Patient Needs
Support personal hygiene, comfort, dignity, independence, and daily routines.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):
- Bathing and personal hygiene.
- Dressing and grooming.
- Toileting and continence care.
- Eating and drinking.
- Mobility and transfers.
What Should I Assess?
- Ability to complete tasks independently.
- Resident preferences and usual routines.
- Pain, fatigue, confusion, or refusal.
- Changes in skin condition, mobility, or hygiene needs.
- Equipment and assistance required by the care plan.
How Do I Provide Care?
Morning & Evening Care:
- Offer toileting and perineal care as needed.
- Assist with bathing or washing.
- Provide oral care and grooming.
- Assist with dressing or changing into sleepwear.
- Reposition for comfort and safety.
- Encourage restorative activities and independence.
- Tidy the resident’s bed and immediate environment.
General Principles: - Offer choices and explain each activity.
- Let residents complete tasks they can safely do.
- Adapt the sequence to individual preferences.
- Maintain privacy, warmth, and dignity.
Safety & Precautions
- Follow Standard Precautions and the care plan.
- Keep supplies clean and separate from contaminated items.
- Respect refusals and report unmet care needs.
- Avoid rushing residents or unnecessarily taking over tasks.
What Should I Report?
- New difficulties with ADLs.
- Refusal of essential care.
- New pain, skin changes, or functional decline.
- Changes in the amount of assistance required.
Related
- Routine Bathing
- Perineal Care
- Dressing & Clothing Assistance
- Oral Care & Denture Care
- Restorative & Rehabilitative Care
Flashcards
What is the main independence principle for assisting with ADLs?01-foundations / patient-care
Answer
Encourage the resident to do whatever they can safely do.