Case managers and health care agencies often identify care needs in terms of six Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), routine activities that people generally do without assistance, as well as Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IDALs), more complex learned skills.
Transferring (getting out of bed; getting out of chairs)
Toileting (grooming and personal hygiene)
Continence (mental and physical ability to use a restroom)
Instrumental Activities of daily living (IDALs)
Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are more complex, learned skills needed to live independently. These skills usually include the following:
Basic tasks that people do independently every day—including eating, toileting, transferring (i.e., from bed to chair), bathing, dressing, and maintaining continence.