Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
 

The process of normal aging and in combination of illness can impede one’s ability to perform the tasks of normal daily living necessary to live independently.  Thus, individual’s functional levels must be assessed to plan for specific services or providing rehabilitation of injuries.  These assessments help establish baseline for the person’s functionality, and changes may the precursors for the need for additional resources or medical treatment.

When measuring a person’s levels of functioning, instrumental activities of daily living (or IADLs) are used to help find solutions.  Patients are scored on if they can perform these IADLs independently, or if they require some help, also if they are completely dependent on assistance with IADLs.  IADLs typically involve interaction with a person’s environment; it may be in the home or in their community. The following tasks are the main examples that are considered IADLs:
• Shopping—Can the person select and buy food and clothing by themselves or are they unable to shop?

• Traveling locally and afar—Is the person able to drive safely or travel independently by themselves on buses or taxis; are they able to travel with a companion; or are they simply unable to travel?

• Managing their money—Is the person able to manage their finances, such as, paying bills or balancing their checkbook?  Can the person manage their daily purchases but might need help paying bills or are they simply unable to handle money at all?

• Housework and chores—Can the person do heavy housework that must be done, such as, cleaning the floors, taking out the trash or maybe they can perform light housework but may need help with heavy chores; or are they unable to perform any household duties?

• Preparing food—Can the person plan and cook full meals or are they able to just prepare light foods by themselves; or are they unable to prepare any food by themselves?

• Using the phone—Can the person independently dial and receive calls with no help? Can the person answer the phone, dial 911 in emergencies, or do they require a special telephone to assist with finding the number and dialing? Is the person unable to use the telephone at all?

• Taking medicine—Can the person take medications safely at the correct time of day or they unable to take medications without supervision at all?

The main benefit triggers of Medicare, Medicaid and long term care insurance is needs help with two or more Activities of Daily Living or (ADLs) which can be found here.