Activities in Daily Life (ADL)

Abstract

Our everyday activities are ideal for patients post stroke to practice their motor and cognitive skills as these are activities that are repeated often throughout the day. ADL actions are not universal. The way in which someone performs his daily activities is determined by, amongst other things, habits and preferences, culture and environmental factors. The rehabilitation must have a logical structure, with the easy tasks being taught first before training for more difficult tasks. Repetition is key. In (re)learning of ADL activities, different phases can be distinguished: (1) the learning phase, (2) the automation phase, (3) the generalisation phase. Especially in the first period after stroke, many patients will need help from the nurse when washing, showering, shaving and dressing themselves. Dependence in this area makes many patients feel uncomfortable and the ability to for example wash themselves independently, is therefore an important goal for many stroke patients. Nurses should be matching the help and guidance to the level of functioning of the patient, since failure, frustration or insufficient stimulus can demotivate the patient.