Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are the criteria used to determine a senior’s ability to live independently. In other words, these are the tasks associated with living independently.

Living at home, or living in an independent living facility requires a senior to perform all or most of their IADLs. Therefore, if a senior wants to stay home, they’ll need others to help them with the IADL’s they cant do on their own.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

The tasks making up IADLs are listed below.

IADLs are the criteria used to determine our ability to live independently.

To help better understand these areas, we’ll examine them in detail.

Use of Communication Tools / Technology

What best describes the condition of the Ager? In other words, pick the statement best describing the senior.

1. Able to operate a computer and use a phone (look up and dial numbers)
2. Cannot use a computer, but can dial necessary phone numbers (family, 411, etc.)
3. Answers phone but does not dial
4. Does not use the phone at all

Shopping

What best describes the condition of the Ager? In other words, pick the statement best describing the senior.

1. Independently takes care of all shopping needs.
2. Shops independently for small purchases.
3. Dependent on others for any shopping trip – needs to be accompanied.
4. Unable to shop – requires others to shop.

Food Preparation

What best describes the condition of the Ager? In other words, pick the statement best describing the senior.

1. Independently plans, prepares, and serves adequate meals.
2. Given ingredients and supplies, is able to prepare adequate meals
3. Able to reheat and serve prepared meals (i.e., frozen or premade) but is unable to maintain an adequate diet.
4. Dependent on others to prepare and serve meals.

Housekeeping

What best describes the condition of the Ager?

1. Independently maintains the home, or with occasional assistance (i.e., help with heavy-work domestic help).
2. Only able to perform light daily tasks (e.g., dishwashing, bedmaking, etc.), but can maintain an acceptable level of cleanliness.
3. Only able to perform light daily tasks but cannot maintain an acceptable level of cleanliness.
4. Needs help with all home housekeeping and maintenance tasks.
5. Does not participate in any housekeeping tasks.

Laundry

What best describes the condition of the Ager? In other words, pick the statement best describing the senior.

1. Does personal laundry completely.
2. Launders or rinses small items (e.g., socks shirts, etc.).
3. All laundry must be done by others.

Mode of Transportation

What best describes the condition of the Ager? In other words, pick the statement best describing the senior.

1. Independently uses transportation services by driving or using public transportation.
2. Arranges own transportation via senior services or friends.
3. With assistance, is able to travel on public transportation or use senior transportation services.
4. Travel requires assistance.
5. Does not travel at all.

Responsibility for Own Medications

What best describes the condition of the Ager? In other words, pick the statement best describing the senior.

1. Independently manages (organized and takes) medication. Takes mediation in the correct dosages at the correct time.
2. Has a system to verify compliance (per 1 above).
3. If someone else manages (places pills in the dispenser, etc.) able to take medication from the proper dispenser compartment at the proper times.
4. Is not capable of managing or taking medication.

Ability to Handle Finances

What best describes the condition of the Ager? In other words, pick the statement best describing the senior.

1. Independently manages all financial matters (e.g., keeps budgets, writes checks, balanced checkbook, pays rent and bills, goes to the bank, etc.); collects and keeps track of income.
2. Is able to manage most day-to-day financial activities like purchases and depositing (or ensuring that income checks are automatically deposited). But senior needs help with banking, major purchases, and end-of-month reconciliations.
3. Incapable of handling money.

Home Maintenance

What best describes the condition of the Ager? In other words, pick the statement best describing the senior.

1. Able to perform all yard work, or does not have a yard.
2. Able to perform most yard work, including mowing, except for tasks involving heavy lifting. Senior also requires help for seasonal yard maintenance.
3. Can perform only light yard work and requires regular monthly or more yard maintenance help.
4. Is not capable of doing yard work.
5. Can manage and direct a gardener and handyman to do necessary home and yard work.
6. Cannot do or manage any home maintenance.

Evaluating Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

The fewer instrumental activities of daily living a senior can perform, the more help they need. You can use our IADL Work Sheet in our Premium Content to assess your abilities or a loved ones. See an example here. Or you can use the information above to create your own. Here’s a good video of professionals evaluating a woman’s IADLs.