Toimintakykynsä

Toimintakykynsä is the Finnish term used to describe a person’s functional capacity—their ability to perform activities of daily living and to participate in work, education, and social life. The concept combines physical, cognitive, psychological, and social functioning and is influenced by health status, environment, and personal factors. In Finnish healthcare and social welfare, toimintakyky is central to assessing a person’s needs and the level of support required. The framework aligns with the idea that functioning and disability arise from the interaction between health conditions and contextual factors, a notion reflected in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Practically, toimintakyky covers self-care tasks (such as dressing, feeding, washing), mobility (transfers, walking), and instrumental activities (managing finances, using transportation, managing medications). It also includes participation in activities and roles that are meaningful to the individual. The concept emphasizes not only what a person can do, but how environmental barriers or supports—such as assistive devices, caregiver help, or accessible services—affect functioning.

Assessment of toimintakyky, or toimintakyvyn arviointi, is used in rehabilitation planning, disability benefits, and social services. Health professionals may employ standardized scales that measure activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental ADL (IADL), or performance-based tests to gauge independence and track changes over time. Because it is dynamic and context-dependent, planning typically focuses on enabling environments and supports to improve functioning, alongside management of the underlying health condition.