At Maximum Independence Inc., all Situational Assessments will be completed by an Occupational Therapist who is a Regulated Health Professional, Certified and Licensed to practice in the province of Ontario and country of Canada as well as specifically trained and Certified in the performance of the Functional Abilities Evaluation component of the assessment utilizing the WorkWell Method for the Functional Abilities Evaluation component.

This particular assessment is a comprehensive and objective test of an individual's ability to perform work-related tasks from a physical, cognitive and psychoemotional perspective. A Functional Abilities Evaluation will be completed as a component of this assessment for the purpose of determining musculoskeletal performance. The client's physical capabilities are rated; physical abilities and limitations are compared to physical and functional findings. In addition to physical function, the client's ability to perform the cognitive and psychosocial demands of work will also be reviewed. This will include a review of the client's general work behaviors and tolerances, ability to learn work tasks, attend, concentrate and perform job functions at productive levels.

The Functional Abilities Evaluation is performed one-on-one between the Occupational Therapist and the client over two days. The total assessment will be conducted over a period of 5 days dependent on client needs and the purpose of the assessment itself.  The remainder of the assessment will include client participation in a variety of simulated work activities that will allow further determination of skills, abilities, and limitations related to physical, cognitive and social/behavioral demands of work.  Clients are requested to attend on consecutive days between the hours of 9:30 to 3:30, in order to better simulate the demands of a real job. Supervision and evaluation of simulated work activities will be completed by the Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy Assistant and Vocational Specialist as appropriate. A review of the outcome of the assessment and recommendations arising from the assessment will be conducted with the client on their last day of attendance.

This assessment will identify the safe maximum abilities of the client related to the performance of specific physical activities which are commonly performed during work. If adequate information is available a specific comparison of the client's abilities can be made to a client's pre-accident position (Job Demands Analysis) or a possible future job goal.  Specific referral questions will be requested.

Further this assessment can determine the client's ability to perform the cognitive demands of work (attend, remember, learn new duties etc.) and be able to demonstrate appropriate social/behavioral skills necessary for working. This assessment can be utilized to determine the client's ability to perform their own occupation, any occupation, a client's ability to work at productive or competitive levels, their ability to work full or part time as well as the impact of the client's work on their ability to function in other life roles (homemaking, house cleaning, care giving etc.).

The Future Care Needs and Costs Analysis determines the client’s physical, cognitive and psychoemotional status as it impacts the client’s ability to perform activities of daily living now and in the future.  Assessments focus on an individual’s ability to perform meaningful activities that are necessary for day to day function. 

The Future Care Needs and Cost Analysis considers the client’s pre-accident level of function and outlines current performance levels in the following areas:

• Personal/Self Care:  dressing, grooming, bathing, toileting, feeding, sleeping , medication management
• Homemaking: laundry, meal preparation including planning and clean up, grocery shopping
• Housecleaning: dusting, vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, bathroom cleaning, bed linens, tidying, heavy/seasonal cleaning
• Home Maintenance: lawn and garden care, snow removal, seasonal needs, repairs
• Caregiving:  personal care or supervision needs for children or individuals within household with special needs
• Work

The assessment takes into consideration the client’s pre-accident level of household responsibility, while also identifying roles and responsibilities of other household members.  It further looks at the anticipated life path and roles associated with changes over the life span.

Assessment Outcome

The Future Care Needs and Cost Assessment report is individualized to the client’s status and anticipated path of the client’s accident related concerns over a lifetime.  Recommendations are client centered.  All recommendations are reasonable and necessary to minimize the impact of the ongoing injuries, impairments and sequelae now and in the future.  Treatment recommendations are aimed to improve the client’s level of function with the goal of maximizing levels of activity.  Recommendations may include:  aides and devices, education, activity programs, medical and rehabilitation service needs and attendant care needs.  Homemaking/ housekeeping/ maintenance service support needs will be identified including type of assistance and hours of assistance.

Further Home Modification/Accessibility Needs, vehicle accessibility and transportation needs will be addressed.

As Occupational Therapists we are regulated health care professionals trained to assess an individual's occupational performance within the context of his/ her environment. We are also skilled in the analysis of present and future care cost needs.

The Future Care Needs and Costs Critique Analysis determines the client's physical, cognitive and psychoemotional status as it impacts the client's ability to perform activities of daily living now and in the future. Assessments focus on an individual's ability to perform meaningful activities that are necessary for day to day function. A Critique of a previously provided Future Care Plan is conducted.

The Future Care Needs and Cost Analysis considers the client's pre-accident level of function and outlines current performance levels in the following areas:

• Personal/Self Care: dressing, grooming, bathing, toileting, feeding, sleeping, medication management
• Homemaking: laundry, meal preparation including planning and clean up, grocery shopping
• Housecleaning: dusting, vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, bathroom cleaning, bed linens, tidying, heavy/seasonal cleaning
• Home Maintenance: lawn and garden care, snow removal, seasonal needs, repairs
• Caregiving: personal care or supervision needs for children or individuals within household with special needs
• Work

The assessment takes into consideration the client's pre-accident level of household responsibility, while also identifying
roles and responsibilities of other household members. It further looks at the anticipated life path and roles associated
with changes over the life span. This assessment can be conducted via an in-personal assessment, a paper review, or a
combination of the above.

This assessment can be utilized to provide an analysis of medical rehabilitation needs and costs in cases where funding via the TORT insurer is requested where accident benefits have been or will soon be depleted.