Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are tasks related to personal care. The ADL score looks at four of these tasks: transfer, bed mobility, toileting, and eating. The resident's self-performance and the amount of staff support provided are evaluated for all of these tasks.

The scale used to measure independence in ADLs uses ratings from 0 through 3. A score of zero represents complete independence (no impairment), while 3 represents complete dependence (impairment).

ADLs may be measured by self-report, proxy/caregiver/informant report, and/or direct observation. These tools obtain a general sense of the level of assistance needed and the type of setting that is most appropriate for the patient.

ADLs address those very basic activities that allow a patient to care for themselves, such as bathing and using the bathroom. On the other hand, iADLs are more complex, but they are also important to getting a patient back to their lives. Examples of iADLs include balancing a checkbook and managing medications.

BEST TOOL: The Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living, commonly referred to as the Katz ADL, is the most appropriate instrument to assess functional status as a measurement of the client's ability to perform activities of daily living independently.