The Functional Independence Measure (FIM)

The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) is a tool used by healthcare professionals to assess an individual’s ability to perform daily activities independently. It evaluates areas such as self-care (feeding, bathing, dressing), mobility (walking, transfers), communication, and social cognition. Each task is scored to reflect level of independence, helping to identify strengths and areas needing assistance. The FIM is useful for planning treatment, tracking progress over time, and determining care needs, especially for people recovering from injury, illness, or surgery. It provides a standardized way to measure and support a person’s functional abilities.