Activities of daily living (ADLs), is a way to describe the functional status of a person. It is a tool in the biopsychosocial model of medicine, and is useful for assessing the elderly, the mentally ill, those with chronic diseases, and others. The biopsychosocial model of medicine, is a way of looking at the mind and body of a patient as two important systems that are interlinked. ... Medicine is the branch of health science and the sector of public life concerned with maintaining human health or restoring it through the treatment of disease and injury. ... Old age consists of ages nearing the average lifespan of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle. ... A mental illness is defined by the medical profession as a disorder of the brain that results in a disruption in a persons thinking, feeling, moods, and ability to relate to others and to work. ... Medicine In medicine, a persistent and lasting condition is said to be chronic (from Greek chronos). ...

This is seen to include a number of components, though these are not strict rules.

Basic ADL

Can the person carry out fundamental activities of self-care. This includes activities such as bathing, feeding, going to the toilet, controlling urine and bowels, dressing, grooming and taking medication. Flush toilet A toilet is a plumbing fixture and a disposal system primarily intended for the disposal of the bodily wastes urine and feces. ... Grooming refers to removing obvious imperfections in ones appearance, or improving ones hygiene. ... Oral medication A medication is a licenced drug taken to cure or reduce symptoms of an illness or medical condition. ...

Mobility

Refers to a person's ability to move around, including: walking (independently or with the assistance of another person or a piece of equipment, such as a cane, walker), wheeling a wheelchair, being able to get in and out of their bed, bathtub, vehicle, etc

Instrumental ADL

This includes activities not necessary for fundamental functioning, but still very useful in a community. Cooking, shopping, housework and transport are in this category. Cooking is the act of preparing food for consumption. ... Shopping is the examination of goods and services with the intent to buy. ... A household chore is a specific piece of work required to be done as a duty or for a specific fee, related to or used in the running of a household. ...

There are systems (such as the Katz ADL scale) that seek to quantify these functions and obtain a numerical value. These systems are useful for the prioritising of care and resources.

Generally though, these should be seen as rough guidelines for the assessment of a patient's ability to care for themselves.