Which instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) directly affect food security due to the inability to complete these tasks?

The reason why the inability to shop and prepare food directly affects food security is that these activities are essential for ensuring access to and the ability to consume adequate, nutritious food. Shopping is necessary for acquiring food, which includes planning meals, choosing healthy options, and purchasing items that meet dietary needs. If a person cannot shop, they may not have sufficient food available at home, leading to food insecurity.

Preparation of food is equally crucial, as it involves transforming raw ingredients into meals that can be consumed. If an individual cannot prepare food, they may rely on processed, often less nutritious options, or may go without eating altogether. Therefore, both the shopping and preparation aspects are integral to maintaining a stable food supply and meeting nutritional requirements.

In contrast, while managing finances is important for maintaining overall independence and ensuring that funds are available for purchasing food, it does not directly correlate to the immediate access and ability to consume food, as can be seen in the other options. Similarly, medication management and communication, while significant for health and social interaction, do not have a direct impact on a person’s ability to secure food.