ADLs and IADLs are key to your loved one’s day-to-day life. They’re also important to your loved one’s overall health in a retirement community in Manalapan, FL. So what are they?
What Are ADLs
At a retirement community, ADLs are the activities of daily living. These include bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting. They are important for maintaining independence in a senior living environment.
ADLs can be carried out by the resident or a caregiver (a team member). Most residents at senior living centers need some help with their ADLs due to age or disability. In many cases, however, if the resident can do them independently, they will be encouraged to do so as much as possible to feel more comfortable in their surroundings and not feel like they have lost control over their lives.
What Are IADLs
IADLs, or instrumental activities of daily living, are tasks like cooking, shopping, and laundry. You may be able to cook for yourself if you need to, but it takes a lot of time and effort, so it makes sense to hire someone to prepare meals in the community.
Cooking is also a great way to interact with other community residents—and share recipes!
Transportation is another vital IADL: how would you get around town without using public transportation? If the senior-friendly independent living community doesn’t offer transportation services (or if you choose not to use them), consider purchasing a car or getting an accessible taxi service to get around easily when needed.
Home maintenance can often fall through the cracks when cared for by family members who still live nearby—especially since they don’t want their loved ones struggling with these tasks on top of everything else they’re doing! Consider hiring a professional housekeeper at one point per week; this will allow them more time off work while ensuring that chores get done each day properly.
An example of another type would be if Mom needs help with laundry but can still go grocery shopping on her own because she knows how to get around town well enough by herself; this is another example of an IADL task because it demonstrates independence even though Mom needs assistance with other things like laundry.
Why ADLs and IADLs Are Important In Retirement Communities
ADLs and IADLs are an important part of life for residents who live in senior living apartments or assisted living centers. Because ADLs and IADLs are the activities that people need to do daily, they’re important because they help people live independently.
For example, you’ll need assistance with those tasks if you have trouble walking or dressing. Without these activities being done for you daily by caregivers in a senior-friendly independent living community, you may not be able to maintain your independence.
Conclusion
In summary, ADLs and IADLs are two terms you should become familiar with if you work with older adults. They are important parts of life that can be difficult for some aging adults to manage on their own. By knowing these terms and how they apply to retirement communities, you’ll be able to help those who need assistance in their daily lives stay independent while still getting the care they deserve.