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 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 life time. 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. Homemaking/ housekeeping/ maintenance support needs will be identified including type of assistance and hours of assistance.

Assessment Methodology

The assessment process includes:

• Review of provided medical and rehabilitation documentation

• Clinical interview with the client

• Clinical interview with the family or other identified individuals of support (if necessary and available)

• Physical screening: range of motion, strength testing, transfers, mobility, balance. Standardized methods may include grip testing, goniometer measurements, berg balance test

• Cognitive Screening : memory , orientation , executive skills

• Psychoemotional screening : client interview , family interview (if available)

• Functional Assessment : Client demonstration and observation of performance of a range of self care and homemaking/ housekeeping tasks as appropriate and medically able

• Home Environment: Observation of entrances/ exits, stairs, bathroom , flooring , size, accessibility

• Caregiving : interview with parent, observation of childcare tasks if appropriate

• Work : interview and review of pre/post accident goals, abilities and limitation

In order to complete the Future Care Needs and Cost Analysis, the therapist will;

• Communicate with client (coordination, review of recommendations)

• Perform medical/rehabilitation report review and summary/communicate with other team members/treatment providers

• Perform homemaking/housecleaning/home maintenance assessment (to include interview, standardized and functional assessment)

• Complete report preparation (data analysis)

• Complete costing table (inclusive of any associated recommendations)