To construct a scoring system for assessing intrinsic capacity in older adults, thus to provide scientific guidance on defining the intrinsic capacity among older adults.

Adopting the theoretical concepts from previous research on healthy aging, the primary set of indexes is constructed through literature analysis. And the content of intrinsic capacity evaluation index system for older adults is determined through Delphi experts consultation. The weighted values of the evaluation indexes are established by the analytic hierarchy process.

Eighteen experts were selected and invited for correspondence consultation. The effective recovery rates of the questionnaires were 88.89% and 93.75%, the expert authority coefficients were 0.882 and 0.900, and the Kendall harmony coefficients were 0.225 and 0.227. After a two-rounded Delphi experts consultation involving 18 experts, an intrinsic capacity evaluation index system for older adults was established, including five first level indexes and 14 secondary indexes. The weights of primary indicators were as follows: cognitive function (0.310), mobility (0.184), vision and hearing (0.183), psycho-social (0.172), and vitality (0.151). The corresponding secondary indicators of cognitive function were time and spatial orientation (0.116), memory (0.072), language ability (0.064), calculate ability (0.058). The corresponding secondary indicators of vision and hearing were visual impairment (0.091), hearing impairment (0.091).The weights of the secondary indicators corresponding to mobility were movement restriction (0.107) and fall risk (0.076). The corresponding secondary index weights of psycho-social were subjective perceived social isolation (0.067), loss of interest (0.056), and depressed (0.050). The corresponding secondary indicators of vitality were malnutrition (0.062), oral frailty (0.050), loss of appetite (0.040).

A comprehensive evaluation index for the intrinsic capacity of the older adults was established, which provides the scheme for comprehensive evaluation of the intrinsic capacity of the older adults, and provides possibility for early intervention based on comprehensive evaluation in the older adults.