---
title: Activities of Daily Living Terminology
description: Use this glossary to explain common terms patients, families, assessors, and healthcare professionals may hear when discussing self-care, household tasks, independence, and assistance needs.
---
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# Activities of Daily Living Terminology
## Activities of daily living describe personal tasks needed for everyday life. Instrumental activities of daily living involve additional tasks needed to manage a household and participate in the community.
### Basic activities of daily living
- Activities of daily living (ADLs): Basic self-care activities used when assessing daily support needs.
- Bathing: Washing the body, including getting into or out of the bathing area when included in the assessment.
- Dressing: Putting on, removing, and managing clothing.
- Toileting: Using the toilet and performing related personal hygiene tasks.
- Eating: Bringing food to the mouth and consuming it; assessment definitions may distinguish this from meal preparation.
- Transferring: Moving between surfaces or positions, such as between a bed and chair.
- Continence: Control of bladder or bowel function.
- Personal hygiene: Activities such as washing the face, brushing teeth, and grooming.
### Instrumental activities of daily living
- Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs): Tasks supporting independent living beyond basic personal care.
- Meal preparation: Planning and making food for eating.
- Medication management: Organizing and using medicines according to the prescribed plan.
- Money management: Handling bills, banking, or other financial tasks.
- Housekeeping: Cleaning and maintaining the living environment.
- Transportation management: Arranging or using transport for appointments and daily needs.
- Communication management: Using a telephone or other communication methods to meet everyday needs.
### Assistance levels and related terms
- Independent: Able to perform an activity without another person’s assistance under the applicable assessment criteria.
- Setup assistance: Help preparing the items or environment needed for an activity.
- Cueing: Verbal, visual, or other prompts to help someone begin or complete a task.
- Supervision: Oversight while a person performs an activity.
- Hands-on assistance: Physical help provided by another person.
- Dependent: Requiring another person to perform all or much of an activity, according to the assessment tool.
- Incontinence: Involuntary loss of urine or stool.
- Fall risk: The likelihood of falling, based on an individual’s circumstances and assessment.
Activity categories and assistance levels may be defined differently by assessment tools, programs, and facilities. The assessor can explain which task and level of support are being evaluated. A reminder, supervision, and physical assistance should not be treated as the same need.
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