What does 'activities of daily living (ADLs)' refer to?

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) refer to the essential tasks that individuals perform on a daily basis to maintain personal care and well-being. These tasks include basic functions such as eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, and mobility. Understanding ADLs is crucial in fields such as healthcare and kinesiology, as they are indicators of a person's ability to live independently and overall quality of life.

The focus on basic personal tasks highlights the fundamental nature of ADLs, which are foundational for both self-sufficiency and functioning within the community. Addressing the limitations in ADLs is often a primary goal in rehabilitation and therapy, aiming to enhance a person's independence and improve their ability to perform these essential functions. Other options, such as complex physical tasks or professional responsibilities, do not encompass the daily, foundational nature of personal care tasks that ADLs represent.