What are the ABCs of ADLs? The Best Memory Care Communities’ Guide to Activities of Daily Living

As a care partner assessing memory support needs, you may find yourself in a new and unfamiliar role. The term ADLs, or Activities of Daily Living, will be a helpful one. It’s used to cover basic personal tasks performed every day, including bathing, dressing, eating, toileting and moving safely.

Continual evaluation of a person’s ADLs can help you recognize changing memory support needs. The National Institute on Aging considers the ability to complete ADLs an important consideration when considering increased personal care and long-term care planning. With this in mind, it’s important to know what ADLs are and how to assess them.
Just remember the memory support ABCs, or, more specifically the A-B-C-E-D-Fs of ADLs.

A is for assessing current abilities

Effective memory support starts with understanding what a person can still do safely as part of an ADL, rather than focusing on limitations. This helps care partners see where a little support is enough and when more help may be needed.

For example, a person living with dementia may choose clothing but need help with buttons, complete oral hygiene once supplies are set out or eat independently after a meal is prepared.

For the best memory care communities, the goal is to encourage independence while watching for frustration or difficulty. This allows memory support activities to increase gradually, respects personal choice and avoids taking over before it’s necessary.

B is for bathing and personal hygiene

Bathing is one ADL that can become more challenging as memory changes. A person may not remember whether a bath or shower has already happened, may lose track of the steps in a familiar routine or may become uneasy around water, noise or hands-on assistance.

A familiar routine can make a big difference in memory support. Keeping bath time consistent, setting out supplies ahead of time and offering one simple cue at a time can help the process feel more comfortable and less overwhelming.

Privacy, comfort and dignity should always stay at the center of personal care. However, if a care partner notices a change in a person’s ability to bathe or manage another ADL, talk with a health care professional. As the best memory care communities stress, not every change is caused by the progression of dementia, so new concerns are worth checking out.

C is for choosing clothing and dressing

After getting dressed every day for decades, it’s easy to forget just how much effort goes into such a familiar routine. Choosing what to wear, remembering what goes on first and managing buttons, zippers or other fasteners can all become more difficult when memory support is required.

For a person receiving memory support at the best memory care communities, offering a choice between two favorite outfits, for example, can feel much less overwhelming than facing an entire closet. Laying clothes out in the order they’ll be worn can provide a gentle cue, while comfortable clothing with easy-to-manage fasteners may help avoid frustration.

Make room for the person to stay involved, make personal choices and hold on to the familiar feeling of getting ready for the day as independently as possible.

D is for dining and eating

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can affect meals in different ways. A person may forget to eat, have trouble recognizing certain foods, struggle with utensils or simply lose interest or focus before finishing.

A little extra memory support can go a long way. A calm, unrushed environment combined with routines can also provide reassuring cues.

As memory loss progresses, chewing or swallowing may sometimes become more difficult. If that happens, it’s important to bring in a health care professional so meals can stay as safe, comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

E is for easing toileting routines

When Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia affects daily routines, even something as basic as using the bathroom can become more complicated. Toileting involves several steps, including recognizing the need to go, finding the bathroom, managing clothing, using fixtures safely and completing personal hygiene.

At the best memory care communities, a few simple memory support changes can make this ADL easier and less stressful. Keeping the path to the bathroom clear, using an easy-to-recognize bathroom sign and following a regular toileting routine can all help. Clothing that is easy to remove may also make it easier for a person to stay as independent as possible.

However, medications, infections and other health concerns can affect bathroom habits too. New incontinence, discomfort or a sudden change should always be discussed with a health care provider.

F is for familiarizing function and mobility

Mobility can become a concern for almost everyone as we age. Familiar movements such as getting out of bed, standing up from a chair or moving safely from one room to another may suddenly require more thought and support.

Memory support for this ADL needs to consider both physical ability and cognitive changes. A person may still be strong enough to walk independently but become confused in familiar surroundings or have trouble recognizing a potential hazard. The right amount of support can help make movement feel safer and more comfortable while preserving as much independence as possible.

The National Institute on Aging notes that physical activity is important to help older adults maintain strength and function, and is needed to stay capable of everyday tasks. However, watch for changes in mobility, and when you spot changes, seek guidance from a physician, physical therapist or occupational therapist.

Don’t wait to build your memory support care team

Memory support should never be one-size-fits-all. ADL needs can change gradually, and what works well today may need to be adjusted down the road. Thoughtful memory support makes everyday activities safer and more manageable while allowing people living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia to remain actively involved in daily life.

Sometimes, you’ll need support to master the ABCs of ADLs. If you’re looking for the best memory care communities, our team of advisors is here to answer memory support questions and provide guidance wherever you are on the journey. Reach out to start the conversation today. We’re here to help.