Assumptions

• Living can be described as an amalgam of Activities of Living.
• The way ADL's are carried out by each person contributes to individuality in living.
• The individual is valued at all stages of the lifespan.
• Throughout the lifespan until adulthood, the individual tends to become increasingly independent in the ADL's.
• While independence in the ADL's is valued, dependence should not diminish the dignity of the individual.
• An individual's knowledge, attitudes and behavior related to ADL's are influenced by a variety of factors which can be categorized broadly as biological, psychological, socio cultural, environmental and politico-economic factors.
• The way in which an individual carries out the ADL's can fluctuate within a range of normal for that person.
• When the individual is "ill" there may be problems (actual or potential) with ADL's.
• During the lifespan, most individuals experience significant life events which can affect the way they carry out ADL's and may lead to problems, actual or potential.
• The concept of potential problem incorporates the promotion and maintenance of health, and the prevention of the disease, and identifies the role of nurse as a health teacher, even in illness settings.
• Within a health care context, nurses work in partnership with the client/patient who, except for special circumstances, is an autonomous, decision-making person.
• Nurses are part of a multi-professional health care team, who work in partnership for the benefit of the client/patient and for the health of the community.
• The specific function of nursing is to assist the individual to prevent, alleviate or solve, or cope positively with problems (actual or potential) related to ADL.

Author:  
John Michael Saclolo, RN