The Barthel Index is a simple tool used by healthcare professionals to measure a person's ability to perform everyday activities independently. These activities, known as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), include tasks like eating, bathing, dressing, and moving around. The Barthel Index helps to determine how much assistance someone needs in their daily life.
The Barthel Index assesses ten specific activities:
Can the person eat by themselves?
Can they bathe without help?
Can they take care of personal hygiene, like brushing their teeth or combing their hair?
Can they put on and take off clothes independently?
Can they manage their bowel movements without help?
Can they manage their bladder functions independently?