What it means
A person's ability to do the things needed for daily life: basic self-care such as bathing, dressing, eating and toileting (activities of daily livingak-TIV-ih-teez uv DAY-lee LIV-ingThe basic self-care tasks of everyday life, such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting and moving about.Full entry ), and harder tasks such as shopping, cooking and managing money and medicines (instrumental activities of daily livingin-struh-MEN-tul ak-TIV-ih-teez uv DAY-lee LIV-ingThe more complex tasks a person needs to live on their own, such as managing money, medicines, shopping and cooking.Full entry ). It is measured with tools such as the Katz index and Lawton scale, especially in older adults and after illness or injury.
For the nurse
Assess what the client can do alone, with help or not at all, and plan care and discharge around it. A sudden loss of function in an older adult can be the first sign of a new illness and should be reported.
At a glance
| Also written | functional abilities |
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Related terms
activities of daily living
The basic self-care tasks of everyday life, such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting and moving about.
instrumental activities of daily living
The more complex tasks a person needs to live on their own, such as managing money, medicines, shopping and cooking.