An important part of the NDIS journey is Occupational Therapy, which adds to the improved mobility and well-being of NDIS participants. Still, a very important part of OT that is slightly unknown should also be focused on: Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA).
FCA is considered the backbone of OT. This assesses the NDIS participant’s ability to perform everyday tasks and activities. For NDIS participants availing NDIS OT Goldcoast, understanding FCA is critical to improving their health and independence. This article will discuss the things one must know about FCA, and how it can be beneficial to NDIS participants.
What is Functional Capacity Assessment?
The occupational therapists do a functional capacity assessment on an NDIS participant. It is a detailed assessment used to evaluate the capabilities and limitations of the individual in their daily setting and provide supportive plans to help the clients to be more independent.
What is the Role of Occupational Therapists in FCA?
Occupational therapists are healthcare professionals helping NDIS participants reach their highest functioning every day. They focus on empowering their skills in their personal care, house chores, work, or other leisure activities. NDIS Occupational Therapy Gold Coast’s OTs are conducting FCAs of NDIS participants and provide necessary support.
What are the Key Components of FCA?
- Initial Assessment: The first meeting is an initial consultation where OTs gather all the details of the NDIS participants from medical history, daily routines, their specific challenges, and the goals they want to achieve.
- Task Evaluation: This is the part where OTs observe their NDIS participants while doing various tasks essential for their daily living. This could be bathing, grooming, dressing, or any task related to mobility or in their social interactions in their community.
- Standardised Testing: It is a test provided to NDIS participants undergoing NDIS OT Goldcoast. A test to measure their physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. Here OTs can identify the NDIS participant’s strengths and areas for improvement.
- Environmental Assessment: Another part of FCA is the environmental evaluation where OTs also observe the environment where the NDIS participant belongs. In this case, they can determine barriers to their situation or areas that can help improve their independence. This can be done in their home, their workplaces, or any community spaces that the NDIS participants usually visit.
- Goal Setting: An important part of the FCA is the part where the OTs discuss with their NDIS participants. They talk about the needs and goals of the NDIS participants. From here, they tailor a support plan that would be significant in improving the quality of life of the NDIS participant and their families.
Benefits of FCA to NDIS Participants
The overall goal of NDIS is to make the lives of Australians with disabilities better together with their families. Their core aim is to make these individuals able to live and decide on their own. In the execution of FCA, it can be seen that the NDIS participants are the ones benefiting after all. Here are a few of the benefits NDIS participants experience through FCA:
1. Customised Support Plans
Through FCAs, NDIS support plans are tailored to the needs and goals of NDIS participants. With this, we can ensure that the intervention will be more effective and impactful.
2. Enhanced Independence
The goal of any NDIS journey is independence, and because of FCAs, areas of improvement can be identified and NDIS support workers can work on that area to later empower independence to their NDIS participants.
3. Improved Quality of Life
As a result of FCA, the NDIS support plan is focused on meeting the unique needs and goals of the NDIS participants. A focused NDIS support plan is effective in improving the quality of life of the NDIS participants and their families.
4. Informed Decision Making
FCAs provide insights that are beneficial for the participants and their caregivers. In this way, both can work together to effectively implement the plans and strategies.
