reminders, and transportation services.
When your elderly loved would benefit from companion care, choose Assisting Hands Home Care, like so many satisfied families in Collegeville, King of Prussia, Limerick, Norristown, West Norriton, have (See All Served Areas). Call us today at (610) 795-2896 to set up an in-home evaluation so that we can assess care needs and start quality home care.
