Final answer:
ADLs are basic self-care activities necessary for daily life, while IADLs are complex tasks that enable an individual to live independently and maintain a household; laundry is an example of an IADL.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key distinction between an activity of daily living (ADL) and an instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) lies in the complexity and purpose of the tasks. ADLs are basic self-care tasks that individuals need to perform every day, such as bathing, dressing, eating, using the toilet, and moving around. On the other hand, IADLs are more complex tasks required for an individual to live independently and maintain a household, including activities such as managing finances, preparing meals, shopping for groceries, and handling transportation. While ADLs are fundamental for maintaining personal care and hygiene, IADLs take those abilities further and apply them to tasks that allow an individual to be self-sufficient in a community setting. For example, doing laundry, which is an IADL, involves not only the physical task of washing and drying clothes but also the organization and planning required to accomplish it regularly. The instrumental activity of laundry ensures that an individual has clean clothes to wear for different occasions, contributing to their social and professional life.