What is the Katz Index (Activities of daily living scale)?

The Katz Index, also called the Katz the team of the team Living Scale, is a clinical assessment tool that scores functional independence in basic personal care tasks. It was developed in 1963 and remains one of the most widely used instruments in geriatric care settings across the United States.

The scale evaluates six core activities: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring (moving between bed and chair), continence (bladder and bowel control), and feeding. Each activity receives a score based on whether the person performs it independently, requires assistance, or cannot do it at all. The tool produces an overall score that helps care teams determine whether someone can live alone, needs part-time support, or requires full-time supervision.

For assisted living facilities and home care agencies, the Katz Index serves a practical purpose during intake assessments. A resident or client's score directly informs care planning, staffing decisions, and the types of support services needed. Someone scoring high on independence may need only medication management and meal preparation help, while lower scores indicate needs for personal hygiene assistance, mobility support, or round-the-clock monitoring.

The index is also used to track changes in function over time. Scores can improve with rehabilitation or decline due to illness or age-related changes, signaling whether current care arrangements remain appropriate. Assisted living providers rely on this objective measure to match residents with the right service level and to communicate clearly with families and medical professionals about functional status.