Care assessment tools · Updated October 2026
Dependency score calculator
Slide each activity to score dependency on the Barthel Index, Katz ADL Index, Lawton IADL Scale or Northwick Park Dependency Score. The gauge and charts update as you go, showing the total, dependency level and where help is needed.
For guidance only. Dependency scores support, but do not replace, professional assessment. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.
How to use the dependency score calculator
- 1Choose a scalePick the tool your service uses, or the one that fits the person’s needs.
- 2Slide each activityMove each slider to what the person actually does now. Left is most dependent, right is most independent.
- 3Read the chartsThe gauge shows the total, the band strip shows the dependency level, and the radar chart shows where help is needed.
- 4Copy to your recordsCopy the summary into the care plan and set a date to reassess.
Which dependency scale should you use?
Barthel Index
10 activities of daily living, scored 0–100. Widely used in care homes, hospitals and stroke care to measure physical dependency.
Katz ADL Index
6 basic activities scored independent or dependent, 0–6. Quick to complete and common in older people’s care.
Lawton IADL Scale
8 skills for living independently, scored 0–8. Useful for home care, supported living and assessing early decline.
Northwick Park Dependency Score
Basic care and special nursing needs, scored 0–100. Used mainly in rehabilitation to measure care and nursing time.
Barthel Index scoring guide
| Barthel score | Dependency level |
|---|---|
| 100 | Independent |
| 91–99 | Slight dependency |
| 61–90 | Moderate dependency |
| 21–60 | Severe dependency |
| 0–20 | Total dependency |
Bands follow Shah and colleagues (1989). Some services use slightly different cut-offs, so follow your local policy.
Katz ADL and Lawton IADL scoring
| Scale | Items | Range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katz ADL Index | Bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, feeding | 0–6 | 6 is full function, 4 moderate impairment, 2 or less severe impairment. |
| Lawton IADL Scale | Telephone, shopping, food preparation, housekeeping, laundry, transport, medication, finances | 0–8 | 8 is independent. Lower scores mean more help. There is no fixed cut-off. |
Northwick Park Dependency Score (NPDS)
The NPDS measures how much care and nursing time a person needs. It is split into basic care needs (0–65), such as mobility, washing and continence, and special nursing needs (0–35), such as tracheostomy care or tube feeding. Higher scores mean more dependency.
The full NPDS form has its own detailed scoring rules, so this calculator asks for your subscale totals rather than repeating the form. Complete the official form, then enter the totals above.
Using dependency scores for care home staffing
- Score every resident with the same tool so you can compare across the home and over time.
- Rising dependency is an early sign that staffing may need to change.
- Turn total dependency into care hours, then check your care hours per resident per day (CHPRD).
- Share results with the person and their family, and record them in the care plan.
Assumptions and caveats
- Score what the person actually does, not what they could do or used to do.
- Barthel uses the 0–100 version. Some services use a 0–20 version: divide by 5 to convert.
- Lawton uses all 8 items for everyone. Older versions scored some items only for women.
- Katz, Lawton and NPDS bands shown are a guide. Follow your organisation’s policy.
- These tools are not diagnostic. Always use professional judgement.
Frequently asked questions about dependency scores
What is a dependency score?
A dependency score measures how much help a person needs with everyday activities or nursing care. Care homes, hospitals and community teams use dependency scores to plan care, track changes and decide staffing levels.
How do you calculate a Barthel Index score?
Score 10 activities, from feeding to stairs, based on what the person actually does. Add the points for a total out of 100. A score of 100 means independent, and lower scores mean more dependency.
What is a normal Barthel score?
100 is the maximum and means the person is independent in all 10 activities. A common guide is 91–99 slight dependency, 61–90 moderate, 21–60 severe and 0–20 total dependency.
What is the difference between Katz ADL and Lawton IADL?
The Katz Index covers basic self-care such as bathing, dressing and feeding. The Lawton IADL Scale covers more complex skills for living independently, such as shopping, cooking, managing medication and money.
What is the Northwick Park Dependency Score?
The NPDS measures the care and nursing time a person needs, mainly in rehabilitation. It has two parts: basic care needs (0–65) and special nursing needs (0–35), giving a total out of 100. Higher scores mean more dependency.
Which dependency scale should a care home use?
The Barthel Index is widely used for physical dependency. Many homes add Lawton IADL for people living more independently, or use a provider-specific dependency tool. Use the same tool consistently so scores can be compared over time.
How often should dependency be reassessed?
Reassess when a person moves in, after any change such as illness, a fall or a hospital stay, and at regular reviews set by your care planning policy.
Can a dependency score set staffing levels?
It can help. Total dependency across residents shows how much care is needed, which you can then turn into care hours. Use it alongside professional judgement, residents’ wishes and the layout of your home.