This assessment considers the client's pre-accident level of function and outlines the current performance levels in areas such as personal/self care, homemaking, housecleaning, home maintenance and environmental accessibility.

The assessment takes into consideration the client's pre-accident level of independence in personal care tasks and level of household responsibility, while also identifying roles and responsibilities of other household members.

Safety and accessibility within the home environment post accident is a critical part of the assessment. The assessment will describe the home environment and provides necessary and reasonable recommendations to ensure optimal safety upon return home.

This assessment looks at a client's needs related to environmental safety and accessibility, services (attendant care etc.) and personal safety/comfort and mobility (inclusive of short term equipment needs) post surgical intervention. Recommendations will focus on ensuring personal safety after surgery and maximizing function in pre-accident roles. Coordination of care provider services may also occur if necessary.

The Attendant Care Needs Assessment determines a clients entitlement to the attendant care benefit. The assessment outlines areas of functional loss requiring assistance for daily living; type of assistance, frequency and cost is calculated (Level one, Level two, Level three) as per the Form 1.

The assessment is conducted within the clients home or hospital/long term care environment and assesses the personal care needs of the individual based on accident related sequelae only. Pre/post accident function and issues are addressed.

Reassessment of needs will also be completed if there are significant functional changes noted which will impact the amount of the care benefit.

Recommendations will be made for involvement of the client in treatment services (inclusive of aides prescription and education) which will optimize their return to pre-accident levels of function.

The Functional Home Assessment 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

The assessment takes into consideration the client's pre-accident level of household responsibility, while also identifying roles and responsibilities of other household members. Safety and accessibility within the home environment post accident is a critical part of the assessment.

The assessment will describe the home environment and provide necessary and reasonable recommendations to ensure optimal safety. Determination of service needs and access to available homemaking and housekeeping benefits will also be determined.

A re-assessment of functional capabilities and benefit entitlement will be completed after implementation of treatment recommendations and/or a reported change in client function.

The Environmental Home Safety and Accessibility Assessment will determine the client's ability to function safely within the home setting given their accident related problems and symptoms. This assessment will focus on;

1. Physical safely inclusive of the client's safety in accessing all areas of their home (entrances, bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen, common areas)
2. Cognitive capability inclusive of the client's ability to safely manage their activities of daily living and instrumental activities from a cognitive perspective (ability to manage emergency situations)
3. Behavior/social capability inclusive of the client's ability to safely and effectively engage in activities of daily living which require interaction with others. Ensure that they are not a danger to themselves or others.

Recommendations will be made related to prescription and provision of environmental modifications (temporary or permanent).

The Caregiver Assessment considers the client's pre-accident level of function with respect to their caregiver role and outlines current performance levels in the following areas:

• Provision of personal care, emotional support or supervision needs for children or individuals within household with special needs

The assessment takes into consideration the client's pre-accident level of responsibility, while also identifying roles and responsibilities of other household members. Recommendations will be made to maximize the client's level of function in this area as well as to compensate for the client's inability to perform this service given their accident related injuries and sequelae. Benefit access and need levels will be determined if this is the category elected by the client.

An in-home assessment will be conducted to determine the current status of the client's functionally based cognitive limitations. The client's medical file will also be thoroughly reviewed in order to understand the actual impairments and sequelae related to the subject motor vehicle accident. Additionally, communication with the client's family doctor, physiotherapist or health practitioner may be warranted to get a full understanding of the client's functional cognitive abilities.

This assessment will provide recommendations to maximize their independence and safety with respect to the client’s function in the home environment.

A Return to Activities of Daily Living program involves the development of a structured gradually progressive and goal oriented program that is utilized to return the client to their pre-accident roles related to;

• Personal care
• Homemaking and housekeeping
• Caregiving
• Recreational and leisure
• Social integration

This may include specialized education such as;

• Pain management
• Proper body mechanics
• Energy conservation
• Home ergonomics
• Alternate means of task performance (related to performance of day to day personal and home roles and duties)
• Cognitive compensatory strategies
• Pacing and scheduling
• Stress management

It may also incorporate the use of prescribed aides and devices.

As a component of our various assessments, the Occupational Therapist will prescribe aides/devices to maximize client function, assist in a return to pre-accident roles and responsibilities and to promote independence in the home, community and at work.

With the prescription of aides and devices, it is essential to provide education related to their safe and effective use. Lack of education could result in further injury or re-injury or minimally not allow for optimal benefit of the aide related to resumption of pre-accident roles.