What do the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) include?

The Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are fundamental tasks essential for an individual's basic functioning and health. They primarily include personal care tasks that individuals usually perform on a daily basis, such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and transferring (like moving from a bed to a chair). These activities are vital for maintaining one’s independence and quality of life.

Recognizing ADLs is crucial in health care and insurance contexts, particularly when assessing an individual's level of care needs or the extent of assistance required. Coverage for long-term care or home health services often hinges on an individual’s ability (or inability) to perform these basic activities independently. Understanding this framework helps caregivers and healthcare professionals develop appropriate support plans for those who need assistance.

The other choices involve important aspects of life and functioning but do not fall under the definition of ADLs. Social interaction and community involvement, professional tasks, and financial management are activities related to higher-level functioning and do not capture the essential personal care tasks encompassed within ADLs.