Functional Assessment

Function
http://www.consultgerirn.org
To the right of “Evidence-Based Geriatric Topics”, select “Function” from the pulldown menu.

An excellent overview on function related to older adults and within the framework of the nursing process.

Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living
http://consultgerirn.org/uploads/File/trythis/issue02.pdf
Scroll down to the “General Assessment Series” box. In the upper righthand corner, click on “Click to view”. Scroll down to“Issue 2: Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADL)”.

Includes the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living, which assess basic activities such as feeding, dressing, toileting, continence, bathing, and transferring. Also includes information on why this assessment is important, why it is the best tool, target population, validity and reliability, and strengths and limitations.

Article: http://www.nursingcenter.com/library/JournalArticle.asp?Article_ID=781870
(Wallace, M., & Shelkey, M. (2008). Monitoring Functional Status in Hospitalized Older Adults. American Journal of Nursing, 108(4), 64-71).

Video: http://consultgerirn.org/resources/media/?vid_id=4610636#player_container

Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living                                                                    
http://consultgerirn.org/uploads/File/trythis/issue23.pdf                                                                  
Scroll down to the “General Assessment Series” box. In the upper righthand corner, click on “Click to view”. Scroll down to“Issue 23: The Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Scale”.

Includes the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, which can provide early warning of functional decline or the need to further assessment. Also includes information on why assessment is important, why this is the best tool, target population, validity and reliability, strengths and limitations, and followup.

Article: http://www.nursingcenter.com/library/JournalArticle.asp?Article_ID=781867
(Graf, C. (2008). The Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. American Journal of Nursing, 108(4) 52-62.)  

Video: http://consultgerirn.org/resources/media/?vid_id=4610675#player_container

Provides further information on the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, including administration, scoring and interpretation; reassessments; challenges; and communicating the results.

Functional Decline in Hospitalized Older Adults
http://www.nursingcenter.com/library/JournalArticle.asp?Article_ID=620483
(Graf, C. (2006). Functional decline in hospitalized older adults. AJN, 106 (1), 58-67)  (Not available for free)

Association of Rehabilitation Nurses
http://www.rehabnurse.org/

This is the homepage for the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses. ARN's mission is to promote and advance professional rehabilitation nursing practice through education, advocacy, collaboration, and research to enhance the quality of life for those affected by disability and chronic illness.

Post-Stroke Rehab: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH)
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/pubs/poststrokerehab.htm

This Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Fact Sheet is presented bye the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, which is a division of the NIH. Topics discussed include defining "stroke," treatments, prognosis, and current research related to stroke. Access to a list of websites for organizations related to stroke is also available.

Functional Assessment of the Elderly
http://www.pogoe.org/productid/18567
This guide for doing a functional assessment for older adults was developed for medical students, but has wide applicability to all types of health professionals.

Return to:

Table of Contents
Faculty Teaching Resources Homepage