IADLs
IADLs (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) are key tasks that elderly or disabled individuals need to do to live independently. These include activities like managing medications, preparing meals, doing laundry, and handling finances. Care workers use this term when describing how much help a person needs to stay independent in their home. It's different from basic ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) which cover more basic personal care tasks like bathing or dressing. When you see IADLs mentioned in a resume, it shows the candidate has experience evaluating and supporting seniors with these important life management tasks.
Examples in Resumes
Conducted monthly IADLs assessments for 25 seniors in assisted living facility
Trained family caregivers in proper IADLs support techniques
Developed care plans based on IADLs and ADLs evaluations for home care clients
Typical job title: "Geriatric Care Managers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Geriatric Care Managers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Online Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you develop and implement care plans based on IADL assessments?
Expected Answer: A senior care professional should explain their process of evaluating clients' needs, creating comprehensive care plans that address each IADL area, coordinating with family members and other healthcare providers, and adjusting plans as needs change.
Q: How do you train and supervise staff in conducting IADL assessments?
Expected Answer: Should discuss their experience in teaching assessment techniques, ensuring consistency across staff members, maintaining documentation standards, and implementing quality control measures.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What tools do you use to assess IADLs, and how do you determine when intervention is needed?
Expected Answer: Should be familiar with common assessment tools, explain how they evaluate clients' abilities in different IADL areas, and describe signs that indicate a need for additional support.
Q: How do you handle situations where a client's IADL abilities are declining?
Expected Answer: Should discuss their approach to communicating with clients and families, adjusting care plans, and coordinating with healthcare providers to ensure proper support.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the main categories of IADLs that you assess?
Expected Answer: Should be able to list and explain basic IADL categories like medication management, meal preparation, housekeeping, transportation, and money management.
Q: How do you document IADL assessments?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of basic documentation practices, including recording observations, using assessment forms, and maintaining client records.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic IADL assessment knowledge
- Documentation of client needs
- Following care plans
- Basic communication with clients
Mid (2-5 years)
- Detailed IADL assessments
- Care plan development
- Family communication
- Crisis intervention
Senior (5+ years)
- Program development
- Staff training and supervision
- Quality assurance
- Complex case management
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unfamiliarity with basic IADL categories
- Poor documentation skills
- Lack of experience with elderly clients
- Unable to explain assessment processes
- No knowledge of safety protocols
Related Terms
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