M1820 — Current Ability to Dress Lower Body
Response options, how to score it, and the error that most often sends the record back. Cited to Ch. 3, Item M1820.
Response options
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | Able to obtain, put on, and remove clothing and shoes without assistance |
| 1 | Able to dress lower body without assistance if clothing and shoes are laid out or handed to the patient |
| 2 | Someone must help the patient put on undergarments, slacks, socks or nylons, and shoes |
| 3 | Patient depends entirely upon another person to dress lower body |
How to score it
Observation/demonstration is the preferred method, backed by patient/caregiver interview and environmental assessment. Assess the ability to obtain, put on, and remove whatever lower-body clothing (undergarments, slacks, socks/nylons, shoes) is routinely worn; lower-body prosthetics/orthotics (leg prosthesis, ankle-foot orthosis, anti-embolism stockings) count as dressing items. If ability varies, enter the response describing ability more than 50% of the time period under consideration.
The common error
Not counting routinely worn orthotic or prosthetic devices (AFO, anti-embolism stockings) as part of the dressing task, which understates the assistance actually required to complete lower body dressing.
Source: OASIS-E2 Guidance Manual — Ch. 3, Item M1820. Verified 2026-04-26.
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