Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
Activities of Daily Living
Also written as: ADL — Activities of Daily Living
Basic self-care tasks used to measure functional independence in orthopedic rehabilitation.
Full Definition
Activities of Daily Living (ADL) refers to fundamental self-care tasks that occupational therapists and physical therapists assess to determine a patient's functional capacity following orthopedic injury or surgery. These include bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and mobility. ADL assessments are crucial in discharge planning and insurance authorization for continued rehabilitation services. The term is frequently used in clinical documentation and treatment plans.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize when abbreviated; use lowercase when spelled out unless beginning a sentence.
In Context
- "The patient demonstrated independence in all ADLs except bathing, requiring adaptive equipment." — Physical therapy evaluation
- "ADL training will focus on dressing techniques following total hip replacement." — Treatment plan documentation
Also known as
basic ADLs
self-care activities
Contrasted with
instrumental ADLs
complex activities
Don't confuse with
IADLs
functional capacity evaluation