Title of Assessment
Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills (KELS) 4th edition
Author(s)
Linda Kohlman Thomson & Regi Robnett
Year of Publication/Publisher
2016
AOTA Press
Identify Type of Assessment
observation based
criterion-referenced
standardized
occupation-based
criterion-referenced
Cost (identify source) & How to Access Assessment (include link if possible)
AOTA member- $99
non-member- $140
Population (who it is appropriate for [age, diagnosis, etc.])
older adult, brain injury, cognitive disabilities (Alzheimer's and Dementia), mental health conditions
may be used with older adolescent and young adults as well to assess life skills in community-based programs and residential youth programs.
neurological conditions
Appropriate Settings (potential practice settings appropriate to administer assessment in)
acute care hospitals for discharge planning, home health, outpatient, community-based settings
Purpose of Assessment & Function(s)/Area(s) Assessed
This is used to determine the independence a person has when looking at ADLs, cognition, communication, life participation, and occupational performance. Then an OT can make recommendations for appropriate living situations
Alongside ADLs, IADLs, health management, leisure, employment, cognition/communication, and occupational performance in these areas of occupation
Administration (time to administer, group/individual, if there are subtests, can they be completed individually, are there specific instructions to ensure standardization, etc.)
Tests 13 living skills in 5 areas: self-care, safety and health, money management, community mobility and telephone, and employment and leisure participation. Approximately 45 minutes. OT easily assembles materials required and easily fills out KELS score form as evaluation progresses.
User Qualifications
Occupational Therapist or any health professional
Materials Required
KELS flash drive, reading/writing form, pen/pencil, household situation pictures, telephone boo, cell phone, tablet/notebook/laptop/personal computer, toothbrush, deck of cards, 5 $1 bills, 1 quarter, 1 dime, 1 nickel, 2 pennies, Utility Bill with current due date, erasable pen, check form, envelope, money order form, nickel bank information card, rock power & light information card, landline telephone, sample recorded message card, KELS score form
Scoring Procedure (how is assessment scored and what does score indicate)
Each item is scored, then the OT uses their critical thinking to make in-home recommendations to support the appropriate living situation the client needs to be successful.
The scoring is based on 17 questions and can be observed, or patients report through interview questions. The score is rated as “needs assistance” or “independent”
Total score of 6 to 17= needs assistance to live in the community
Total score of 5.5 or less = capable of living independently
Psychometrics/Standardization (norms, reliability/validity studies)
Early study's interrater reliability was 74-98% (adequate to high)
Early validity of the KELS when comparing people living in a halfway house to those living independently had mixed results
Strengths & Weaknesses of Assessment
strengths
can be applied to a wide range of clients, valid, easy to follow, takes about 30-45 minutes to administer, and not too costly.
Weaknesses
should be avoided in individuals are frequently change locations, look at a few specific situations and get a general evaluation.
it is not all culturally relevant like writing checks and dealing with banking
References
Thomson, L. K., & Robnett, R. (2016). KELS: Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills. AOTA Press.
Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills | RehabMeasures Database (sralab.org)