What Are Instrumental Activities of Daily Living?

Definition of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

Instrumental activities of daily living are the skills and abilities needed to perform certain day-to-day tasks associated with an independent lifestyle. These activities are not considered to be essential for basic functioning, they are important indicators of a person’s ability to live independently without additional caregiving support. How well someone manages instrumental activities of daily living is often taken into account to determine if the individual can continue safely living at home without extra help. There are typically 8 areas of focus for instrumental activities of daily living, including:

• Ability to use the telephone
• Laundry and dressing
• Shopping and running errands
• Transportation and driving
• Meal planning and preparation
• Managing medications safely
• Housekeeping and home maintenance
• Ability to manage finances

IADLs vs Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are different from Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).

ADLs refer to basic, physical self-care tasks such as:

• Bathing
• Dressing
• Eating
• Toileting
• Mobility

IADLs involve more complex daily activities needed for independent living, such as:

• Managing finances
• Preparing meals
• Driving or arranging transportation
• Managing medications
• Shopping and errands

Difficulties with IADLs may sometimes appear before challenges with basic ADLs, especially in individuals experiencing cognitive decline or early dementia symptoms.

How Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Work

There are several different scales that measure how well someone can perform instrumental activities of daily living.

Common assessment scales may include:

• Older Americans Resources and Services (OARS) 
• ADL/IADL scale
• Katz ADL scale
• Bristol Activities of Daily Living Scale
• Lawton IADL scale

These questionnaires are typically used by care provider services, health care professionals, and family members. They help evaluate an older adult’s or disabled person’s level of independence, identify safety concerns, and determine whether caregiving support or home care services may be beneficial.

While these decisions can be emotional and difficult. IADL assessments can also help families make informed decisions about caregiving, safety planning, therapy services, and long-term care support. In general, lower assessment scores may indicate a greater need for support with these activities.

Improving Abilities Related to Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

Supporting older adults in their Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) may help them remain independent, safe, and engaged in daily life. Maintaining these daily living skills can also support emotional well-being, confidence, mobility, and overall quality of life as people age.

There are several healthy habits and support strategies that may help older adults maintain or improve IADL-related abilities.

• Stay Physically Active: Regular physical activity may help older adults maintain strength, balance, mobility, and independence with daily activities. Even light movement such as walking, stretching, or low impact exercise can support healthy aging and overall well-being.
• Keep the Mind Active: Mentally stimulating activities such as puzzles, reading, music, games, and social interaction may help support cognitive health and daily functioning as people age.
• Focus on Nutrition: Healthy eating habits help support energy levels, cognitive health, strength, and independence with daily living activities. Older adults may benefit from nutrient-rich foods that support healthy aging, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains.
• Accept Support When Needed: Getting extra help with errands, transportation, meal preparation, housekeeping, or medication reminders may help older adults remain safely independent for longer. Some individuals may also benefit from occupational therapy, physical therapy, home care services, or caregiver support programs that help maintain important daily living skills.

Why Are Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Important?

The older adult population in the United States continues to grow rapidly, increasing the need for caregiving support, home safety planning, and long-term care resources. Being able to accurately evaluate someone’s ability to complete instrumental activities of daily living helps us serve this population with quality and timely care.

Evaluating IADLs plays an important role in identifying when older adults may benefit from additional caregiving support, home modifications, therapy services, or safety interventions. IADL assessments may also help families and healthcare professionals make informed decisions about independent living, companion care, and long-term care planning. IADL scores can sometimes serve as an early screening tool for cognitive decline, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease.

When to Seek Additional Support

Signs an Older Adult May Need Additional Support

Families may consider additional support if a loved one begins experiencing:

• Missed medications
• Difficulty managing bills or finances
• Unsafe driving behaviors
• Trouble preparing meals
• Increased confusion or forgetfulness
• Difficulty maintaining the home
• Missed appointments or errands
• Social withdrawal or isolation

Seeking support early may help older adults continue living safely and independently.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Assistance

Several types of healthcare and caregiving professionals may help older adults manage Instrumental Activities of Daily Living safely and effectively. These professionals include:

• Physical therapists
• Occupational therapists 
• Nurses 
• Companion caregivers 
• Social workers
• Personal support workers

The cost of caregiving support varies depending on:

• Level of assistance needed
• Location and state
• Type of care services
• Hours of support required
• Whether care is provided at home or in a facility
• Number of caregivers needed

According to current long-term care industry estimates, in-home caregiving and companion care costs have continued to increase nationwide. There are also alternative programs like Structured Family Caregiving that help family members assist with caregiving responsibilities at home through coaching and support.

If you have a loved one approaching their older years, consider monitoring their ability to manage instrumental activities of daily living so you can seek out appropriate services to support them.

Frequently Asked Questions About IADLs