Self-care skills: behavioral measurement with Klein-Bell ADL scale.

A scale for measuring activities of daily living (ADL) functioning is described and reviewed. Teh Klein-Bell ADL Scale has been empirically constructed to yield a score of independent functioning for research and clinical purposes. Interrater reliability is 92%, even without extensive training in the use of the scale. Validity was measured by correlating ADL scores at discharge with hours/weeks of assistance (physical, verbal cueing, and type) received 5 to 10 months postdischarge; correlation was -0.86 (p less than 0.01), indicating that persons with low ADL scores receive much assistance, and that the amount of assistance received decreases steadily as the ADL score increases. Further research applications are suggested.