Services

Activities of daily living (ADL) assessment

Assessment of the person's abilities conducting their personal, domestic and community activities - known as ADL.  These include tasks such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, budgeting and recreation activities.  Assessment involves interviews with the person, family, workers and other supports, as well as observation of the person performing ADL in their home, or other environment.  Written reports are provided. 

Activities of daily living (ADL) retraining

Training in ADL, tailored to the person's individual goals, needs, strengths and learning style.  This may include education, modifying tasks, teaching strategies, and recommending assistive technologies.  Training is graded and individualised and aims to increase the person’s independence in ADL and their participation in social, recreation and leisure activities.  Therapy goals are made collaboratively and outcomes are measured using SMART goals.

Assistive technologies prescription

Prescription of assistive technologies (equipment) to compensate for difficulties, such as devices to aid memory, or cooking aids to compensate for difficulty with chopping.  Training is also provided on how to use these. 

Activity selection and sampling

Selection of social and recreational activities, based on individual interests and values.  Activity sampling involves skilled observation of the person performing the activity, to identify any barriers to participation.  Barriers are then addressed to facilitate involvement in the activity, e.g. the activity or the environment it is conducted in may be modified to suit the person.

Home assessment and modification

Assessment of the home environment to identify areas where safety and independence may be compromised, such as chairs, kitchen, bathroom or stairs.  Prescription of minor home modifications and assistive technologies to increase independence and safety, such as installing grab rails and lever taps in the shower.  ​

Carer programs

Recommendations about the level and type of carer support the person requires.  This helps to ensure the person is provided the right amount of support to enable them to be as independent as possible, in each ADL.  Timetables can be provided, detailing when specific support is required. 

Carer training and support

Carer education, training and support on the nature of the person’s disability, their ADL skills and how to best support the person’s performance in ADL.  Manuals can also be written, detailing this information.  

Manuals can be especially helpful when there is a large team, several agencies, a multidisciplinary team, or when working with a person who has multiple and complex needs.  These manuals can integrate the understandings and recommendations of the whole team, to guide carers on how to positively engage the person in their ADL. This helps to achieve consistency and ensure that important learnings are not lost when carer or agency change occurs.