Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

Instrumental activities of daily living, or IADLs, are activities that allow a person to live independently in
a community. The ability to perform IADLs can significantly improve a person’s quality of life and
include cooking, cleaning, transportation, laundry, managing finances, and managing medication.
Because it can be difficult to accomplish IADLs after a brain injury, addressing them is important in the
journey to recovery and independence.
There are several ways a person with a brain injury can improve or maintain their ability to perform
IADLs including:

• Exercise – research shows that even simple physical activities improve mental health, cognitive
  function, and sleep; it also helps with weight control.
• Focus on wellness – eating healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, and complex carbs, staying
  hydrated, and getting enough sleep supports overall health.
• Accept help – this could mean letting a friend help you create a budget, install an app that
  manages medication, or it could mean professional support from an occupational therapist.
• Embrace technology – low and high tech solutions including medication reminders on Alexa,
  face-to-face communication with friends/family/professionals over a smart device, tracking
  devices, apps, etc. can increase your independence and decrease social isolation and loneliness.
• Practice – you can improve sooner if you practice; ask a trusted friend or family member to
  review how well you did and be open to their feedback.
• Adapt your environment – for example, make sure the path to the bathroom is clear of furniture;
  use a bench in the bathtub; buy non-tip cups; utilize grip extensions; get rid of clothing with
  buttons if difficult to manage; join a meal subscription plan – get creative!

Content last reviewed: June 2021
This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. The information is not intended as a substitute for professional advice,
diagnosis or treatment, and you should not use the information in place of the advice of your medical, psychological, or legal providers.
This project is supported [in part] through state general funds (Contract #16-002A) administered by the Virginia Department for Aging and
Rehabilitative Services (DARS).