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 ADLs in elderly palliative care refers to Activities of Daily Living — the basic everyday activities an elderly person may need help with during palliative care.

6 Basic Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

• Bathing – Help with bathing, showering, and personal hygiene.
• Dressing – Assistance with putting on and taking off clothes.
• Toileting – Help with using the toilet, continence care, and hygiene.
• Transferring – Assistance moving between the bed, chair, or wheelchair.
• Continence – Managing bladder and bowel function.
• Feeding – Assistance with eating and drinking, as tolerated.

Important considerations in palliative care

• Comfort and dignity: Respect privacy, preferences, and personal wishes.
• Energy conservation: Provide assistance to reduce fatigue and breathlessness.
• Pain management: Give prescribed pain relief and provide gentle support during movement.
• Skin care: Reposition regularly as tolerated and keep skin clean and dry.
• Safety: Prevent falls and use appropriate mobility aids.
• Individualized support: Encourage independence when possible, without causing distress or exhaustion.

ADL assessment tools

Common tools used to assess elderly patients include:

• Katz Index of Independence in ADL – assesses independence in six basic activities.
• Barthel Index – assesses functional ability and the level of assistance required.
• Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) – assesses mobility, activity, self-care, oral intake, and consciousness in palliative care.

Key principle: In palliative care, the goal is not necessarily to restore independence, but to maintain comfort, dignity, and quality of life while providing the right level of assistance.