Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
Activities of Daily Living
Also written as: ADLs — Activities of Daily Living
Basic self-care tasks evaluated and treated by occupational therapists to assess functional independence.
Full Definition
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) encompass fundamental self-care tasks including bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, and mobility. Occupational therapists assess clients' ability to perform these tasks independently and develop interventions to improve functional capacity. ADL assessment is central to determining discharge planning, care needs, and therapeutic goals in rehabilitation settings.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize when writing out the full term; ADLs is acceptable as abbreviation in clinical contexts.
In Context
- "The occupational therapist conducted a comprehensive Activities of Daily Living assessment before discharge planning." — Clinical assessment report
- "Improvement in Activities of Daily Living was the primary outcome measure for this rehabilitation program." — Research study
Also known as
ADLs
self-care activities
basic daily tasks
Contrasted with
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
Don't confuse with
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living