Here is a comprehensive summary of the Wikipedia article on Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are fundamental self-care tasks used by healthcare professionals to assess an individual's functional status and ability to live independently. First proposed by Sidney Katz in the 1950s, this concept was expanded in 1969 by Lawton and Brody to include Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), which cover more complex tasks essential for maintaining independence in a community. Basic ADLs include essential self-care like bathing, dressing, and self-feeding, while IADLs encompass activities such as managing money, preparing meals, and taking medications.

The ability to perform these tasks significantly impacts an individual's quality of life and safety, often requiring assistance from others or mechanical devices if impaired due to age, disability, or injury. Assessment tools like the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), developed in 1983, use a 0-7 scale to evaluate the level of assistance required for various ADLs. Understanding a person's ADL and IADL status is crucial for tailoring care and support to maintain their health and well-being.