What is the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADL)?
The Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) is a tool used to assess a patient's ability to independently perform basic activities essential for self-care. Developed by Dr. Sidney Katz in the 1960s, this index evaluates six fundamental functions: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding. Each function is scored as either dependent or independent, providing a comprehensive overview of a patient's functional status.