This scale was developed as an objective means of documenting a patient’s clinical decline by assessing ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Most patients with a Karnofsky scale lower than 70% are eligible for hospice care.
| Description of Function/Activities/Needs |
Index |
| Normal, no complaints; no evidence of disease |
100% |
| Able to carry on normal activity; minor signs of disease |
90% |
| Normal activity with effort; some signs of symptoms of disease |
80% |
| Cares for self; unable to carry on normal activity or to do active work |
70% |
| Requires occasional assistance but is able to care for most of own needs |
60% |
| Requires considerable assistance with ADLs and frequent medical care |
50% |
| Disabled; requires special care and maximum assistance |
40% |
| Severely disabled, although death not imminent |
30% |
| Gravely ill; unable to swallow; totally dependent |
20% |
| Actively dying |
10% |
| Death |
0% |
|
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