Personal Activities of Daily Living (PADL) Assessments

Personal Activities of Daily Living (PADL’s) are the everyday, basic tasks that need to be completed to maintain self-care. They are broken down into a number of categories, including;

• Personal hygiene
• Dressing
• Toileting
• Continence Management
• Eating
• Transferring and Mobilising

We can assess the way an individual completes these tasks and review the physical, cognitive and environmental aspects that may impact performance of the tasks. The assessment involves demonstrating how these tasks are performed within the normal environment. We can then provide recommendations of ways to make the activity as safe as possible and promote independence. Even if an individual is assisted with tasks like showering or dressing, we can identify ways one can complete some of the activity, which in turn promotes self-worth. Outcomes from an ADL assessment can include;

• Safer transfer methods to reduce injury risk
• Installation of modifications to increase independence – including grab rails, hand held shower hoses or changing the shower door
• Equipment prescription – seating and washing aids, mobility aids or lipped plates and built up cutlery
• Increasing independence with ADL tasks