What are activities of daily living (ADLs)?
Activities of daily living (ADLs) are fundamental self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, and eating that are used to measure a person's functional ability and determine care requirements.
The term activities of daily living refers to the basic self-care tasks that people need to perform independently to maintain health and dignity. In aged care assessment across London, Ontario, evaluators measure ability in five core ADLs: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring (moving in and out of chairs or beds), and eating. Performance on these tasks forms the foundation for determining whether someone needs support and what level of care is appropriate.
Assessors ask whether a person can complete each activity without help, with minimal assistance, with substantial assistance, or not at all. Someone who struggles with multiple ADLs may be eligible for home care support, assisted living, or residential care. Care coordinators use ADL scores to match individuals with suitable services and help families understand what type of support makes sense for their situation.
Understanding ADL requirements is essential when exploring aged care services in your area. Different providers offer different levels of ADL support, so knowing which activities your or your loved one finds most challenging helps identify the right fit. Care homes, home support agencies, and community programs across London all use ADL assessments as the standard tool for intake and care planning.