What Are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Why They Matter in Michigan’s Home Help Program

If you’re applying for the Michigan Medicaid Home Help Program, you’ll hear a lot about Activities of Daily Living, or ADLs. These are the basic personal care tasks that a person must be unable to do on their own in order to qualify for paid caregiving support.

In this blog, we’ll explain what ADLs are, why they’re so important, and how they affect your eligibility for caregiver hours.

🧼 What Are ADLs?

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are tasks related to basic self-care. The Michigan Home Help Program uses ADLs to evaluate how much help someone needs in their day-to-day life.

According to the state’s guidelines, ADLs include:

1. Mobility – Moving safely around the home (e.g., from bed to chair, walking, using stairs)

2. Transferring – Getting in and out of bed or a wheelchair

3. Toileting – Using the bathroom and managing hygiene afterward

4. Bathing – Showering or bathing safely

5. Grooming – Brushing teeth, shaving, combing hair

6. Dressing – Putting on or removing clothing

7. Eating – Feeding oneself or needing help with food intake

8. Medication Management – Remembering or physically taking medications

These tasks are observed and evaluated during the Adult Services Worker (ASW) home visit and are also documented on the DHS-54A Medical Needs form completed by a doctor.

📝 Why Do ADLs Matter?

ADLs are central to eligibility. The more help a person needs with ADLs, the more likely they are to:

• Be approved for the program

• Receive a greater number of paid caregiver hours

Each ADL is assigned a score based on the level of assistance needed:

• Verbal cueing only

• Some physical assistance

• Full assistance required

These scores help determine how many hours the caregiver can be paid for.

📋 What About Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)?

In addition to core ADLs, the state also considers Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). These include:

• Preparing meals

• Laundry

• Shopping

• Managing money

• Housework

IADLs alone are not enough to qualify — the applicant must also require help with at least one ADL to be eligible for services.

🧭 How to Document ADLs Effectively

Here’s how to ensure ADLs are properly documented:

• Medical Provider: The DHS-54A form should clearly describe the applicant’s limitations in each ADL area

• Caregiver Input: Be ready to explain the daily care routine during the ASW visit

• Don’t Downplay the Need: Many families underreport care needs. Be honest and specific

✅ Example:

“She can dress her upper body, but needs full help with pants and shoes due to balance problems.”
is better than
“She needs a little help getting dressed.”

🔚 Final Thoughts

Understanding ADLs is essential to getting approved for Michigan’s Home Help Program. The clearer your documentation and explanation, the more accurately your need can be evaluated.

👉 Learn more or begin your screening at michiganhomehelp.org