Okuzeka
Physiotherapy vocabulary · Rehabilitation Planning and Records

Activities of daily living

Meaning in physiotherapy, with examples

nounCommon term

In physiotherapy, activities of daily living means: The basic everyday tasks people do to look after themselves, such as washing, dressing, eating, using the toilet and moving around the home.

In Turkish: günlük yaşam aktiviteleri, GYA

How it is used

Usually shortened to ADLs, said letter by letter. Physiotherapists and occupational therapists assess how independent a patient is with ADLs and set goals around them. Notes often say 'independent with ADLs' or 'needs help of one with ADLs'.

Example sentences

  1. Before the stroke, he was fully independent with all activities of daily living.

  2. Our goal is to get her managing her activities of daily living at home again.

Common collocations

  • independent with ADLs
  • help with activities of daily living
  • basic ADLs
  • functional activities
  • rehabilitationThe process of helping a person recover strength, movement and independence after an injury, illness or operation, or adapt to a lasting disability.
  • SMART goalsTreatment goals written to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound, so that progress can be checked clearly.
  • transferMoving a patient from one surface to another, for example from bed to chair, chair to toilet or wheelchair to car.
  • dischargeThe end of a patient's care, when they leave hospital or finish a course of physiotherapy because their goals are met or treatment is no longer needed.

More terms: Rehabilitation Planning and Records

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