Monitoring functional status in hospitalized older adults.

UNLABELLED: The Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living can help nurses detect subtle changes in health and prevent functional decline. OVERVIEW: Created 45 years ago, the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living has shown itself to be an important tool in measuring an older adult's capacity to care for her- or himself. When a nurse using the tool notes a diminishment in the patient's ability to perform any of six activities-bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, transferring, or remaining continent-further assessment may uncover a reversible cause, such as a chronic or acute condition requiring treatment. A video demonstrating the use of the Katz index is available for free online at http://links.lww.com/A241.