Functional Capacity Assessments
Assessing one’s function in performing Activities of Daily Living (ADL) is a critical component in determining their independence and, more importantly, what level of support and/or assistance they may require to perform those activities from day to day. At Living to the Max Occupational Therapy, we have extensive experience in undertaking functional capacity assessments, including the use of standardised assessments tools such as the Functional Independence Measure (FIM).
Experience. That’s our difference.
A functional capacity assessment can vary in its complexity and scope but generally the assessment analyses a client’s functional performance in the areas of personal self-care and general activities in and around the home and in the community.
Detailed assessments and reports can be done for any form of incapacity in relation to a wide range of issuesorcircumstances. Theseinclude:
- Those with permanent physical and/or intellectual disabilities
- Motor accident victims
- Those who have experienced professional negligence
- Public liability claims
- Work-related injury or illness claims
- Immigration requirements
What’s involved in the assessment?
Our Occupational Therapist will meet you at your home at an agreed time in order to review your usual living activities. Where able, you will be asked to demonstrate how you undertake a range of tasks commonly performed in and around the home.
Where a standardised assessment is required, such as the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), a majority of our OTs are FIM credentialled and are highly experienced in its use.
The FIM instrument is a basic indicator of the severity of one’s disability. It comprises 18 items, each of which is assessed against a seven-point ordinal scale, where the higher the score for an item, the more independently the client is able to perform the tasks assessed by that item. Total scores range from 18 to 126.
The items are divided into two major groups, the Motor items, of which there are 13, and the Cognitive Items, of which there are 5. The rating scale designates major graduations in behaviour from dependence to independence. The scale provides for the classification of individuals by their ability to carry out an activity independently, versus their need for assistance from another person or a device. If help is needed the scale assesses the degree of that need.
The Assessment
In summary, the assessment identifies your:
- Level of independence
- Pre-injury and post-injury status (if applicable)
- Ability to perform tasks
- Capacity to fulfill pre-injury roles (if applicable)
- Any requirements for care
- Any requirements for assistive technology/aids, equipment or home modifications
The status of the client is assessed through:
- Observation of performance of selected activities
- Assessment of the environment (eg. home, work, school)
- Interview with the client (and carer/s where possible)
- Available medical opinion, including medical records
The Report
The Occupational Therapy Assessment report addresses the questions posed in the referral instructions and analysis of function in areas such as:
- Personal care
- Domestic duties
- Need for referral relating to vocational ability, education and/or training needs
- Capacity to care for others (eg. dependents, children)
- Community access ( eg. driving, transport, shopping, attending medical appointments and participating in community activites)
- Living skills (eg. ability to manage own affairs)
- Ability to engage in social activities
Consideration is also given to past and/or future requirements.
The Recommendations
Recommendations are aimed at maximising a person’s level of functional independence. Recommendations may include:
- Future therapy, treatment and/or rehabilitation needs
- Assistive technology/aids or equipment including type, cost, supply and maintenance
- Home modifications to enhance independence, mobility and access or alternative accommodation options
- Vehicle modifications and requirements, transport funding or licensing
- Care requirements including domestic assistance, attendant care, nursing care etc
Our Services
Assistive Technology/Aids
Home Modifications
Supported Accommodation Assessments
We can determine your support & accommodation needs, including Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) needs.
Wheelchair seating & postural assessments
SA's leading expert in posture management & seating for those with complex disabilities & spinal injuries.
Manual person transfer assessments & plans
Pressure care management
We can help with the prevention & management of pressure ulcers.
Hospital Discharge Planning
Neurological Rehabilitation & Therapy
OHSW
We specialise in manual handling, carer training & disability access for businesses & commercial settings
Functional Capacity Assessments
We can assess your ability to function from day to day & prepare a plan to maximise your independence.
Therapy Clinic
A full range of assessment & therapy services are available in-clinic. Hoist transfers available.
Mental Health, Autism & Sensory Processing
We understand the challenges as they relate to mental illness, autism and sensory processing, and we’re here to help.
Our commitment to you
Here to support you
We are a South Australian based business who puts clients at the centre of evrything we do. Most importantly, we know our WHY.
Why we help other South Australian families. Why we actively participate in the community. Why we support our fellow South Australians who are ravaged by bushfires. Why we contribute to causes that support our veterans. Why we embrace technology to enable unique and flexible ways to provide services to clients in isolation or those in regional areas.
For us it’s simple…..we love supporting you, your family, our community, our city, our state. What more reason do you need?
Thank you for helping us continue our why. Because that makes us feel a whole lot better.
Experience and expertise
Every referral is carefully screened by Tracie McInnes, our Managing Director and Chief Occupational Therapist, with 25 years’ experience working in aged care and adult disability. You can therefore have confidence that your Occupational Therapist will have the necessary experience to meet your needs.
Tracie also oversees all of our clinical services, ensuring the highest quality in everything we do. And, an industry leading mentorship and professional development program means our occupational therapists remain at the forefront of evidence-based best practice.
Exceptional customer service, guidance & support
From the very first time you contact us, you will feel at ease. That’s because we have Jessica (Jess), our Client Support Officer. Jess will take the time to guide you through the process and ensure you have everything you need to make an informed decision about your occupational therapy services.
Should you decide to proceed with our services, Jess will be with you every step of the way, ensuring complete transparency……you will know exactly what services will be provided, why it will be provided, how it will be provided, who will provide it and how much it will cost……and then we will ask you how we went to ensure we got it right.
To us, it all comes down to integrity………like you, we value our independence above all else, understanding that independence fosters integrity, honesty and accountability. For this reason we only provide occupational therapy. That way, if we refer you to a speech therapist, physio, podiatrist, exercise physiologist, dietician or any other provider, you’ll know it’s in your best interests, not ours.
Flexible service delivery
You choose how you want your services delivered. We are uniquely placed in our ability to provide services in one of three ways…..in your home, in our state-of-the-art clinic, or virtually via an easy to use web based platform. It provides us with unprecedented flexibility, allowing us to not only service the greater Adelaide area and Adelaide Hills, but also those in rural and isolated regions.
Enquire Today
You choose. In-home, In-clinic or Virtual Appointments Available.
Or call (08) 8331 0566