Final answer:
ADLs are foundational skills necessary for self-care that include bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, continence, and feeding. These activities are important criteria for determining eligibility for long-term care coverage, and are increasingly considered in proactive retirement and health care planning.
Step-by-step explanation:
When dealing with long-term care coverage, Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are a set of foundational skills that are necessary for individuals to care for themselves independently. ADLs generally include tasks such as:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Transferring (moving from a bed to a chair, for example)
- Toileting
- Continence
- Feeding
Assessing an individual's ability to perform these ADLs helps to determine their eligibility for long-term care coverage, as these tasks are used to gauge a person's level of functioning and need for assistance.
Many people are now making proactive decisions about their later years, including retirement planning, arranging medical power of attorney, and creating living wills. This forward-thinking approach allows for a greater sense of control and preparedness when considering potential long-term care needs.