IADL
Pronunciation: eye-AD-el
Also written as: IADL — Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
Standard abbreviation for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, used in geriatric rehabilitation assessments to denote complex functional tasks required for community independence.
Full Definition
IADL is the widely accepted abbreviation for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, a functional domain assessed in geriatric rehabilitation to evaluate patients' capacity for tasks such as cooking, shopping, and financial management. The abbreviation appears frequently in assessment forms, discharge summaries, and care plans, and editors must ensure it is defined on first use. The plural form IADLs is also common in clinical documentation. Confusing IADL with ADL in text constitutes a clinical editorial error with real consequences for care planning.
Usage
Usage note: Expand to full form on first occurrence in any document. Do not use interchangeably with ADL.
In Context
- "The assessment confirmed intact ADL performance but significantly impaired IADL function." — Geriatric assessment report
- "IADL screening was completed using the Lawton Scale prior to discharge planning." — Rehabilitation team meeting minutes