If you’ve been researching home care options for an elderly parent in Las Vegas, you’ve likely come across the term “activities of daily living” — or ADLs. Understanding what ADLs are, and how difficulty with them signals a need for personal care support, is one of the most important steps in planning for a loved one’s care.

What Are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)?

Activities of daily living are the fundamental self-care tasks that a person needs to perform daily to care for their physical body and live independently. Healthcare providers and care agencies use them as the primary benchmark for assessing a person’s care needs.

The six core ADLs are:

• Bathing and personal hygiene — The ability to wash and maintain cleanliness
• Dressing — The ability to select and put on appropriate clothing
• Eating — The ability to feed oneself once food is prepared
• Transferring — The ability to move from one position to another (bed to chair, standing up)
• Continence — The ability to control bladder and bowel function
• Toileting — The ability to use the bathroom independently

What Are IADLs (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living)?

IADLs are a broader set of daily tasks important for independent living that require more complex cognitive and physical abilities:

• Meal preparation and cooking
• Light housekeeping and laundry
• Grocery shopping and errand running
• Managing finances and paying bills
• Medication reminders

How Do ADL Limitations Affect Seniors in Las Vegas?

For seniors living in Las Vegas — particularly those living alone — ADL and IADL limitations can have serious consequences if left unaddressed: falls and injuries from attempting tasks without assistance, poor nutrition from inability to prepare meals, social isolation from reduced mobility, and declining personal hygiene.

When Should a Family Consider Home Care?

Consider reaching out for personal care assistance if your loved one:

• Has difficulty bathing safely without help
• Is wearing the same clothes for several days
• Has lost significant weight or seems to be eating poorly
• Has had falls or near-falls in the home
• Seems overwhelmed by daily tasks they used to manage easily

How A-Team Personal Care Supports ADLs in Las Vegas

A-Team Personal Care’s certified attendant care services help elderly and disabled individuals manage their ADLs and IADLs safely and with dignity. Our caregivers provide hands-on assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, and more — in the comfort of the client’s own home.

Call 702-822-1253 or visit our Attendant Services page to schedule a free in-home assessment.