What Is an Assessment?

Article submitted by Flo Jones of Home To Stay, LLC
For more information, she can be reached at 303-929-2330.

An assessment is a snapshot - a picture of how you are functioning in your current setting, be it your home, a retirement community or a nursing home. It is the opportunity to discuss how you are doing, what works and does not work, what you like and dislike.

The assessment process takes approximately 2 hours. You will be discussing your medical history and how you function on a daily basis with tasks that impact your ability to stay independent. These tasks are commonly referred to as the activities of daily living. They are broken down into two categories Critical and Instrumental:

• Critical: transfers, mobility, dressing, bathing, hygiene, bowel and bladder, and eating.
• Instrumental: medicine management, appointment management, money management, access resources, meal preparation, housework, laundry, and shopping.

Depending upon the initial assessment, a medical history from your physician may be required. In order to obtain additional information, you may be asked to sign a release. This gives the assessor the ability to obtain and share information with your physician and other critical people (caregivers, family members) who may be involved in your care.

An assessment should be completed by a professional care manager. All care manger can be a social worker or a nurse. Before hiring anyone to help you make important care decisions ask for their background and references. A professional care manager acts as the coordinator of services for you. They can be the ones making the phone calls and interfacing with the other professionals.