PROPER CARE FOR ELDERLY DURING ADL
( Activities of Daily Living)
Activities of daily living (ADLs) - is a term used in healthcare to refer to
daily self-care activities within an individual's place of residence, in outdoor
environments, or both.
2 (two) groups of daily living activities.
1. activities of daily living  after a stroke.
Basic Activities of Daily Living
Most senior care providers and health professionals group the activities of
daily living into the following six categories:
a. Bathing: includes grooming activities such as shaving, and brushing teeth
and hair
b. Dressing: choosing appropriate garments and being able to dress and
undress, having no trouble with buttons, zippers or other fasteners.
DRESSING AND UNDRESSING CLIENT
Clothes are closely associated with the personality of the patient and
whenever possible, while he is cared for in bed, he should be encouraged to
wear the kind of clothes he would normally wears.
Tips on Dressing and Undressing a Patient:
 Always preserve the patient modesty by not undressing him un-necessarily.
 Close the door and draw the curtains when undressing the patient.
 Keep the room warm because you may take some time to complete the task.
 Encourage patient to do as much as possible himself to boost his
independence and morale.
 Talk to patient to alley anxieties and embarrassment.
 Do not rush through the procedure.
 Be gentle in your movements and pull the clothes not the patient.
 The most disabled limb should be dressed first and undressed last. 
Tips on Choosing and Modifying Clothing:
 Clothes should be comfortable and loose-fitting.
 Avoid back fastenings and tight-fitting garments if the patient has limited
movement.
 Clothes with front pocket is much more accessible if the patient is sitting
down most of the time.
 Velcro trips can be inserted in trouser seams if zips cause difficulty.
 Front-fastening bras is useful for woman with arthritic hands or recuperating
 Cotton is the ideal material because it absorbs perspiration well.
c.Eating: being able to feed oneself.
d. Transferring: being able to walk, or, if not ambulatory, being able to
transfer oneself from bed to wheelchair and back
e. Continence: being able to control one’s bowels and bladder, or manage
one’s incontinence independently
f. Toileting: being able to use the toilet.
2. instrumental activities of daily living
 Using the telephone: being able to dial numbers, look up numbers,
etc.
 Managing medications: taking the appropriate medications and
correct dosages on time
 Preparing meals: making appropriate food choices and preparing
meals safely
 Maintaining the home: doing or arranging for housekeeping and
laundry
 Managing finances: budgeting, paying mortgage/rent and bills on
time, etc.
 Shopping: being able to shop for groceries and other small
necessities, and transport purchases from store to home
 Using transportation: being able to drive or use public transportation
for appointments, shopping, etc.
 Principles and procedures in administering medicines for the elderly

Administration of Medications

M e d i c a t i o n - Substance administered for the diagnosis, cure,

treatment, or relief of a symptom or for prevention of disease

D r u g - same as medication, but also refers to illicitly obtained substance

P r e s c r i p t i o n - The written direction for the preparation and

administration of a drug.

G e n e r i c   n a m e - name given before drug becomes officially

approved

O f f i c i a l n a m e - name which drug is listed in official publications.

C h e m i c a l   n a m e - name that describes the constituents

of the drug.

T r a d e n a m e - name given to drug by manufacturer (brand

name)

P h a r m a c o l o g y - study of the effect of drugs on living

organisms

P h a r m a c y - Art of preparing, compounding, and dispensing

drugs.