Keeping Up With The KELS

Madison Ihrke, OTS Meghan OHara, OTS Alexandria Vinelli, OTS Melissa Wawrzyniak, OTS Jodi Schreiber, OTD, OTR/L, C/NDT

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Purpose
Identify the changes made to the KELS from the to the 3 4
edition, and determine if the updates provide occupational therapy
(OT) practitioners with more comprehensive information when discharge planning for older adults.

Background Literature Review

The Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills Existing research on the 3rd edition
(KELS) evaluates an individual's ability to supports it as a tool to assess safety and
perform ADLs and IADLs in the areas of independence during discharge planning
self-care, safety and health, money (Kielhofner, 2006). Limited evidence exists on
management, transportation and telephone the 4th edition.
use, and work/leisure (Kohlman-Thomson, 1992).
Strong concurrent and criterion validity was
The KELS is a well-established tool used in found with the 3rd edition when compared
discharge planning to help determine an to the SAH, FIM, specific sections of the
individuals safety and independence. RTI, and the MMSE (Robnett et al., 2016;
Zimnavoda, Weinblatt, & Katz, 2002).
The 3rd edition was updated to modernize
the tool to meet todays societal needs. The KELS was used as a benchmark test in
several studies, supporting the use of the 3rd
The 4th edition was released in 2016. edition as a well-established tool (Robnett et
al., 2016).

Clinical Relevance Results & Future Research

The population of adults aged 65 and older is expected to reach 83.7 million by 2050 65% of respondents that reported only using the 3rd
(Ortman, Velkoff, & Hogan, 2014). th
edition were not aware that the 4 edition was
Many older adults want to remain living independently in their homes (AARP, 2014). released.
As individuals age, changes in cognition and physical functioning may occur (Burnett, Dyer,
& Naik, 2009). 91% of respondents who have used both editions of the
The KELS can be used to assess how these changes impact an individuals ability to live KELS prefer to use the 4th edition.
safely and independently.
Regarding the changes made to the 3rd
edition, in
general, respondents were dissatisfied with the absence
Survey Summary of a total score and satisfied with the online banking
An online survey was distributed to OT practitioners to explore awareness and usage of and updated safety photos.
the KELS. Respondents who have used both editions of the KELS rated their satisfaction Our survey results indicated that the most common
rd
levels on the changes made to the 3 edition.
9
assessments used in conjunction with the KELS were
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the MMSE, MoCA, and FIM.
7
With further investigation, the 4th edition could
NUMBER OF PEOPLE

Safety Photos
6
become a well-supported and widely-used tool to guide
Total Score
5
discharge planning.
4 Online Banking
3

Extremely Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied Neutral Somewhat Disatisfied Extremely Disatisfied