Synonyms
Definition
Activities of daily living (ADLs) are self-care activities that are important for health maintenance and independent living. ADLs comprise a broad spectrum of activities, traditionally classified as basic and instrumental ADLs (BADLs and IADLs, respectively). BADLs, also called physical or self-maintenance ADLs, are life-sustaining self-care activities such as feeding, grooming, bathing, dressing, toileting, and ambulation. IADLs are more complex activities that are necessary for independent living, such as using the telephone, preparing meals, shopping, managing finances, taking medications, arranging appointments, and driving. These activities are important for participating in one’s usual work, social, or leisure roles.
Historical Background
The evolution of the concept of ADLs is reflected in the development of instruments to measure these abilities. Measures of BADLs were first developed in the 1940s and 1950s, primarily...
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References and Readings
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Troyer, A.K. (2017). Activities of Daily Living (ADL). In: Kreutzer, J., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56782-2_1077-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56782-2_1077-2
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