ADLs and IADLs: The Complete HHA Guide

ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) and IADLs (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) are the foundation of home health aide work — and appear on every HHA certification exam. Here's everything you need to know.

ADLs

Activities of Daily Living

Basic self-care tasks essential for daily survival. These require physical assistance and are the core focus of HHA work.

IADLs

Instrumental ADLs

More complex tasks needed for independent living. These require tools, planning, or community access.

The 7 ADLs — and the HHA's Role

Memorize these 7. The exam will test whether you know the difference between ADLs and IADLs, and what the HHA's specific role is for each.

ADL	What It Involves	HHA's Role
Bathing	Washing the body — full bath, shower, bed bath, or partial bath	Assist with or perform based on client's ability level
Dressing	Putting on and removing clothing and shoes	Assist with closures, adaptive equipment; encourage independence
Eating/Feeding	Getting food from the plate to the mouth	Set up meals, assist with feeding, follow dietary restrictions
Toileting	Getting to/from the toilet, managing clothing, hygiene after	Assist with transfers, clothing, perineal care; maintain dignity
Continence	Controlling bladder and bowel function	Scheduled toileting, catheter care as directed, incontinence products
Transferring/Mobility	Moving between positions — bed to chair, standing, walking	Assist with transfers, ambulation; use gait belt when needed
Personal Hygiene/Grooming	Oral care, hair care, nail care, shaving	Assist or perform; respect client preferences

The 7 IADLs — and the HHA's Role

IADL	What It Involves	HHA's Role
Meal preparation	Planning, shopping for, and cooking meals	Prepare meals per dietary plan; follow texture/sodium/diabetic restrictions
Housekeeping	Cleaning, laundry, maintaining a safe home	Light cleaning and laundry; note safety hazards
Shopping	Buying groceries, household supplies, medications	Accompany client or shop on their behalf per care plan
Transportation	Getting to appointments, errands, community activities	May assist per care plan; follow agency policy on transport
Managing medications	Keeping track of and taking prescribed medications	Remind only — never administer. Report non-compliance to supervisor
Managing finances	Paying bills, banking, managing money	Outside HHA scope — never handle client funds without written authorization
Using telephone/technology	Making calls, emergency communication	Assist with setup; ensure emergency numbers are accessible

ADL/IADL Exam Practice Questions

Q1: Which of the following is an ADL?

A:Bathing. ADLs are basic self-care tasks: bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, continence, and transferring. Cooking and shopping are IADLs.

Q2: An HHA assists a client with meal preparation. This is an example of:

A:An IADL (Instrumental Activity of Daily Living). Meal prep requires planning and use of tools — it is more complex than basic self-care.

Q3: Why is maintaining client independence in ADLs important?

A:Independence preserves dignity, slows functional decline, and supports mental health. HHAs should assist only as much as needed — encouraging the client to do what they can.

Q4: A client can brush their own teeth but cannot dress independently. The HHA should:

A:Allow the client to brush their teeth independently (supporting autonomy) while assisting with dressing. Never do for a client what they can safely do for themselves.

Q5: Managing medications is considered an IADL. What is the HHA's role?

A:Medication reminders only. The HHA can remind the client it is time to take their medication and read the label aloud — but cannot administer, pour, or handle medications.

→HHA Scope of Practice — Full list of what HHAs can and cannot do →HHA Exam Q&As — 70 practice questions covering all 7 domains

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