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Purpose/Background: Preexisting comorbid conditions, physiologic changes associated with normal aging, and medical interventions commonly received during an intensive care unit (ICU) stay are factors believed to elevate older adults' risk of poor outcomes. While believed to be an important prognostic indicator, few studies to date have explored the role preadmission functional ability has on critically ill older adults' outcomes. The purpose of this study was to describe older adults' ability to perform basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL) prior to an ICU admission. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of data from the parent study Reiki Intervention for Seriously Ill Elders in the ICU. The sample included 38 adults who were admitted to an ICU, age 55 or older, diagnosed with acute respiratory failure, and within 72 hours of initiation of mechanical ventilation or high-flow oxygen therapy. The Katz Index of Independence in ADL and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scales were used to assess the participants' abilities to perform basic and instrumental ADLs independently two weeks prehospitalization. The Katz scale focuses on six core ADLs (bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding), rating the participant from 0 (completely dependent) to 6 (completely independent). The Lawton Instrumental ADL assesses eight common household tasks such as using the telephone, doing laundry, and handling finances, ranking them from 0 (lowest functioning) to 8 (highest functioning). Higher cumulative score indicates a greater level of independence. Measures were completed by the patients' family members because patients were sedated. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The mean age of the 34 participants was 66.9 years (SD=5.3). Most participants were male (61.8%), white (73.5%), not currently employed (82.4%), and had at least a high school diploma (88.2%). Most (69.2%) were living in their own home and with a spouse (73.5%) prior to hospital admission. The mean Katz Index score was 5.03/6 (SD=1.66). Most participants were independent with dressing, bathing, and continence (76.5%), toileting and transferring (88.2%), and feeding (97.1%). The mean Lawton IADL score was 6.15/8 (SD=2.24). Most participants were independent with shopping (61.8%), laundry (67.6%), preparing food (70.6%), transportation (70.6%), housekeeping (79.4%), taking medications (79.4%), and handling finances (85.3%). Conclusion: Of the older adults participating in this study, scores indicate that most had moderate to high levels of independence prior to admission to the ICU.