Daily activities, also referred to as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), are essential tasks that individuals need to perform daily to take care of themselves and maintain independence.
Tips & Links
- For seniors, daily activities or ADLs can include a range of activities that may become more challenging as they age. ADLs for seniors may include:
- Personal hygiene: Bathing or showering, grooming (including hair care, shaving, and oral hygiene), toileting, and maintaining skin care routines.
- Dressing: Selecting appropriate clothing, putting it on, and fastening buttons or zippers.
- Feeding: Preparing meals, handling utensils, and feeding oneself independently.
- Mobility: Moving around the home safely, including walking, transferring from sitting to standing, and using mobility assistive devices like canes or walkers if necessary.
- Continence management: Maintaining control over bowel and bladder functions or managing incontinence with appropriate aids.
- Medication management: Organizing and taking medications at the right time and dosage.
- Household tasks: Performing light housekeeping chores such as tidying up, doing laundry, washing dishes, and managing finances.
- Communication: Engaging in effective verbal and non-verbal communication, including using phones, computers, or other devices to stay connected with others.
- Be aware that for seniors aging in place – a home safety and/or home care assessment can be requested to determine the level of support required for your daily activities.
- Explore available home care services to help maintain your current level of ADLs. The amount of publicly-funded home care hours is based on whether a person can perform the ADLs listed above.
- Read the HelpGuide.org’s list of care services to consider if staying in your home.
- Be aware that in many instances, family members become the caregivers to support seniors with their ADLs. Review the Caregivers of BC website for information, guidance, and supports.
- Explore the extensive list of caregiver tips from Healthlink BC.
- Complete the activities Getting a Home Care Assessment, Changes in My Personal Needs, and My Home and Living Wishes in the My Place to Call Home section of your Mywell Health planner. Do these activities with a family member or care partners to explore your current abilities and needs to develop a personal care plan.
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