Daily Life
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are routine activities that people tend to do every day without needing assistance. We often don’t even think of them as “activities.”
Six Basic Areas of ADLs
- Eating and preparing food
- Bathing
- Dressing and grooming
- Toilet hygiene (getting to the toilet, cleaning oneself, and getting back up)
- Functional mobility (moving from one place to another while doing tasks)
- Managing memory and schedule for daily tasks
For many people with disabilities, any or all of these daily routines can be challenging. There are devices and strategies that can help increase independence and efficiency with these tasks. Occupational therapists are trained to help problem-solve many of these activities.
In the AT Lab
A variety of daily living tools are available in the AT Lab that you may explore during Open Lab hours or during a personal Consultation.
Examples of basic tools in the AT Lab:
- A variety of pencil grips
- Eating and cooking utensils
- Time management apps
- Task lighting for those with low vision
- “Smart home” devices such as the Amazon Echo
- “Light tech” daily schedules