The Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) is a tool used by healthcare providers to measure how well a person can perform basic tasks that are essential for daily living.
These tasks are critical for maintaining independence, especially for older adults or individuals with chronic illnesses.
The Katz Index was developed by Dr. Sidney Katz in the 1960s. It evaluates a person's ability to perform six basic activities of daily living without assistance.
These activities are:
The ability to wash oneself in a bathtub, shower, or by sponge bath.
The ability to put on and take off clothing, including managing fasteners like buttons and zippers.
The ability to use the toilet, including getting on and off the toilet and managing personal hygiene.
The ability to move from one place to another, such as from a bed to a chair.
The ability to control bladder and bowel functions.
The ability to eat independently.
Each of these activities is scored as either independent or dependent.
A person who can perform the activity without help is considered independent.