activity of daily living

[ ak-tiv-i-tee uhv dey-lee liv-ing ]

noun

, Medicine/Medical

1. Usually activities of daily living. any of the routine tasks an individual must be capable of performing in order to function independently, as dressing, eating, moving around, and maintaining personal hygiene:

   While she was recovering from a broken hip, insurance paid for a home health aide to help her with activities of daily living.

Word History and Origins

Origin of activity of daily living¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

In Tuvalu, an island country in the Pacific Ocean at significant risk of being devastated by climate change in the near future, a survey published this year found that 87 percent of respondents reported such severe climate anxiety it impaired their ability to perform at least one activity of daily living.

From Scientific American

Going up and down stairs is another very important activity of daily living.

From US News

The Laverna Terrace Housing Corp. in the northeastern Indiana town of Avilla will use its $3 million grant to create 31 service-enriched units to assist residents who are unable to perform at least one activity of daily living.

From Washington Times

The numbers, based on interviews with more than 8,200 adults over age 50 who died from 1995 to 2010: – Two years before their deaths, 28 percent of people were disabled, defined as needing help with an activity of daily living like bathing or dressing or using a toilet.

From New York Times

Yet government figures show nearly 1 in 5 seniors living in the community have trouble with at least one activity of daily living, such as walking or bathing.

From Seattle Times