ADLs
ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) are the basic self-care tasks that people need to do every day to live independently. When this term appears in healthcare job descriptions, it refers to helping elderly or disabled patients with these everyday activities. This includes tasks like helping patients eat, dress, bathe, use the bathroom, and move around. Healthcare workers often need to document how well patients can perform these activities and what kind of assistance they need. You might also see the term "BADLs" (Basic Activities of Daily Living) or "IADLs" (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) used to describe these concepts.
Examples in Resumes
Assisted residents with ADLs including bathing, dressing, and grooming
Documented and monitored patients' ADLs and IADLs progress
Trained new staff members in proper techniques for supporting resident ADLs
Typical job title: "Caregivers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Caregivers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Online Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle training new staff members on proper ADL assistance techniques?
Expected Answer: A senior caregiver should discuss creating detailed training plans, demonstrating proper techniques, ensuring safety protocols are followed, and implementing a system to monitor and evaluate new staff members' progress.
Q: How do you manage complex care situations where multiple residents need ADL assistance simultaneously?
Expected Answer: Should explain prioritization strategies, team coordination, time management skills, and how to maintain quality care while handling multiple responsibilities.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you document changes in a resident's ADL capabilities?
Expected Answer: Should describe proper documentation procedures, observation skills, communication with healthcare team members, and understanding of when to report changes to supervisors.
Q: What strategies do you use to encourage residents to maintain independence in their ADLs?
Expected Answer: Should discuss patience, positive reinforcement, understanding individual capabilities, and techniques for gradually increasing resident participation in self-care activities.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic ADLs you might help residents with?
Expected Answer: Should be able to list and briefly explain the main ADLs: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, eating, and walking/mobility assistance.
Q: How would you maintain resident dignity while assisting with ADLs?
Expected Answer: Should discuss privacy measures, respectful communication, asking for permission, and maintaining professional boundaries while providing personal care.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-1 years)
- Basic ADL assistance techniques
- Safety awareness
- Basic documentation
- Following care plans
Mid (1-3 years)
- Complex resident care
- Detailed documentation practices
- Time management with multiple residents
- Recognition of health changes
Senior (3+ years)
- Staff training and supervision
- Care plan development
- Complex case management
- Quality assurance practices
Red Flags to Watch For
- Inability to describe basic ADL tasks
- Lack of understanding about dignity and privacy
- Poor documentation skills
- No knowledge of safety procedures
- Uncomfortable with physical aspects of care
