Lawton IADL Scale — Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
8-domain rating of instrumental activities of daily living (Lawton & Brody 1969). Each domain scores 1 or 0 by the level described; total 0 (dependent) to 8 (independent). Score all 8 domains for both men and women (the original scored men on 5). There are no published cut-offs — track change over time.
Score interpretation
Lawton IADL 8/8.
→ No additional support indicated. Routine review.
Lawton IADL < 8 — lower scores mean greater dependence; there is no published severity cut-off.
→ Comprehensive geriatric assessment. OT review for kitchen/medication/transport adaptations; day-care, befriending services; screen cognition (AMTS / 6-CIT / MoCA); with many domains lost, a care package, capacity / power-of-attorney discussion and carer assessment.
Interpretation bands for the Lawton IADL. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Falls Assessment in Older Adults · NICE CG161 2013
- Delirium Outside ICU · NICE CG103
- Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) · BGS / NICE
- Delirium Assessment and Management · NICE CG103 2010
- Frailty Recognition and Management · BGS Frailty Framework / NHS NHSE
- Polypharmacy and Medicines Optimisation · STOPP/START v2 2014 / NICE NG5
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.
