II. Key Activities of Independent Living

II. Key Activities of Independent Living The ability to live independently requires performance of a range of activities. These key activities are called the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and include eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, walking, and managing continence. 6 Instrumental ADLs (IADLs) are another category of activities necessary for functioning in community settings and include cooking, driving, using the telephone or computer, shopping, keeping track of finances, managing medication, doing laundry, and housekeeping. The integration of home technologies such as sensors, apps, and even robots represents an opportunity to support independent living among the older population. In addition, these home technologies can impact home care, not only by making it more efficient in terms of costs and timing of health-related treatment, but also by offering solutions that encourage independent living and enhanced quality of life for aging adults. For solutions tobe effective, ongoing assessment ofanindividual’s level of function and need for assistance is required. Early on, small home modifications may suffice; however, over time, more interventions may be needed, including user-friendly assistive technologies. Changes in health and function can be a factor when an older adult and his or her family decide that institutionalized care is required, and it may be possible to defer that decision through the use of appropriate and effective assistive technologies. An evolving suite of technologies will be required to maximize independence throughout the continuum of care. Many basic devices have been developed to better support the key activities of independent living, but many assistive technologies are in their infancy and/or not widely available. What is available may require further evaluation before being implemented more widely or may benefit from research into its effectiveness and value. Understanding how older adults use technology and the best methods for teaching them how to utilize the technology to meet their needs is key to supporting adoption and avoiding user frustration. Cost and convenience also play a role in adoption of technology for older adults, since many older adults live on fixed incomes. New assistive technology research should fill a need that is not already being met for older adults; otherwise, the technology will not be considered useful and may not be adopted. When evaluating the needs of assistive technology for ADLs and IADLs, three focus areaswere identified that were deemed key to independent living as well as potentially benefitting from technology:  Hygiene: bathing, oral care, and skin care, including wound prevention and care  Nutrition: meal preparation, shopping, and eating  Medication: management and adherence While the capability to walk and transfer is considered to be an activity of daily living, the importance of this ability to all other activities has prompted the Task Force to consider the topic inan independent section of the report (Section V, Personal Mobility).

6 https://aspe.hhs.gov/basic-report/measuring-activities-daily-living-comparisons-across-national-surveys