Now more than ever before, people in the United States are living longer. With each passing birthday, our minds and bodies undergo gradual changes. In special consideration of this, it is vital that we are embracing a healthy lifestyle in the most supportive environment to achieve holistic wellness.
Common physical changes that occur as we age can impact the way in which we are able to safely care for ourselves. We know that an integral component of maintaining a high quality of life is through our ability to complete these daily tasks independently and/or to receive necessary assistance when needed.
What Are Activities Of Daily Living?
Activities of daily living (ADLs) are the everyday actions needed to maintain independence. These key life care needs often broken down into five categories:
Hygiene
This includes the ability to bathe, brush teeth, groom, trim fingernails, and wash hands.
Dressing
This includes the ability to both dress and undress.
Eating
This includes the ability to feed oneself but does not require the ability to cook.
Continence
This includes the ability to control bladder and bowel function along with getting on and off the toilet and providing necessary personal hygiene after.
Mobility
This includes the ability to move from one place to another such as getting in and out of bed.
If someone can perform all or most of these activities without help, he or she can likely continue to live independently. However, if frequent assistance is needed, it’s likely time to have a difficult discussion of what to do next. This could include in-home care or moving into an assisted living community.
What Are Instrumental Activities Of Daily Living?
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are other necessary activities, but ones that are not required each day. They can also be used to assess someone’s independence. Examples include:
- Cooking
- Shopping
- Maintaining finances
- Managing medication
- Traveling to appointments
- Communicating (phone, email, etc.)
Why Should Someone Consider An Assisted Living Community?
When there is recognition that there may be an unmet ADL in our life and/or the life of a loved one, it is important that there is a timely, compassionate conversation to include addressing these areas and the potential impact on health, wellbeing, and quality of life. For many reasons, conversations such as this can be difficult and may require the support, guidance, and expertise of a healthcare professional. We are here to help.
Assisted living communities offer a variety of support necessary to meet the physical needs of older adults through the delivery of ADL care. Additionally, an assisted living environment possesses an engaging experience that meets the psychosocial aspects of overall wellness.
An assisted living community is often the best solution for everyone as there is an intentional balance of both independence and any necessary assistance.
Here at Silver Birch, we provide that much-needed, intentional and loving support along with:
Our nine Indiana locations feel like home because they are home. To learn more about how we Inspire Purposeful Lives for All, contact us today.