AT for Activities of Daily Living
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Annabel Gabriel
Introduction
Activities of daily living (ADLs) include basic self-care tasks. They are the tasks that individuals perform each day to maintain health and independence. These tasks are essential for individuals with disabilities to promote independence in their every-day activities, leading to increased quality of life over time. These activities are typically used to measure an individual’s level of independence [1][2].
Activities of Daily Living
ADLs come in two categories: Basic ADLs (BADLs) and Instrumental ADLs (IADLs). BADLs are more simplistic tasks whereas IADLs are more complex tasks that require more independence [1].
Basic ADLs include the following tasks:
Bathing: The ability to wash oneself.
Dressing: The ability to put on clothing independently.
Toileting: The ability to use the toilet and maintain personal hygiene.
Eating: The ability to feed oneself, including the use of utensils.
Transferring: The ability to move from one position to another including getting out of bed or a chair.
Continence: The ability to control bladder and bowel functions [1][2][3].
Instrumental ADLs typically include the following tasks:
Cooking: The ability to plan, prepare, and cook meals.
Cleaning: The ability to maintain a clean living environment.
Managing Medications: The ability to remember to take prescribed medications as instructed.
Managing Finances: The ability to handle bills, budgeting, and banking.
Shopping: The ability to purchase groceries or other necessities.
Transportation: The ability to drive or use public transportation effectively [4][5].
ADLs are essential for indicating the level of an individual’s functional independence. If an individual has difficulty performing such tasks, it can indicate the need for assistance or alternative methods of intervention. Many healthcare professionals use ADLs to either develop care plans or determine how much support is needed for an individual to live safely and independently [1].
Assistive Technology for ADLs
There are many assistive technologies (AT) that are designed to aid specific ADLs. These benefit individuals by enabling their increased independence, safety, and quality of life. Through AT, individuals are able to perform tasks without assistance, supporting independence, and they are able to keep a safe, supported environment that prevents injury. This facilitates participation in daily activities, enhancing overall quality of life and well-being [6][7].
Devices used for bathing and hygiene include:
Grab Bars
Non-slip Mats
Shower Chairs
Handheld Showerheads
Transfer Benches
Long-Handled Hygiene Aids [8].
Devices used for dressing include:
Dressing Sticks
Button Hooks
Zipper Pulls
Sock Aids
Shoe Horns
Adaptive Clothing (elastic waistbands, magnetic clothing, zippers, slip-on shoes, etc.) [9].
Devices used for toileting include:
Raised Toilet Seats
Safety Frames
Bidets
Hygiene Aids (cleansing wipes or toilet paper aids) [10].
Devices used for mobility and transferring include:
Wheelchairs
Mobility Scooters
Walkers
Canes and Crutches
Patient Lifts
Transfer Belts
Slide Sheets
Ramps and Stairlifts
Grab Bars
Adaptive Furniture [11][12]
Devices used for feeding and eating include:
Adaptive Utensils and Dinnerware
Weighted Utensils
Thick-Handled Utensils
Scooped-Edged Plates
Bumpers or Plate Guards
Spill-Proof Cups
Non-Slip Mats [13]
Devices used for instrumental ADLs include:
Reminder Apps
Medication Dispensers
Smart Home Devices (voice assistants)
GPS Tools [14]
Conclusion
Overall, AT is essential for supporting ADLs. AT allows for increased independence and dignity, enabling individuals who have difficulty performing ADLs to function more effectively. This facilitates participation in daily hygiene and social environments, leading to an increased quality of life. It is essential that individuals are able to act independently and AT enables individuals in a dignified way that promotes independence.
Resources:
[1] Cleveland Clinic, “Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs),” Cleveland Clinic, Aug. 15, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/activities-of-daily-living-adls
[2] L. Kernisan, “What are ADLs & IADLs?,” Better Health While Aging, 2015. https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/what-are-adls-and-iadls/
[3] R. Kunde, “What Are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)?,” WebMD, Oct. 04, 2022. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-are-activities-of-daily-living
[4] “What Are IADLs or the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living?,” AssistedLiving.org, Mar. 24, 2017. https://www.assistedliving.org/assisted-living-near-me/what-are-iadls/
[5] “A Caregiver’s Quick Guide.” Accessed: Apr. 02, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.theseniorsource.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/A-Caregivers-Quick-Guide-ADLs-and-IADLs.pdf
[6] UDS Foundation, “Guide to Adaptive Devices for People with Disabilities | UDS,” udservices.org, May 04, 2021. https://udservices.org/adaptive-devices-people-disabilities/
[7] “Listing: Assistive Technology and Aids for Daily Living,” Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. https://www.sralab.org/lifecenter/resources/listing-assistive-technology-and-aids-daily-living
[8] “9 Accessible Bathing Tools to Shower Like A Pro - Equip2Adapt,” My WordPress, Oct. 2023. https://equip2adapt.com/blog/bathing-tools/
[9] physiopedia, “Dressing Aids,” Physiopedia. https://www.physio-pedia.com/Dressing_Aids
[10] “Rehabmart.com,” Rehabmart.com, 2026. https://www.rehabmart.com/category/toileting_aids.htm (accessed Apr. 02, 2026).
[11] NDSP Plan Managers, NDSP Plan Managers, Jan. 29, 2024. https://ndsp.com.au/blog/ndis-news/what-mobility-and-transfer-equipment-is-covered-by-ndis/
[12] P. Mobility, “Top 10 Must-Have Assistive Technology for Independent Living in Australia,” Para Mobility, May 26, 2024. https://paramobility.com.au/top-10-must-have-assistive-technology-for-independent-living-in-australia/
[13] The OT Toolbox, “Adaptive Equipment For Eating,” The OT Toolbox, Sep. 30, 2021. https://www.theottoolbox.com/adaptive-equipment-for-eating/
[14] J. Peltonen, “What assistive devices help elderly people stay independent with ADLs? - Hovi Care,” Hovi Care, Sep. 14, 2025. https://hovicare.com/what-assistive-devices-help-elderly-people-stay-independent-with-adls/
