As loved ones age, families often notice small changes that signal the need for additional support.
Forgetting to take medications, struggling with dressing, or needing help preparing meals can be subtle signs that everyday tasks, known as activities of daily living (ADLs), are becoming more challenging.
These changes are natural, but they can also raise concerns about well-being, independence, and quality of life.
At The Legacy at Cimarron in El Paso, TX, our team provides personalized care plans to help seniors maintain their independence and dignity while offering support with ADLs. Whether through our assisted living or memory care programs, we’re here to guide families through this important transition.
What are activities of daily living for seniors?
ADLs are essential tasks that people perform every day to care for themselves and live independently. Identified in the 1950s by Sidney Katz, the Katz Index of Independence was one of the first tools developed to assess an individual’s ability to perform ADLs.
Today, ADLs are a cornerstone in evaluating seniors’ needs and determining the level of support required.
For many families providing home care, noticing that a loved one is struggling with these tasks can feel overwhelming. However, it’s important to know that these challenges are not unusual and often come with age.
Assistance with activities of daily living for seniors typically increases with age. According to the United States National Health Interview Survey:
- 20.7 percent of adults aged 85 or older need help with ADLs
- 7 percent of those aged 75 to 84 require assistance
- 3.4 percent of those aged 65 to 74 need support
This means you are not alone—many families navigate similar concerns as their loved ones grow older.
Nationwide, assisted living communities report that the most common areas where residents need support include:
- Bathing: 64 percent
- Walking: 50 percent
- Dressing: 49 percent
- Toileting: 43 percent
- Bed transfers: 34 percent
- Eating: 22 percent
These figures highlight the everyday challenges many seniors face and emphasize the value of supportive environments where personalized care can make all the difference.
Six Essential Daily Living Activities for Seniors
- Personal Hygiene: Bathing, grooming, and maintaining oral hygiene
- Dressing: Choosing appropriate clothing and dressing independently
- Eating: Feeding oneself or using assistive devices to eat
- Mobility: The ability to walk, transfer from bed to chair, or move safely around one’s environment
- Toileting: Managing bathroom needs independently
- Continence: Controlling bowel and bladder functions
Recognizing these needs is the first step toward ensuring your loved one receives the help they deserve. However, you should also understand the other essential needs for experiencing an independent lifestyle.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
While ADLs focus on basic self-care, instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) include tasks essential for managing a household and maintaining independence. These include:
- Meal preparation
- Medication management
- Managing finances
- Shopping
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Using technology
- Transportation
A decline in IADLs can significantly impact both the individual and their family members, often requiring more time and effort from loved ones or professional caregivers.
Common Causes of Decline in ADLs
Several factors can limit a senior’s ability to perform ADLs, including:
- Chronic Conditions: Arthritis, stroke, or neurological disorders
- Cognitive Decline: Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia
- Injuries: Falls or accidents that reduce mobility
- Age-Related Changes: Muscle weakness or joint stiffness
Health care professionals use ADL assessments to identify specific needs and develop care plans tailored to an individual’s challenges. Families may want to look into products and devices that can help ease a loved one’s lifestyle.
El Paso Mobility Aids and Products
For seniors and families looking to support independence at home, mobility aids and assistive products can be incredibly helpful.
Commonly used ADL and mobility products include:
- Grab Bars and Shower Chairs: Essential for bathroom safety and personal hygiene
- Dressing Aids: Button hooks, zipper pulls, and sock aids simplify dressing
- Mobility Aids: Walkers, canes, and wheelchairs improve the ability to walk
- Kitchen Gadgets: Easy-grip utensils and automatic can openers support meal preparation
Where to Buy Mobility Products in El Paso
For local purchases, All Choice Medical and Casa Medical offer a variety of mobility products in El Paso. For convenience, many aids can be ordered online through retailers like Amazon or specialized health care suppliers.
When shopping, look for items that are easy to use, durable, and suited to the senior’s specific needs.
How Senior Living Communities Support ADLs
When seniors need more consistent support, assisted living communities like The Legacy at Cimarron provide a seamless solution.
Assisted Living
Our El Paso assisted living community offers:
- Personalized care plans tailored to each resident’s ADL needs
- Assistance with dressing, bathing, and medication management
- Spacious private apartments designed for comfort and accessibility
- Chef-prepared meals in the dining room or delivered
- On-site team members, including health care professionals, to provide peace of mind
Memory Care
For those living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, our Connections memory care program emphasizes personalized support. While some residents remain mobile and independent, others benefit from additional help with daily living ADLs.
Our team works to balance well-being, autonomy, and community connection for every individual.
At The Legacy at Cimarron, we offer on-site rehabilitation services to help residents regain or maintain their independence. With guidance from occupational therapists, seniors can improve their ability to perform ADLs and reduce their reliance on mobility aids. These services enhance quality of life, allowing residents to stay active and engaged.
Supporting Activities of Daily Living for Seniors in El Paso
Understanding how ADLs impact older adults is essential for families planning for the future. From providing mobility aids to choosing the right senior living option, there are many ways to support independence and well-being.
At The Legacy at Cimarron, we’re committed to helping seniors and their families navigate assistance with ADLs. Whether through our assisted living or memory care services, our El Paso, TX community offers personalized care, compassionate support, and a social environment.
Schedule a tour today and discover how we can support your loved one’s independence and happiness.