Medical Terminology for Persons Requiring ADL Assistance
A person who requires assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) is medically termed "ADL-dependent" or classified as having "ADL dependency." 1, 2
Standard Classification Terms
The medical literature uses several specific terms to describe individuals requiring ADL assistance:
- "ADL-dependent" is the most common medical term used in clinical documentation, research databases, and health insurance systems to identify persons requiring help with basic self-care activities 2
- "Dependent in ADLs" indicates the person requires assistance from another person to complete one or more basic activities of daily living 1, 3
- "Moderately frail" (Clinical Frailty Scale level 6) describes individuals who need minimal assistance with activities such as dressing and require help with all outside activities and household maintenance 4
Degrees of Dependency Classification
Medical professionals distinguish between different levels of assistance needs rather than using a simple binary classification:
- "Independent" means the person performs all ADL activities without assistance from another person 1, 3
- "Some help" or "minimal assistance" indicates the person can perform most of the activity but requires partial support 5
- "Unable" or "complete dependence" means the person cannot perform the activity without full assistance 1, 5
- "Standby assist" describes someone who can perform activities independently but requires someone nearby for safety, verbal cues, or occasional physical assistance 4
ADL Assessment Components
The medical assessment distinguishes between two categories of daily living activities:
- Basic ADLs (P-ADLs or personal ADLs) include bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding—these are fundamental self-care activities 1, 3
- Instrumental ADLs (IADLs) include more complex activities such as shopping, cooking, managing finances, managing medications, using transportation, doing housework, using the telephone, and doing laundry 1
Clinical Documentation Standards
When documenting ADL dependency in medical records:
- Specify the exact ADL impairments and level of assistance required (standby, minimal, moderate, maximal, or total) rather than using vague language like "needs assistance" 6
- Use standardized assessment tools such as the Katz Index of Independence in ADLs or the ADL scale to quantify dependency levels 1
- Document whether assistance is needed from another person versus the ability to perform with adaptive equipment alone 1, 7
Common Pitfall to Avoid
Do not use the term "disabled" as a general descriptor without specifying ADL dependency, as disability encompasses a broader range of functional limitations beyond just self-care activities 3, 5. The specific term "ADL-dependent" provides precise clinical information about the person's functional status and care needs.