ADLs, IADLs and Long Term Care Policies

Posted

Special to the Recorder

 

There is a lot of information in the media recently regarding Long Term Care Insurance Policies. There is news about rising premiums and adjusted benefits. If you or a loved one have an LTC Policy, you should contact your agent or the carrier and have them explain in detail any or all changes.

 One thing is certain, every policy contains language centered around Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. Basically, these are things that we do in our everyday lives that help contribute to our overall level of independence.

Activities of Daily Living

Also known as ADLs, they are essentials necessary to the dignity and physical and emotional well-being of our elderly parents is to ensure their daily living requirements are met effectively.  The basic ADL activities are typically listed as:

 

·         Toilet hygiene

This includes getting to the toilet, self-cleaning and getting up from the toilet. If they have impaired mobility and health issues that make it difficult or impossible for them to take care of these ADLs independently then you need to find them the appropriate help.  Whether it’s providing care (you or someone else who is qualified) or investing in the proper equipment and accessories to help them continue doing daily tasks independently, be aware that there are many choices and options available.

·         Ambulation, movement without assistance
This includes moving while performing activities, getting in and out of bed and getting in and out of a chair.

·         Dressing

·         Bathing or Showering

·         Personal Hygiene
Activities include brushing or styling hair, shaving and other grooming activities.

·         Ability to feed oneself

 

If they have impaired mobility and health issues that make it difficult or impossible for them to take care of these ADLs independently then you need to find them the appropriate help.  Whether it’s providing care (you or someone else who is qualified) or investing in the proper equipment and accessories to help them continue doing daily tasks independently, be aware that there are many choices and options available.

 

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

 

Also known as IADLs, these other types of daily living activities are not necessarily fundamental, but related to independent functioning. IADLs most often refer to the following types of activities with long-term care:

·         Cooking and preparing meals

·         Cleaning and maintaining the home

·         Shopping and buying necessities

·         Running errands

·         Managing money and paying bills

·         Speaking or communicating on the phone or through other devices

·         Taking prescribed medications

 

Again, it’s important to the overall wellbeing of elderly parents that their IADLs are taken care of effectively and consistently. If there are obstacles or difficulties with doing these tasks alone, there is help. Whether it’s you, other siblings, relatives or friends that help out, or even professional caregivers, arranging help is possible. Other sources of help include technological devices that can provide assistance or even various community services geared at helping seniors.

 

It's very important to continually monitor your loved one’s ability to perform both ADLs and IADLs.

Also, if they do have a Long Term Care Policy, these items will dictate if they qualify for benefits.

 

 

 

Seth Movsovitz is the owner of Ponte Vedra Home Care, a private duty home care agency. He has over 16 years of experience in the home care industry and is a PAC (Positive Approach to Care/Teepa Snow)-certified dementia trainer. Visit https://pvhomecare.com/ for more information.