7 Activities of Daily Living

Everyday self-care tasks

Activities of daily living (ADLs) are everyday self-care tasks. Common basic ADLs include bathing, dressing, grooming, using the toilet, eating, and moving around or transferring, such as getting from a bed to a chair. Supporting these tasks means helping a person complete routines while respecting their choices, privacy, dignity, and abilities.

Respect choices and abilities

A person's abilities can vary from one task to another and from day to day. Before helping, explain what you plan to do, ask permission, and find out what the person can and wants to do.

Use the principle of least assistance that is safe: allow time for the person to try, then add only the help needed. Assistance may range from preparing supplies or giving a reminder to providing supervision or hands-on help. Avoid rushing or taking over just because doing the task for the person seems faster.

Adapt routines to the person. Helpful adjustments include familiar routines, offering fewer choices at once, giving clear step-by-step cues, using easy-to-grip tools or adaptive clothing, and placing supplies within reach. For example, lay out clothes in the order they are put on and let the person dress themselves as much as possible.

Support daily routines

For hygiene and dressing, prepare needed items, support privacy, and let the person wash, brush, groom, or dress wherever they can. Use simple cues or adapted tools if helpful. Make the bathing area comfortable and reduce slipping hazards; do not leave someone who needs supervision alone in the bath or shower.

For mobility and transfers, clear the route, use prescribed mobility aids, explain each step, and allow the person to participate as able. For a bed-to-wheelchair transfer, position the chair securely and move footrests out of the way. If the person cannot safely stand and bear weight, get trained help or use the appropriate lift. Do not attempt a transfer beyond your training or the person's ability.

For nutrition and eating, make meals accessible and allow enough time for the person to eat independently. Consider their preferences and any established dietary or swallowing guidance. If eating or drinking becomes difficult, seek advice from the person's health care team rather than changing food textures or feeding methods on your own.

For elimination and toileting, offer timely, private assistance and make the bathroom route and supplies easy to access. Follow the person's established toileting and skin-care plan. Report new difficulty, pain, or a significant change in usual bowel or bladder habits to the appropriate health professional.

For sleep and daily activities, support a familiar bedtime and daytime routine, and make nighttime routes safer with clear paths and adequate lighting. A regular sleep schedule and relaxing bedtime routine are healthy sleep habits recommended for older adults. Encourage meaningful activities at a pace suited to the person, including tasks they can do for themselves.

Maintain safety and communicate changes

Support independence without ignoring risk. Remove trip hazards, keep commonly used items reachable, and use suitable bathroom safety features such as grab bars where appropriate. Fall-prevention measures also include good lighting, securing or removing loose rugs, and well-fitting nonslip footwear.

Follow the person's care plan and instructions for assistive equipment. If a task becomes unsafe, stop and get appropriate help.

Notice and report meaningful changes, such as a new need for help, reduced eating or drinking, a change in mobility, or difficulty completing a familiar routine. Sharing these observations with the care team can help determine whether the person's support or care plan needs review. The goal is not to do every task for the person, but to make everyday routines safe, respectful, and as independent as possible.

• person-centered approach