The Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Scale Calculator is a practical and easy-to-use online tool that helps evaluate a person's ability to perform fundamental daily self-care activities. These activities are the basic building blocks of independent living and include essential tasks such as maintaining personal hygiene, getting dressed, using the toilet, moving around, managing continence, and feeding oneself.
The ADL scale is commonly used by caregivers, healthcare providers, and family members to assess the level of assistance a person may need in their everyday life. It can be especially helpful when evaluating elderly individuals, people recovering from surgery or injury, or those with physical or cognitive disabilities. The calculator provides a clear, step-by-step form that allows users to rate each activity based on the level of independence—autonomous, partial aid, or dependent.
Once all sections are completed, the calculator generates a score that reflects the person’s overall functional status. A higher score indicates greater independence, while a lower score suggests a higher need for support. This result can guide decisions related to caregiving, home assistance, or further medical evaluation.
Whether you are a concerned family member or a professional in the health or social care field, this tool offers a quick and reliable way to better understand someone’s daily functioning and to plan the appropriate level of care.
The ADL Scale Calculator is designed for a wide range of users who want to evaluate a person's ability to carry out everyday self-care tasks. It is especially helpful for those who are responsible for monitoring or supporting individuals with health challenges, mobility limitations, or age-related conditions.
This tool is useful for:
Whether you’re caring for someone at home or working in a professional healthcare setting, the ADL Scale Calculator can provide valuable insights that support better care decisions and quality of life.
Using the ADL Scale Calculator is simple and only takes a few minutes. The tool is structured around six key areas of daily living: personal hygiene, dressing, bathroom use, locomotion, continence, and meals. Each category contains three response options that reflect the person’s level of independence.
Follow these steps:
The higher the score, the more independent the person is. The maximum possible score is 6, which indicates full autonomy in all activities. A lower score signals a greater need for support or supervision in everyday life.
The ADL Scale Calculator evaluates six essential areas of daily life. Understanding each section helps ensure accurate results and provides insight into the types of support a person may need. Below is a breakdown of what each section measures.
This section assesses whether the individual can maintain basic hygiene, such as brushing teeth, washing the face, and grooming. It reflects the ability to care for one’s appearance independently.
This section measures the ability to choose appropriate clothing, get dressed, and put on shoes. It considers both decision-making and physical ability.
This section evaluates whether the person can go to the toilet, undress, and dress again independently. It includes physical access and functional control.
This section looks at the ability to move around independently, whether walking or using mobility aids. It helps assess whether the person can get out of bed, move around the home, and perform routine tasks.
This section assesses control over bladder and bowel functions. It determines whether the person can maintain continence during the day and night.
This section checks whether the person can eat independently, including tasks like using utensils, cutting food, or peeling fruit. It reflects both motor skills and coordination.
After completing all six sections of the ADL Scale Calculator, the tool will automatically generate a score based on your selected answers. Each activity is scored on a scale from 0 to 1:
The calculator adds up the points from all six sections, giving a final score that ranges from 0 to 6. This score provides a quick overview of the person's ability to manage daily tasks independently.
Your final score from the ADL Scale Calculator gives an overall picture of how independently a person can perform basic daily self-care activities. Each point earned represents an area where the person can function with little or no help. Understanding the result can help you plan for care, support, or lifestyle adjustments.
These results are meant to guide you in understanding current needs—not to replace medical or professional advice. If the score suggests a level of dependence, consider discussing it with a healthcare provider or social worker to explore appropriate care options.
The ADL score is more than just a number—it’s a helpful guide for making informed decisions about daily living support, caregiving needs, and long-term planning. Whether you’re using it for yourself, a loved one, or someone in your care, the score can help you understand what kind of assistance is required and how to organize it effectively.
ADL stands for "Activities of Daily Living." These are the basic tasks people do every day to take care of themselves, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and using the toilet.
Anyone can use this tool—caregivers, healthcare professionals, family members, or individuals who want to assess their own or someone else's ability to perform daily self-care tasks. It’s especially useful for monitoring elderly individuals or those recovering from illness or injury.
No. The ADL score is not a medical diagnosis. It is a helpful guide that provides insight into how independently a person can manage daily tasks. For a full assessment, it’s best to consult a healthcare provider.
You can use it as often as needed—especially if you notice changes in someone's behavior, physical ability, or mental state. Regular use can help track progress or identify early signs of decline.
A low score may suggest the person needs more support in daily life. Consider discussing the results with a healthcare provider, occupational therapist, or social worker to explore care options, safety improvements, or rehabilitation strategies.
This calculator is designed primarily for adults, especially older adults or those with medical conditions. For children or teens with special needs, a pediatric assessment tool would be more appropriate.
No personal information is collected or stored when using the ADL Scale Calculator. Your results are calculated in real-time on your device and are not shared with anyone.
The ADL Scale Calculator is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or personal care needs.
This tool is designed to provide a general overview of an individual's functional abilities based on self-reported or observed information. While it can be helpful in identifying care needs and supporting decision-making, it does not replace a comprehensive assessment by a medical or healthcare professional.
The creators of this calculator do not collect, store, or share any personal data entered into the form. Use of this tool is entirely at your own discretion, and any actions taken based on the results are your responsibility.
If you are concerned about the well-being or safety of someone in your care—or your own abilities—please consult a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional.