A person has weakness on the right side. How should ADLs be handled?

When addressing the activities of daily living (ADLs) for a person with weakness on one side of the body, it is crucial to promote independence and encourage participation to the maximum extent possible. Allowing the person to perform these tasks themselves—within their capabilities—supports their autonomy and self-esteem. This approach also helps in maintaining or enhancing their physical function and motor skills as they adapt to their circumstances.

Encouraging the individual to attempt ADLs also provides valuable opportunities for practice and improvement in coordination and strength on the affected side. It serves as a form of rehabilitation, fostering physical and cognitive engagement and potentially minimizing feelings of helplessness.

In contrast, having someone else completely do the tasks for them could reinforce dependency and limit the individual's ability to adapt to their weakness. Postponing tasks until the affected side can be fully functional may lead to lost opportunities for gradual improvement and may further frustrate the individual. Supervision by a therapist could indeed be beneficial in some contexts, particularly for initial training, but it should not replace the opportunity for the person to engage in their own self-care to the greatest extent possible. Thus, encouraging the individual to take part in their daily activities is the most effective and empowering choice.