Assisted Living Facilities cater to a range of individuals. Nearly all residents need light to moderate assistance with their activities of daily living. In healthcare lingo these are referred to as ADLs. Residents may be elderly, physically challenged or have other special needs that prevent them from performing to what the everyday person would consider full capacity.
Independence in an Assisted Living Facility (ALF) hinges on the ability of a resident to perform or participate in their ADLs. Younger residents may still participate in work outside of the ALF, but at ‘home’ need help with the more involved ADLs such as dressing or cooking meals. Older individuals might find themselves able to live almost exactly as they did in their own residence with very minor intrusion for assistance from staff.
Just what are ADLs?
Activities of daily living are the actions everyone take everyday to care for themselves. As humans age or if there are physical/mental challenges that prevent certain types of mobility or understanding, these facets of life can suffer.
For example: Brushing teeth requires eye-hand co-ordination and fine motor skills. Age or accident can diminish both of the needed skills to perform proper oral care.
Another example: Going to the toilet requires fine motor skills, balance, and the ability of the brain to understand certain body signals in time to avoid an accident. Age can reduce all of these components. Brain injury and certain special needs can, as well.
A short list of ADLs:
- Oral care (brushing teeth or dentures)
- Toileting
- Dressing
- Undressing
- Cooking
- Cooking
- Eating
- Cleaning
- Moving around the home
Any activity that is performed daily is considered that individuals ADL.
How can someone know if ALF living is right for them?
Someone that can move around their home and still has independence to perform all or most of the above skills can qualify for an ALF. Other people that can do the tasks, but need some help may qualify. Skilled nursing facilities are best for those who cannot perform most of their ADLs at all. ALFs take the fear out of independent living while offering help to those that need assistance in their ADLs.
Skilled Nursing is not an ALF! Assisted Living Communities allow individuals to do as much of their own care as possible without creating a stifling environment. The typical resident of an ALF is an older person that values their self care skills. These residents are proud of their ability to still reside in a home-like environment, such as an apartment type ALF, without the constant attention of nursing staff. ALFs foster an independent lifestyle on the resident’s terms. Read more about the typical assisted living resident.
Tags: activities of daily living, ADLs, assisted living residents
