Objectives: To investigate the ability of the ADL-staircase to predict mortality among older people receiving long-term formal health care and service.

Method: This study comprises 626 respondents. Data were collected for 2 cohorts.

Results: Crude mortality rate ranged between 9% and 23%. Higher scores on the ADL-staircase significantly increased the risk of mortality (RR = 1.253). For the total sample, Youden's index suggested a cutoff value of 6 for mortality on the ADL-staircase. A cutoff value of 4 was suggested for those living at home and 7 for those in special accommodation. Regression analysis, using these cutoff values, showed a significant association with mortality.

Conclusion: Knowledge of how to use the ADL-staircase as a mortality predictor is limited. This study not only found a cutoff point for the total sample but also when grouped by type of housing. The findings may be useful when allocating care and service and when providing preventive interventions and palliative care. © 2011 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.