004 – What are ADLs and IADLs (& why they matter in memory loss)

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains what are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), and why they matter when it comes to helping older adults age in place. She also explains why they are part of diagnosing mild cognitive impairment vs dementia, and their role in certain aspects of eldercare.

She covers:

• 4 ways ADLs and IADLs are used in eldercare
• Why eldercare professionals often assess ADLs and IADLs
• Why ADLs and IADLs matter in memory loss
• What are ADLs
• What are IADLs
• The difference between ADLs and IADLs
• How ADLs and IADLs are assessed
• Why these are essential to assess if your parent wants to age in place

Related episode: 

       005 – How ADLs and IADLs Change in Early Alzheimer’s

Related Resources:

• Related article: What are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) & Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)?
• Free online training: Memory Loss & Safety: How to Have Better Talks & Fewer Fights With Your Aging Parent
• Dr. Kernisan’s book: When Your Aging Parent Needs Help: A Geriatrician’s Step-by-Step Guide to Memory Loss, Resistance, Safety Worries, & More
• Get 12 weeks of expert guidance from Dr. K and her team of geriatric care managers, on how & when to step in to help a parent with memory loss: Helping Older Parents with Early Memory Loss Program