[Characteristics of each activity domain comprising ADL for partially dependent older adults]

The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of each activity domain which make up activities of daily living (ADL). We used the ADL index with a unidimensional scale for partially dependent older adults, and examined the distribution of the ADL score and self-evaluation of health and physical fitness. There were 466 subjects from age 60 to 98 (132 male, 81.7 +/- 8.22 years; 334 female, 82.5 +/- 7.25 years). Seventeen items representing 7 domains (holding and changing the posture of the body, dressing, toilet usage, bathing, manual activity, walking, and locomotion and carrying) were selected as ADL items. Each item was measured on a dichotomous scale. A questionnaire consisting of 17 ADL items and two questions concerning self-evaluation of health and physical fitness were administered on subjects by institutional therapists (OT, PT, nurse, social worker). An examination of the cumulative relative frequency distribution curve of total score showed that ADL scores of all domains can be used to assess ADL achievement ability level with a wide range from low to high level. It is inferred that the total score will be low when the score is low for holding and changing body-posture, toilet usage and manual activity. On the other hand, it will be high when the score is high for dressing and walking. ADL abilities for all domains also tended to be higher in persons with higher perceptual levels of health and physical fitness.