Katz Index of Independence in ADL

The Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living, developed by Sidney Katz and colleagues in 1963, is one of the earliest and most widely used tools for assessing functional status in older adults and persons with chronic illness. The scale evaluates six essential self-care activities (bathing, dressing, toileting, transfer, continence, feeding) through direct observation or interview and assigns an overall grade (A through G) reflecting the degree of independence. It remains a foundational instrument in geriatric assessment, rehabilitation medicine, and long-term care settings.