Activities of daily living

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
M A CHIDAMBARAM COLLEGE OF NURSING , CHENNAI

1. ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING

2. INTRODUCTION ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING ( ADL) are the activities usually performed in the course of a normal day in the individual’s life such as eating , working or brushing the teeth.

3. The activities of adl includes : Maintaining safe environment : To achieve personal & domestic cleanliness & aimed at decreasing the number of micro-organisms to maintain a safe environment. Communication : Communication is the process of exchanging thoughts, ideas, of feeling from one individual to others. Verbal & non verbal communication Breathing : In the breathing process, the cell of the body receives air,( oxygen ) essential for all the body cells , without which human life will not exist.

4. Eating & drinking : They are essential activities of the daily living Human life cannot be sustained for all the body cells, without eating & drinking. Many people in the world die daily due to starvation. Eliminating : Eliminating ( bath , urinary & faecal ) likes eating & drinking is necessary & on integral activity of everyday life, eliminating is regard as a highly private activity. Personal cleansing & Dressing : Activities included are washing, bathing, care of hair, nails ,teeth , mouth & clothing. Controlling body temperature : Regulation of body temperature is essential for different biological processcess . People have to avoid the hazards & discomfort of heat & cold by varying the amount of clothing , regulating the amount of physical activity, etc

5. Mobilizing : Mobilizing includes the movement produced by groups of large muscles ( e.g. facial expression & gestures ). Working & Playing : Work & play are important for physical & mental health. Expressing Sexuality / Reproduction : Style of dress , physical appearance , & in many forms of verbal & non –verbal communication are other ways in which sexuality is expressed. Sleeping : Essential for healthy living The body process does not stop during sleep. All individual have periods of activity & sleep.

6. Spirituality : Spirituality may include religion. Religion is often characteristiced by set forms of worships & codes of conduct. Dying : Dying is also included in the activities of living. It is the final act of living.

7. Factors influencing the activities of daily living : Physical factors : Body’s physical ability alters according to the age. e.g. reduced physical ability in the old age. The physical factor of the body has an important influence on the individual’s activities of daily living throughout the life. E.g. cardio pulmonary system with the ADL of breathing , the musculo-skeletal system with the ADL of mobilizing.

8. Psychological factors : Intellectual aspects Emotional aspects Socio-cultural factors Environmental factors Politico- Economic factors : ADL by its norms.

9. Implication of human needs in nursing practice Knowledge of human needs helps nurses to : Understand themselves , so that they can meet their personal needs outside the health care setting , E.g : maintenance of body temperature. 2. Set priorities as in giving care . E.g.working & playing will assume a low priornality during a period of critical illnss . 3.Better to understand patient’s behaviour so that they can respond terapeutically rather than emotionally E.g. a patient putting on his signal light repeatedly may convey the message of need for safety.

10. 4. Relieve the distress of patients E. g. helping a patient to meet his unmet need of love & affection. 5. To get used to all ages & in all health care settings both at health & illness .it is an approach for holistic nursing care. 6. Help client to develop & grow E.g Nurse can help clients to move towards self actualization by helping them to find meaning on their illness experience . 7. Provide a frame work & be applied in the nursing process at the individual & family level.