Impact of ADLs on Older Adult Functioning

The nurse is assessing the health of a 70-year-old female client during a routine check-up. The client reports recent difficulty with daily activities and expresses concern about her ability to maintain her independence. As part of the assessment, the nurse should use the concept of activities of daily living (ADLs) to evaluate the client's functional status.

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate term: The presence of difficulties in completing basic ADLs can significantly affect an older adult's self-esteem and ________.