Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
Assesses independence in eight instrumental activities of daily living.
When to use
Functional assessment of older adults and adults with chronic disease affecting instrumental activities.
Pearls and pitfalls
- The activities assessed are telephone, shopping, meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, transport, medications and finances.
- Meal preparation, housekeeping and laundry are not scored for men in the original version, changing the maximum from 8 to 5.
- The scale measures observed or reported independence, not theoretical maximum capacity.
- One dependent activity does not by itself define the need for institutionalization.
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Formula
Add 1 point for each activity performed without help among those applicable to the sex; the maximum is 8 for women and 5 for men.
Evidence
Scale developed to assess maintenance of instrumental activities in older adults, with items chosen for functional relevance.
References
- Lawton MP, Brody EM. Assessment of older people: self-maintaining and instrumental activities of daily living. Gerontologist. 1969;9(3):179-186. doi:10.1093/geront/9.3_Part_1.179
Frequently asked questions
What is Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living?
Assesses independence in eight instrumental activities of daily living. Functional assessment of older adults and adults with chronic disease affecting instrumental activities.
How is the result calculated?
Add 1 point for each activity performed without help among those applicable to the sex; the maximum is 8 for women and 5 for men.
How should the result be interpreted?
Scale developed to assess maintenance of instrumental activities in older adults, with items chosen for functional relevance.
What are the sources?
Lawton MP, Brody EM. Assessment of older people: self-maintaining and instrumental activities of daily living. Gerontologist. 1969;9(3):179-186.