Which term refers to complex self-care activities used to evaluate independence of disabled persons or older adults; examples include shopping, preparing meals, managing finances, and taking medications as prescribed?

Which term refers to complex self-care activities used to evaluate independence of disabled persons or older adults; examples include shopping, preparing meals, managing finances, and taking medications as prescribed?

• A. ADLs
• B. HCBS
• C. LTSS
• D. IADLs

Answer: (D)

Understanding independence in daily living often splits into basic self-care tasks and more complex tasks that enable someone to live on their own. The examples—shopping, preparing meals, managing finances, and taking medications as prescribed—reflect higher-level activities that require planning and problem-solving, not just physical ability. These are called instrumental activities of daily living. They measure whether a person can live independently with some support, whereas Activities of Daily Living refer to basic self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, feeding, and continence. The other terms—home and community-based services and long-term services and supports—refer to services and supports rather than the individual tasks themselves. So the described set of activities aligns with instrumental activities of daily living.

Understanding independence in daily living often splits into basic self-care tasks and more complex tasks that enable someone to live on their own. The examples—shopping, preparing meals, managing finances, and taking medications as prescribed—reflect higher-level activities that require planning and problem-solving, not just physical ability. These are called instrumental activities of daily living. They measure whether a person can live independently with some support, whereas Activities of Daily Living refer to basic self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, feeding, and continence. The other terms—home and community-based services and long-term services and supports—refer to services and supports rather than the individual tasks themselves. So the described set of activities aligns with instrumental activities of daily living.