Index of Activities of Daily Living

Today’s post is part of our series, The Encompass Way. Here, we’ll go over many of the steps involved in setting up a comprehensive care plan, which helps us to provide seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system.

home care omahaPhysicians Choice Private Duty professionals conduct a comprehensive in-home assessment for each of our clients. Each assessment looks at a client’s current psychological, environmental, functionality and medical status, helping us develop a written plan of care and coordinate the health care providers and family members who are responsible for the execution of the plan of care.

Part of determining a client’s functionality status is to index his or her Activities of Daily Living (ADL).

Below is an adaption of Dr. Katz’s ADL index, via The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, College of Nursing and New York University.

Index of Activities of Daily Living

ACTIVITY

Bowel

    • 0 = incontinent

 

    • 1 = occasional accident (once a week)

 

    • 2 = continent

 

Bladder

    • 0 = incontinent

 

    • 1 = occasional accident (max. once per 24 hours)

 

    • 2 = continent (for over 7 days)

 

Grooming

    • 0 = needs help with personal care

 

    • 1 = independent face/hair/teeth/shaving (implements provided)

 

Toilet Use

    • 0 = dependent

 

    • 1 = needs some help, but can do something alone

 

    • 2 = independent (on and off, dressing, wiping)

 

Feeding

    • 0 = unable

 

    • 1 = needs help cutting, spreading butter, etc.

 

    • 2 = independent (food provided within reach)

 

Transfer

    • 0 = unable (no sitting balance)

 

    • 1 = major help (one or two people, physical), can sit

 

    • 2 = minor help (verbal or physical)

 

    • 3 = independent

 

Mobility

    • 0 = immobile

 

    • 1 = wheelchair independent, including corners, etc.

 

    • 2 = walks with help of one person (verbal or physical)

 

    • 3 = independent (but may use any aid, e.g. stick)

 

Dressing

    • 0 = dependent

 

    • 1 = needs help, but can do about half unaided

 

    • 2 = independent (including buttons, zips, laces, etc.)

 

Stairs

    • 0 = unable

 

    • 1 = needs help (verbal, physical, carrying aid)

 

    • 2 = independent up and down

 

Bathing

    • 0 = dependent

 

    • 1 = independent (or in shower)

 

TOTAL SCORE = ____________ 6 = High (patient independent) 0 = Low (patient very dependent)

Currently serving Omaha and surrounding areas, all Encompass services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

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“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit us today..”

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