What are considered instrumental activities of daily living?

Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) refer to the more complex skills needed for independent living in the community. These activities go beyond basic self-care and often require higher-level cognitive functions. Therefore, complex cognitive skills are critical for tasks such as managing finances, medication management, transportation, shopping for groceries, and meal preparation. IADLs are essential for maintaining an individual’s autonomy and quality of life in a community setting.

While basic self-care tasks constitute activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, and eating, these do not encompass the broader set of skills associated with IADLs. Physical exercise activities contribute positively to overall health but are not classified as IADLs. Similarly, sensory perception tasks might aid in executing daily activities but are not defined as IADLs themselves. Understanding the distinction between these activities is crucial for evaluating a person's level of independence and the support they may require in daily life.