OriginalArticle Utility of an ADL Index for Institutionalized El erly People : Examining Possible Applications for Independent Elderly People Shinichi DEMURAi , Susumu SAT 02 and Masaki MINAMI

The purpose of this study vvas to clarify the application range and utility of an ADL illdex for disabled elderly peeple (Demura et al., 2000), by examining the ADL characteristics of an elderly population when this index was ftpplied to disabled and independent elderly people. Subjects ofthis study were 697 Japanese institutionalized disabled elderly people and 482 independent elderly people (ID) living at home. Disabled elderly people were classified into four groups based on conditio]s of use of assisting devices for moyement; Dl did not use assisting deyices; D2 used a stick or a walker; D3 used a wheelchair; D4 was immebile. From the findings of comparing achievement proportions, ADL score and the distribution f total scere among elderly greups, it was suggested that this ADL index can assess gradually from disabled e]derly people who cannot move to independent elderly people. Since this index classifies independent elderly people and disabled elderly people with high probability, it can evalllate if elderly people can maintain a functio"al level needed for independent living, and can recognize the symptoms of disability. Furthermore, this study proposed usefu1 activities to discriminate the functional level for each elderly group. Although it is important to comprehensive]y assess ADL abruty, further llse ofthis ADL index to discriminate the functional level of an elderly populatien, by making use of these usefu1 activities, is expected.