Lawton–Brody Scale
A validated instrument assessing an older adult's ability to perform eight instrumental activities of daily living, providing a measure of higher-order functional independence.
Full Definition
The Lawton–Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Scale, developed by M. Powell Lawton and Elaine Brody in 1969, evaluates competence in telephone use, shopping, food preparation, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, medication management, and financial management. Scores range from 0 (low function) to 8 (high function), with gender-differentiated norms in some versions. In geriatric rehabilitation, the scale helps establish premorbid function and discharge planning goals. Editors must hyphenate the eponym correctly ('Lawton–Brody') using an en dash between the two surnames, not a hyphen; this is a common typographic error. The scale assesses instrumental rather than basic ADLs and should not be substituted for tools measuring personal care.
Usage
Usage note: Use an en dash (–) between 'Lawton' and 'Brody', not a hyphen (-). Clarify whether the 5-item or 8-item version is being used when documenting scores.
In Context
- "The Lawton–Brody Scale score of 4/8 indicated that the patient required assistance with shopping, meal preparation, and medication management prior to her hospital admission." — Occupational therapy assessment report
- "Editors should verify that the Lawton–Brody Scale is not cited in place of the Katz Index when basic ADLs are being discussed." — Editorial style guide for geriatric rehabilitation documents