What is the best indicator of whether an individual will need nursing home placement?

The best indicator of whether an individual will need nursing home placement is dependence in activities of daily living (ADLs). ADLs are routine tasks essential for day-to-day living, which include eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, and mobility. If a person has difficulty performing these activities independently, they may require assistance that can typically be provided in a nursing facility.

While age, social support, and medical history can influence the need for nursing home care, they do not provide the direct insight into the individual’s functional abilities that ADL dependence does. For example, an elderly person might have significant social support and good medical health but may still be unable to perform basic self-care tasks, indicating a higher need for institutional care. Additionally, someone with a chronic condition may have adequate social support and even be young, yet still require assistance with daily functions, underscoring the primary importance of ADL dependence in assessing the need for nursing home placement.