Bathing
Washing yourself by sponge bath or in a tub or shower, including getting into or out of the tub or shower.
Direct Answer
The Six Activities of Daily Living
The six standard activities of daily living are bathing, continence, dressing, eating, toileting and transferring.
For federally tax-qualified long term care purposes, a person can meet the functional benefit trigger when a licensed health care practitioner certifies that the person is expected to be unable to perform at least two ADLs without substantial assistance for at least 90 days. Severe cognitive impairment can also be a separate qualifying trigger.
The 6 ADLs
What Does Each Activity of Daily Living Mean?
Continence
Maintaining control of bowel and bladder function or performing the personal hygiene needed when control is not maintained.
Dressing
Putting on and taking off clothing and medically necessary braces, fasteners or artificial limbs when applicable.
Eating
Feeding yourself by getting food into the body from a receptacle such as a plate, cup or table.
Toileting
Getting to and from the toilet, getting on and off it and performing the associated personal hygiene.
Transferring
Moving into or out of a bed, chair or wheelchair.
Insurance Claims
Why ADLs Matter for Long Term Care Insurance
Many long term care policies use ADL limitations as part of the benefit trigger. A common tax-qualified standard is the inability to perform at least two of the six ADLs without substantial assistance for an expected period of at least 90 days.
Cognitive impairment matters too. A person can qualify under the severe cognitive impairment trigger even if physical ADL limitations do not independently satisfy the functional trigger. The actual policy language controls the claim.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is walking an activity of daily living?
Walking is not one of the six federal ADLs used in the tax-qualified long term care definition. Transferring is one of the six.
How many ADLs do you have to lose for long term care insurance?
Tax-qualified policies generally use inability to perform at least two of the six ADLs without substantial assistance for the required period, or severe cognitive impairment. Review the actual contract.
Does dementia require two failed ADLs?
Not necessarily. Severe cognitive impairment requiring substantial supervision can be a separate benefit trigger under a tax-qualified long term care contract.
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Educational Disclaimer
This information is for general educational purposes and is not individualized insurance, legal, tax, investment or financial advice. Product features, underwriting, premiums, benefit triggers, riders and availability vary by insurer, state and individual circumstances. Review the actual policy before purchasing coverage.
