IADL
Medical abbreviation · Rehabilitation
| Stands for | Instrumental activities of daily living |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
IADL stands for Instrumental activities of daily living, a rehabilitation abbreviation.
More complex everyday tasks needed to live independently, such as managing medications, money, shopping, cooking, housekeeping, laundry, using the telephone and arranging transportation.
Example: IADLs: daughter manages finances and medications; pt cooks simple meals.
Usage notes
The Lawton IADL scale, published by M. Powell Lawton and Elaine Brody in 1969, is the classic measure. IADLs usually decline before basic ADLs in early dementia, so they are sensitive markers of cognitive change. Occupational therapy home evaluations often target IADL safety, such as stove use.
Related abbreviations
More rehabilitation abbreviations
- FIM – Functional Independence Measure
- FROM – Full range of motion
- FWB – Full weight bearing
- FWW – Front-wheeled walker
- HEP – Home exercise program
- HTL – Honey-thick liquids
- IDDSI – International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative
- IFC – Interferential current
- IRF-PAI – Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Patient Assessment Instrument
- KAFO – Knee-ankle-foot orthosis
- LAQ – Long arc quad
- LEFS – Lower Extremity Functional Scale
See all 98 rehabilitation abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.