What is a Functional Capacity Assessment?
A functional capacity assessment analyses a person’s functional performance in everyday activities in their home and community.
It aims to holistically consider and define the comprehensive needs and goals of the person; this includes any necessary support to participate in daily living activities and a summary of needs to continue participating in the community.
Total Health Choice is a registered NDIS provider; therefore, NDIS participants are eligible to contact us to complete a functional capacity assessment.
My Aged Care participants receiving Home Care Packages are also eligible for a functional capacity assessment.
Contact UsFunctional Capacity Assessments Explained
When is The Right Time for a Functional Capacity Assessment?
People choose to engage with us for our assessments/ reports because we work within our values of trust, compassion, and care.
Our team of Occupational Therapists are experienced and dedicated and we ensure our assessments and reports are professional and prompt.
We also provide choice and control by offering a choice to the therapist you see, and we listen and action your needs, wants, and ideas.
How Long is the Assessment?
A trained Occupational Therapist completes the functional capacity assessment in the person’s chosen environment for 1-2 hours.
What Exercises, Tests, or Tasks Will We Do?
During the assessment, you will be asked questions about your current abilities in everyday tasks (e.g., showering, dressing, toileting), your strengths, and what barriers you are faced with to being independent and safe within your home or community.
You may also be asked to complete a formal assessment or functional assessment (observation of you completing a task) to provide a further understanding of your capabilities.
Our Functional Assessments Involve…
Home Environment & Community
The therapist will ask detailed questions about your home and community environment.
They may also ask you to lead them in and around your home. If you require any equipment or home modifications, the therapist will take photos and measure the area with your consent.
All Aspects of Healthcare
If you and the therapist have identified that you require other healthcare services relating to your disability, the reason and recommendation will be clearly stated in the functional capacity assessment report for the NDIS to review.
All the recommendations listed in your report will be discussed with you to ensure you are involved in the decision-making process.
Involving Consented Family/Carers
All relevant supports (e.g., family, friends, support workers, Support Coordinators) can be involved in the functional capacity assessment to provide further information, with your consent.
Goals
During the functional capacity assessment, together with the therapist you will set goals and ascertain what supports will be required to help achieve these desired goals.
There are short and long term functional goals that will be discussed as well as therapy-specific goals.
Detailed Documentation
We will document all the gathered information into a detailed treatment note to assist with the report writing process.
The therapist will then complete a functional report that clearly outlines the information and recommendation identified during the assessment.
Timeframes
The report may take between 3-6 hours to complete as it is very extensive in order to ensure the best outcome for you.
Once completed, the therapist will send the report to you and all other relevant supports (e.g., family and Support Coordinators).
Ongoing Support
If you require ongoing Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy or Exercise Physiology services to achieve your goals, Total Health Choice can provide continuity of care after the assessment and report are completed.
Our Occupational Therapists are qualified to help with:
- Assistive technology (AT)
- Environmental/ home modifications
- Liaising with the NDIS for funding requests
- Helping people mobilise and access the community
Contact Total Health Choice
We have experience completing assessments and reports and we pride ourselves on the written reports we present to our participants to assist them to gain the maximum benefits from their NDIS plan.
Our therapists have had in depth training and experience with NDIS and Home care Package clients and writing successful written reports.
We are dedicated to helping our participants achieve their goals by providing assessments and therapy supports.
We provide these supports for participants living with physical, neurological, and psychosocial disabilities. Please contact us here.
