Assessment of care requirements to inform NDIS

support funding
Please note that this assessment of care requirements should be referred to jointly with the written functional capacity

EXAMPLE: Rita J* (name changed), 30 year old female, complex acquired brain injury.

Option for
BASIC DAILY Method to access informal
Level of assistance Ratio of support Comment
ACTIVITIES support support to
assist
Eating Total Assistance 1:1 Scheduled and No PEG feeding, full assistance
regular

Drinking Total Assistance 1:1 Scheduled and No PEG feeding, full assistance
regular
Transfers Total Assistance 2:1 Immediately No Hoist transfer x2 assist
available and
monitored
Falls Total Assistance 2:1 Immediately No 2:1 support required to maintain safety during
available and transfers.
monitored Outside of these hours, supervision can be
shared 1:3
Toileting Total Assistance 2:1 Scheduled and No Soils pad, however sits on commode over toilet
regular x1 per day

Continence Total Assistance 2:1 Immediately No Incontinent of bowels and bladder. Rita J
available and requires 3x pad changes per day.
monitored
Showering Total Assistance 2:1 Scheduled and No Hoisted x2 assist to shower trolley and shower

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 regular completed x2 assist. At times, Rita J’s shower
and personal care routine can take longer than
the usual 1 hour scheduled.

Dressing Total Assistance 2:1 Scheduled and No X2 assist for all dressing tasks
regular
Pressure relief and Total Assistance 2:1 Immediately No Repositioned every 2-3 hours overnight,
management available and changed from wheelchair to recliner AM/PM, tilt
monitored on wheelchair adjusted throughout the day.

Wandering and getting N/A N/A N/A No Relies on manual wheelchair, attendant
lost propelled for all mobility
Behaviours of harm to N/A N/A N/A No No behaviours of concern however is a
self or others unintentional risk of harm due to falls/pressure
(intentional and and aspiration risk.
unintentional)
Difficulty Total Assistance 1:1 Immediately No Unable to communicate own needs, must be
communicating basic available and anticipated by care staff
needs monitored
Support needs Total Assistance 2:1 shared Scheduled and No Repositioning every 2-3 hours by x2 care staff for
overnight regular pressure management

HIGH INTENSITY Level of assistance Ratio of support Method to access Option for Comment
SUPPORTS support informal
support to

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 assist
Complex Bowel Care Total Assistance 2:1 Immediately No Must be anticipated with medications or other
available and management if issues arise – nil regular enemas
monitored or suppositories given
Enteral feeding Total Assistance 1:1 Scheduled and No PEG fed for all meals by x1 appropriately trained
management regular support staff
Suctioning Total Assistance 1:1 Immediately No
available and
monitored
Tracheostomy N/A N/A N/A No N/A
Management
Urinary catheter N/A N/A N/A No N/A
management
Ventilator management N/A N/A N/A No N/A
Subcutaneous injections N/A N/A N/A No N/A
Diabetes management Total Assistance 1:1 Scheduled and No Rita J has non-insulin dependent type 2 diabetes
regular and requires 1:1 assistance to monitor blood
sugar levels at 6am each morning. Rita J would
also require 1:1 assistance respond to any
hyper/hypoglycaemia. She is assisted to take
metformin medication for type 2 diabetes via
her PEG.

Option for
INSTRUMENTAL Method to access informal
Level of assistance Ratio of support Comment
DAILY ACTIVITIES support support to
assist
Shopping Total Assistance 1:3 Scheduled and No House shop is shared across residents

© Optimal Therapy Pty Ltd 2022. Not to be copied or distributed Updated January 2022
 regular
Meal preparations N/A N/A N/A No Modified diet
Laundry Total Assistance 1:3 Scheduled and No Unable to complete, relies on staff
regular
Household cleaning Total Assistance 1:3 Scheduled and No Unable to complete, relies on staff
regular
Medication Total Assistance 1:3 Scheduled and No Relies on staff for all medication management
management regular via PEG
Money Management Total Assistance 1:1 Scheduled and No Relies on Trustee and staff for all financial
regular management
Use of everyday devices N/A N/A N/A No Relies on staff for set up of TV
Transport and Total Assistance 1:1 Scheduled and No Must be in modified van that Inspire services
Community Access regular and external services both provide
Leisure activities Total Assistance 1:1 Scheduled and No Must be anticipated
regular
Employment /Study N/A N/A N/A No Unable

SUMMARY OF SUPPORT NEEDS:

 As outlined in section 5.3 (Housing History), Rita J has resided in support disability accommodation for five years since acquiring her disability in 2017.
Consequently, Rita J is unable to transition to alternative living arrangements as these would not meet her needs . (Francine: unsuccessful living
arrangements)
 Rita J requires constant 24/7 care as described in the table above that vary between constant and immediately available for all aspects of her life and
activities of daily living

© Optimal Therapy Pty Ltd 2022. Not to be copied or distributed Updated January 2022
  Rita J does have family that visit her, however they are unable to provide the high level of level of support she requires. Rita J’s family are also
geographically distanced as they reside in Kununurra
 The assessments above demonstrate Rita J’s requirement for constantly available support twenty-four hours per day, including active supports overnight
for pressure management. Rita J’s support ratios vary between 1:1, 2:1 and 1:3 depending on the task. Due to her cognitive and communication
difficulties, Rita J is unable to identify and access her supports unless this is monitored and anticipated for her.
 Rita J would be at extreme risk and her wellbeing compromised if she was left without support . Due to Rita J’s complex physical disability, she requires
customised and specialist assistive technology to facilitate her participation daily activities. Rita J and her support team are at a manual handling risk using
this equipment in an environment that is not suitable. Whilst an appropriate environment and equipment will improve safety and efficiency of personal
care and transfers, it is not expected that these would reduce the ratio of support required.
 Allowing a more appropriate resident to support ratio for Rita J’s needs – fewer residents per support workers will result in staff focus and time increased
directly for Rita J rather than being spread between a high number of residents. Currently, Rita J is at risk of oversight and having unmet needs, particularly
in relation to her respiratory and pressure injury risk. Rita J requires multiple procedures and a strong prevention approach to mitigate these risks.
Procedures such as 2-3 hourly repositioning overnight with two support workers are difficult to meet with limited staffing. An improved ratio of support is
a necessary model for Rita J’s safety.
 Rita J’s disability is significant, and she has had past input from therapy services. Her current function is unlikely to change to a point where her support
needs would be less, however an optimal environment would ensure she could be supported in the best way possible and improve her overall quality of
life.

© Optimal Therapy Pty Ltd 2022. Not to be copied or distributed Updated January 2022