Glossary / Lexicon

Activities of daily living (ADLs) refers to self-help tasks such as bathing, dressing, and using the toilet.

In psychology, activities of daily living (ADLs) refer to the basic tasks and activities that are necessary for a person to care for themselves and maintain their independence. ADLs typically include activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, and toileting.

ADLs are often used as a measure of a person's functional ability or level of independence, and can be relevant in a variety of psychological contexts, such as:

• Geriatric psychology: ADLs can be used to assess the functional status of older adults and to identify any impairments or difficulties that may affect their ability to live independently.

• Rehabilitation psychology: ADLs can be used to assess a person's functional status after an injury or illness, and to develop treatment plans or goals that focus on improving their ability to perform ADLs.

• Disability psychology: ADLs can be used to assess the functional impact of a disability on a person's ability to perform daily activities and to identify any support or accommodations that may be needed to promote independence.

Here are some examples of how ADLs might be used in psychology:

• An occupational therapist assesses an older adult's ability to perform ADLs and develops a treatment plan to improve their functional status.

• A rehabilitation psychologist works with a person who has experienced a stroke to improve their ability to perform ADLs, such as dressing and bathing.

• A disability psychologist assesses the functional impact of a person's disability on their ability to perform ADLs and recommends accommodations or assistive technologies to promote independence.