What are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)?

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) refer to the essential tasks that individuals need to perform as part of their daily routine for basic self-care and personal hygiene. These activities typically include bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring from one place to another, and maintaining continence. Understanding ADLs is crucial, especially in the context of assessing an individual's need for assistance or long-term care services, as they help determine the level of care that may be required.

The other options focus on different aspects of functioning. Exercises aimed at improving mental acuity can enhance cognitive skills but do not pertain to the daily self-care activities individuals perform. Complex skills related to job performance are important for vocational success, yet they are not classified as ADLs. Lastly, advanced medical procedures carried out by professionals are outside the scope of self-care activities and highlight the role of healthcare providers rather than the everyday tasks people engage in.