What Are Activities of Daily Living?

When in assisted-care, loved ones often are there for a variety of reasons, ranging from poor mental health to simple immobility. There is often a range of things that loved ones cannot do on their own and they will need help. When this happens, it is pertinent to get the help that the loved one needs by hiring a caregiver. However, it can be difficult to know when to hire a caregiver and how they will be useful to a household. Knowing their strengths, limitations, and what daily activities they are authorized to assist with is very important when making the decision of if a caregiver is the right choice.

Caregiver Qualifications

Most caregivers are Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). They do not administer medicine and are not trained in medicine. They are simply medically trained living assistants. Their duties cover a wide range of needs called Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). CNAs are trained to help with ADLs at the most basic level. Further help with non-essential activities is just an added bonus!

The ADLs

Activities of Daily Living cover most activities that are essential to a healthy, everyday life. These are the things that most people can do on their own everyday without needing assistance. However, once mobility becomes limited, assistance may be necessary to complete some of these activities to live a healthy, happy life.

Eating:

As our bodies age, we need more and more vitamin-packed meals, which can be hard to make ourselves. A CNA is able to help in the kitchen, whether by administering meals, prepping the meals days in advance for easy reheating, or by cooking and serving meals every day. CNAs can work with individuals and their loved ones to create an eating plan that benefits everyone, especially the loved one.

Bathing:

Although this takes some time to get used to, being bathed by another individual is something that eventually most people will face. Lack of full range of motion or mobility can make it hard for anyone to properly clean themselves. Because of this, many must face the reality that they need help. CNAs are there to help with bathing, all while fostering a comfortable environment for the loved one.

Dressing/Hygiene:

Much like with bathing, remembering to wear clean clothes everyday or to put on deodorant, brush teeth, and brush hair are all things that could become of least importance when mobility is limited. It might be too hard to even get out of bed, let alone dress (especially if one will be in the home all day anyway). CNAs are there to encourage loved ones to dress properly, take care of themselves, and use proper hygiene every day, regardless of who is coming over or if they might be leaving the home. Proper hygiene can eliminate bacteria that might get them sick, so it is important for CNAs to help patients clean themselves everyday.

Toileting/Continence:

This subject, too, can be difficult for some who prefer to be more independent. However, it is a type of assistance that patients may need at some point down the road. CNAs are trained to assist in every way possible, while still assuring the loved one still feels independent. Because of this, the loved one will only receive help if it is necessary, and the CNA will handle the situation while upholding the loved one’s integrity at all times.

Transportation:

Whether walking them to the park, driving them to a doctor’s appointment, or helping them in and out of bed, CNAs are there to help loved ones with limited mobility. Their role is simply to assist in any way they can to ease the load of stress put on loved ones by their lack of mobility. CNAs can provide reliable transportation as well as arrangements to get them from point A to point B without any extra stress on the loved one.

CNAs and Activities of Daily Living

It is important to know the needs of the loved one before finding a CNA to help, just to make sure they are comfortable performing the tasks needed. Overall, most CNAs are more than willing to help anyone live their life comfortably all while upholding the integrity and happiness of the loved one. Although not medical specialist, CNAs are trained to keep loved ones as happy and healthy as they can be. Everyone, at some point, needs help with ADLs and CNAs are there to assure comfort, happiness, and health!