How to estimate activity of daily living in demented patients

Koichi Kozaki

Department of Geriatric Medicine, Kyorin University School of Medicine

　　Cognitive dysfunction such as memory impairment and disorientation is an early feature of dementia.　In later stage, functional decline of activities of daily living (ADL) is manifested.　Impairment of ADL will lead to bed-ridden status and require long-term care service.　Therefore, in treating demented patients, measuring ADL as well as cognitive function, mood, and volition/vitality, is necessary, and it is better performed regularly.　There are many ways to measure ADL.　Among all, instrumental ADL and basic ADL are simple and helpful to evaluate patient's dependency.　If ADL impairment is found in the early stage of dementia, preventive measure against further functional decline will be introduced the earlier.

Address correspondence to Dr. Koichi Kozaki, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Kyorin University School of Medicine(6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan)