IADLs
IADLs (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) are the complex day-to-day tasks that people need to live independently. Think of them as the life management activities that go beyond basic self-care. These include things like managing medications, cooking meals, doing laundry, handling money, and using transportation. Healthcare professionals, especially occupational therapists and physical therapists, evaluate and help improve patients' ability to perform these tasks. When you see this term in resumes, it usually indicates experience in assessing and supporting patients with these higher-level daily activities.
Examples in Resumes
Conducted comprehensive IADL assessments for elderly patients in home health settings
Developed treatment plans focusing on IADLs to improve patient independence
Successfully trained stroke recovery patients in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
Typical job title: "Occupational Therapists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Occupational Therapists
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you develop and implement IADL treatment plans for complex cases?
Expected Answer: A senior therapist should discuss their experience creating comprehensive treatment plans, adapting approaches for different conditions, and measuring outcomes. They should mention working with multiple healthcare team members and managing challenging cases.
Q: How do you train and mentor other staff in IADL assessment and intervention?
Expected Answer: They should describe their experience teaching assessment methods, demonstrating treatment techniques, and supporting junior staff development. Should include examples of creating training materials and protocols.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What assessment tools do you use to evaluate IADLs?
Expected Answer: Should be able to name specific assessment tools and explain when to use each one. Should discuss how they document progress and adjust treatment plans based on results.
Q: How do you modify IADL interventions for different conditions?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they adapt approaches for different diagnoses like stroke, dementia, or injury. Should give examples of creative problem-solving in treatment.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are IADLs and why are they important?
Expected Answer: Should be able to list main IADLs and explain their importance for independent living. Should understand basic assessment processes and documentation requirements.
Q: How do you ensure safety when working with patients on IADLs?
Expected Answer: Should discuss basic safety precautions, proper body mechanics, and when to seek assistance. Should know when to stop an activity if safety concerns arise.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic IADL assessments
- Simple treatment planning
- Documentation skills
- Safety awareness
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex case management
- Multiple assessment tools
- Treatment modification skills
- Family training
Senior (5+ years)
- Program development
- Staff training and mentoring
- Complex case management
- Quality improvement initiatives
Red Flags to Watch For
- No hands-on experience with patient care
- Unfamiliar with common assessment tools
- Poor documentation skills
- Lack of safety awareness
- No experience with different age groups or conditions
Related Terms
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