_edited_edited_edited.png)
- Larissa Ayling
- Dec 1, 2024
- 8 min read
What is a Functional Assessment?
A functional assessment is a comprehensive process that evaluates an individual's ability to perform essential day-to-day activities in their home and community environments. The purpose of the assessment is to gather detailed information about a person’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social capabilities. It helps identify what a person can do independently, where they may require support, and what accommodations or interventions are needed to help them achieve the highest level of independence possible.
Functional assessments are critical tools used by healthcare professionals to understand the challenges a person faces in their daily life due to medical conditions, disabilities, or other factors such as aging, injury, or illness. Unlike a medical assessment that focuses on diagnosing diseases or health conditions, a functional assessment looks specifically at how well someone can function in real-world situations. It includes a holistic view of the individual, considering their abilities and challenges across various domains of life, such as mobility, self-care, communication, socialization, and cognition.
These assessments are commonly used in the context of healthcare, rehabilitation, social services, and disability support. For individuals who are participants in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), functional assessments play a key role in determining eligibility for services and determining the level of support required to meet the person’s needs.
Who Has a Functional Assessment?
Functional assessments are designed for individuals who may have a disability, chronic illness, injury, or age-related decline that affects their ability to perform daily tasks. These individuals can benefit from a thorough evaluation to help caregivers, healthcare providers, and NDIS planners understand their current functioning and needs. The functional assessment may include a review of the person’s medical history, physical abilities, psychological state, cognitive function, and social participation.
Some examples of individuals who may have a functional assessment include:
NDIS Participants: Functional assessments are essential for individuals applying for or currently receiving support from the NDIS. These assessments help determine eligibility for funding and guide the development of a care plan tailored to the person’s needs. The NDIS uses functional assessments to measure the level of disability and to ensure participants receive the appropriate level of care and assistance.
Individuals with Physical Disabilities: People who have a physical disability, such as those with mobility impairments or conditions like spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, or cerebral palsy, may require functional assessments to determine how their condition impacts their ability to perform daily tasks and participate in society.
People with Cognitive Disabilities: Functional assessments are used for people with cognitive impairments, such as those living with developmental disabilities, dementia, or brain injuries. These assessments help healthcare providers understand how cognitive challenges affect an individual’s independence and ability to carry out activities like managing finances, cooking, or interacting socially.
Individuals Recovering from Illness or Injury: After surgery or major health events, such as a stroke, heart attack, or major accident, individuals may undergo a functional assessment to determine their recovery progress and the level of support needed for rehabilitation and daily living.
Elderly Individuals with Age-Related Decline: Older adults may experience a decline in their ability to perform certain functions, such as bathing, dressing, or moving around the house. A functional assessment can identify areas where support or adjustments are necessary to improve quality of life, prevent falls, and maintain independence.
People with Mental Health Conditions: Functional assessments are also used for individuals with mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia. These assessments help identify how mental health issues might affect a person’s ability to maintain relationships, manage daily tasks, or participate in social activities.
Functional assessments are not limited to any specific group of people; rather, they are valuable for anyone who needs support in managing daily life due to functional limitations. The goal is to gather relevant data to guide the development of personalized care plans that maximize independence and improve the individual’s overall well-being.
Why Do People Have Functional Assessments?
The primary purpose of a functional assessment is to gain a deep understanding of how an individual manages daily life, especially in relation to their disabilities, health conditions, or other challenges. Functional assessments help inform healthcare providers, disability support coordinators, and other service professionals about the support and interventions a person needs. These assessments serve several key purposes:
1. To Determine the Level of Care or Support Required
Functional assessments are crucial for identifying the level of support an individual requires to perform daily activities. For example, an individual with a disability may need assistance with activities like dressing, bathing, preparing meals, or managing personal hygiene. By assessing the person’s functional capacity in these areas, healthcare providers can determine what type of services are needed—whether personal care, mobility assistance, cognitive support, or therapy.
For individuals applying for NDIS support, the functional assessment helps determine the appropriate level of funding and which services will be included in their care plan. The goal is to ensure that participants receive enough support to meet their basic needs, but also to empower them to maintain as much independence as possible.
2. To Develop a Personalized Care Plan
The results of a functional assessment directly inform the creation of a personalized care plan. This plan is designed to meet the individual’s specific needs and goals, taking into account their strengths, challenges, and preferences. Based on the assessment, healthcare professionals will recommend interventions, services, and support that can help the individual live a more independent and fulfilling life. This may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, mobility aids, mental health support, or home modifications.
For example, an elderly individual who is having trouble with mobility might be recommended for a walker or home modifications to reduce the risk of falls. An individual with a cognitive impairment might need memory aids, routine support, and assistance with financial management. A functional assessment helps tailor the care plan to meet those specific needs.
3. To Evaluate Eligibility for NDIS Funding
In the context of the NDIS, functional assessments are essential for determining eligibility for services and the level of funding an individual will receive. The NDIS uses the results of the functional assessment to assess the severity of the individual’s disability, how it affects their ability to perform day-to-day activities, and what types of support will best help them achieve their goals.
The assessment also helps determine whether the individual qualifies for high or low-level support, the type of services covered by NDIS funding (such as therapy, personal care, or assistive technology), and how much financial assistance is required. A functional assessment ensures that the funding is allocated in a way that allows individuals to access the support they need to live independently and participate in the community.
4. To Monitor Progress
Functional assessments can be used as baseline evaluations and serve as a tool for tracking a person’s progress over time. Whether someone is recovering from an illness or injury or undergoing rehabilitation, periodic functional assessments provide valuable insights into how they are responding to interventions or therapies. These assessments can help healthcare providers assess whether the person is improving, maintaining their abilities, or if additional support or adjustments are needed.
For instance, an individual recovering from a stroke may undergo functional assessments at different stages of their rehabilitation process to track improvements in mobility, speech, and cognition. This helps inform decisions about discharge planning, ongoing therapies, and home care needs.
5. To Support Advocacy for Additional Services
Functional assessments can also serve as evidence when advocating for additional services or funding. For NDIS participants, these assessments provide clear documentation of the individual’s needs, which can be used to support requests for increased services or adjustments to care plans.
For individuals facing limited support or experiencing unmet needs, a functional assessment can help advocate for more appropriate interventions and ensure that they are receiving the necessary resources to live with dignity and independence.
What Outcomes Come From Functional Assessments?
Functional assessments lead to a wide range of outcomes that can have a significant impact on the individual’s quality of life. The information gathered during an assessment can guide healthcare professionals and support workers in making important decisions about care and treatment. Here are some of the common outcomes that arise from functional assessments:
1. Identification of Needs and Areas of Support
One of the most significant outcomes of a functional assessment is the identification of specific areas where an individual requires assistance. The assessment provides a clear picture of the individual’s functional abilities, helping to pinpoint areas where they might need help. This could include activities like managing personal hygiene, moving around the home, preparing meals, or interacting socially. By identifying these needs, healthcare providers can develop a targeted care plan and ensure that individuals receive the right support at the right time.
2. Development of a Care Plan
Based on the assessment results, healthcare providers will create a personalized care plan that addresses the person’s needs. This plan might include a combination of therapies, assistive technologies, home modifications, and support services that are designed to maximize the individual’s independence while providing the necessary care. The care plan will be dynamic, adjusting as the individual’s needs change over time.
For example, someone with a mobility impairment may be provided with a mobility aid like a wheelchair or walker, while a person with cognitive impairments might receive daily reminders, mental health support, and structured routines.
3. Access to Services and Funding
For people with disabilities or chronic conditions, functional assessments are essential for gaining access to government programs like the NDIS. The assessment results help determine the level of funding required and the types of services that should be included in the person’s care plan. This ensures that the individual receives the appropriate financial support and services they need to improve their quality of life and independence.
For NDIS participants, functional assessments can lead to funding for services such as personal care, therapy, transportation, home modifications, and assistive technology, all tailored to the individual's specific needs.
4. Monitoring of Progress
Functional assessments can be repeated periodically to track changes in an individual’s abilities. This is especially important for individuals recovering from an illness or injury or for those with degenerative conditions like dementia. Regular assessments provide valuable insights into how the individual is responding to treatments, therapies, or interventions, and whether their care plan needs to be adjusted to better meet their evolving needs.
For example, a person with a progressive neurological condition might have functional assessments every six months to track the progression of their symptoms and adjust their care plan accordingly.
5. Improved Quality of Life
Ultimately, the goal of a functional assessment is to enhance the individual’s quality of life by providing them with the support they need to maintain independence and participate in society. Functional assessments identify both strengths and areas where support is needed, ensuring that care is tailored to the person’s specific needs, maximizing independence, and improving overall well-being.
Whether it’s through improved mobility, better cognitive support, or personalized assistance with daily living tasks, functional assessments help individuals gain access to the resources that make it possible to lead fulfilling, independent lives.
Conclusion
Functional assessments play a critical role in understanding how an individual functions in their everyday life, especially for those with disabilities, chronic conditions, or other health-related challenges. They provide valuable insights that help healthcare providers, NDIS coordinators, and support workers create personalized care plans that address specific needs, promote independence, and improve quality of life. Whether used to determine eligibility for funding, track progress, or identify support needs, functional assessments ensure that individuals receive the right type of care to lead a fulfilling and independent life. Through these assessments, healthcare professionals can make informed decisions that have a lasting impact on the well-being of those they serve.
