15 Sep Defining Activities of Daily Living
How we Define Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Brushing your teeth or getting dressed in the morning are often done without much thought until these tasks become harder to do. For many seniors, activities of daily living (ADLs) are where the first signs of needing extra support begin to show. En Su Casa Caregivers is here to provide assistance with daily living activities so that your loved one can continue to live independently in the comfort of their own home.
What are activities of daily living (ADLs)?
ADLs are tasks that you do on a regular basis to take care of your body, mind, and overall well-being. These tasks include:
- Dressing – the ability to select appropriate clothing and putting them on safely.
- Bathing & Showering – the ability to perform personal hygiene and grooming tasks in the bath/shower and being able to safely get in and out of the bath/shower.
- Personal Hygiene & Grooming – the ability to brush hair, shave, brush and floss teeth.
- Eating & Feeding – the ability to physically feed oneself with meals prepared by you or someone else.
- Mobility – ambulation around the home, moving from one position to another, such as transferring from the bed into a chair.
- Toileting – the ability to reach the toilet, use it correctly, and perform personal hygiene after toilet usage.
- Continence – the physical and mental ability to control bladder and bowel functions.
Some people may need assistance doing ADLs for only a short time, like when they are recovering from surgery. Others may need assistance for a longer time if they have balance issues or a chronic condition that may affect their mobility to move independently within their home.
When your loved one begins to struggle with daily activities injuries from falls can occur. Our caregivers know how to provide you or your loved ones with ADL assistance and not only make the day easier, but also actively prevent injuries and emergencies.
What does ADL support entail?
ADL support from our caregivers encourages your loved one to do tasks that they can still do on their own; they keep routines familiar; and they help break tasks up into smaller steps, so they become less daunting and more manageable, allowing your loved one to still feel in control of their everyday activities. Our caregivers can assist with meal preparation and encourage hydration. They can assist with dressing and bathing, keeping your loved one comfortable and clean. They can also assist with light housekeeping and laundry preventing your loved one from feeling overwhelmed by everyday chores. Our caregivers also provide companionship support to help your loved one from feeling withdrawn and keep the feeling of loneliness at bay. By choosing En Su Casa Caregivers your loved one can continue to stay at home safely and protect their independence.
When is it time to ask for help?
You might want to consider extra support with ADLs when you become worried about your loved ones slipping in the shower or falling in the bathroom; when they begin to skip baths, start to look unkempt, and wear the same clothing for days; when you see bruises that can’t be explained; noticeable weight loss due to missed meals; or when they start experiencing side effects from missing medication reminders.
Our caregivers are ready to step in where help is needed, not only are they there to support your loved one but they can also provide you with support. Providing constant care for your loved one can make you feel burned out from trying to do it all yourself while also trying to maintain your own life responsibilities. Let us care for you while also caring for your loved one.
If you or your loved one need extra support with activities of daily living, call us today at 210-922-2960 to learn more about our services. Our team members are ready to assist you with any questions you may have regarding short-term or long-term support!
