*This assessment review was compiled by our students and is intended to be used as a guide in assisting clinicians.
We
encourage you to review the evaluations and assessments for yourself to guarantee the most accurate and updated
information.
I. General Information
Title of the test: The Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills (KELS)
Author: Linda Kohlman Thomson, MOT, OTR, OT(C), FAOTA
Publisher: American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
Time required to administer: Administered individually and lasts 30-45 minutes
Cost of the Test: The booklet is $45 on the AOTA website
II. Description of Test
Type/Purpose of Test: An evaluation to determine an individual’s ability to function with basic life skills. Living skills are
tested in the areas of: self care, safety, health, money management, transportation, telephone, work and leisure. Upon
completion the therapist can recommend living situations that allow clients to function as independently as possible. The
goal is to integrate the client into their environment.
Population: Originally designed for short-term inpatient psychiatric use. Now applicable to acute care, geriatrics, and
individuals with cognitive disabilities, or brain injuries.
Focus of measurement:
___ Organic systems _X_ Abilities _X_ Participation/life habits _X_ Environmental Factors
III. Practical Administration
Ease of Administration: This test is easy to give. It is initially recommended to put together a notebook with the needed
equipment in divider pockets. Upon administration the therapist would need the notebook, local phone book(s), and a
telephone.
Clarity of Directions: Directions are in administration manual. A clear outline of what to say and do as the administrator is
given throughout in bold writing. The different aspects of evaluation are outlined including: method, equipment,
administration, alternate administration method, and scoring.
Scoring Procedures: In each area client scores either “independent” or “need assistance”. There are specific guidelines on
each aspect to determine which they scored. An overall score sheet is filled out with each of the aspects marked. Additional
information is noted by the administrator such as client’s orientation, attention span, time management, memory and figure
ground skills.
Interpretation: Each aspect marked as needing assistance is scored as 1 point with some exceptions. A score of 5 ½ or
less represents that the client is capable to live independently. If the score is 6 or higher the client needs assistance to live
in the community. Depending on the aspects the client needs assistance with depends on what type and where to get
assistance. For example if the client needs assistance with money management and food a halfway house could be a good
fit. But if the client needs assistance with health and safety a nursing facility may be better.
Examiner Qualification & Training: Manual refers to an occupational therapist as administering the test but does not
specify qualifications.
IV. Technical Considerations
Standardization: ____ Norms _X_ Criterion Referenced ____ Other
Reliability: Inter-rater reliability in an early study ranged from .74- .94 agreement. Subsequent studies reported by the
author used minor changes in procedure and yield high agreement (0.84, .94, .94, .98, 1.0)
Validity: High correlations of r=.70 with Functional Independence Measure and Mini Mental State Exam; r=.895 with the
Routine Task Inventory; r=.84 with The Bay Area Functional Performance Evaluation; and Global Assessment Scale r=.78
to .89 with p<.001
Manual: Adequate
What is (are) the setting/s that you would anticipate using this assessment?
Not suggested in settings with long length of stays due to the consideration that the client’s daily life resources have
changed dramatically
Summary of strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths:
Listed under Medicaid and Medicare’s approved evaluations
Very applicable to OT
Addresses variety of important aspects of daily living
Weakness:
Visual problems could be misleading in test score.
This test is not sufficient to make a diagnosis or to create a treatment plan- need to incorporate other tests and
evaluations.
Published in 1992 so it is not current
Cultural bias
Manual does not list technical considerations
