What Happens During an OT Home Visit for an NDIS FCA?

What is a Functional Capacity Assessment?

A Functional Capacity Assessment, commonly called an FCA, examines how a person's disability affects their ability to complete everyday activities. Depending on the participant, this can include:

The purpose isn't simply to identify what someone can't do. A good FCA develops a clear picture of what the participant can do independently, what they can do with assistance, what support is required, and where changes could improve their independence, safety and participation.

• personal care and self-care
• mobility and transfers
• communication
• cognition and learning
• self-management
• domestic activities
• community access
• social participation
• safety and risk
• support required from other people

Why assess someone at home?

Because everyday function doesn't happen in a clinic.

A participant might be able to demonstrate that they can stand from a chair during an appointment. That doesn't necessarily tell us whether they can safely transfer from their own bed at 2am. Someone might be physically capable of making a sandwich. That doesn't tell us whether executive functioning difficulties prevent them from planning meals, remembering to eat, using appliances safely or cleaning up afterwards.

The home environment gives an occupational therapist important context. It allows us to see the interaction between the person, their disability, their environment and the activities they need or want to complete.

What does the OT look at?

This depends entirely on the participant and the reason for the assessment. We might discuss or assess how you:

• Get in and out of bed
• Use the bathroom and shower
• Dress and complete personal care
• Prepare meals
• Complete household tasks
• Manage medications and appointments
• Move around your home
• Access the community
• Manage routines and responsibilities
• Respond when something unexpected happens
• Use existing assistive technology or equipment

We can also look at the physical environment itself. Narrow doorways, stairs, bathroom layouts, uneven access, inappropriate furniture or a lack of suitable equipment can significantly affect someone's ability to function safely and independently.

Do I have to demonstrate everything?

No. Some activities can be observed where it's appropriate and safe to do so. Other information is obtained through discussion with the participant and the people who know them well. There are also personal activities that you might not feel comfortable physically demonstrating.

The purpose of the assessment is to obtain accurate information, not to make you uncomfortable.

Information can come from multiple sources, including:

• the participant
• family members and carers
• support workers and support coordinators
• existing clinical reports
• standardised assessments
• direct observation where appropriate

What about cognitive or psychosocial disability?

Not every functional limitation is visible. Someone can walk independently, shower independently and physically prepare a meal while still requiring substantial daily support.

Executive functioning difficulties can affect initiation, planning, sequencing, organisation, memory, judgement and problem-solving. Psychosocial disability can affect motivation, emotional regulation, social interaction, routines, community access and the ability to consistently complete everyday activities.

An FCA therefore looks beyond whether someone is physically capable of performing an activity. We also consider whether the person can complete it safely, consistently, effectively and independently in everyday life.

Should I clean the house before the OT arrives?

You don't need to make your home look perfect for an occupational therapy assessment. We're interested in your normal environment and your normal routine.

If laundry accumulates because completing it is difficult, that's relevant. If meals aren't being prepared because planning and initiating cooking is overwhelming, that's relevant. If equipment is sitting unused because it doesn't actually work for you, that's relevant too.

Real-world information helps us understand real-world function.

Can family or support workers be involved?

Absolutely. With the participant's consent, information from family members, carers, support workers and other people involved in their daily life can provide valuable additional context.

This is particularly useful where someone has difficulty recalling information, communicating their support needs or recognising how much assistance they receive. It can also help identify situations where family members are quietly providing substantial levels of support that aren't immediately obvious.

How long is the home visit compared with the FCA package?

Your home visit is one part of the assessment, not the whole package. We agree appointment length and the number of sessions around your needs before we begin.

Our all-inclusive FCA package is 15 hours ($2,909.85 at $193.99 per hour). It includes interviews, assessment appointments, liaison, analysis and the completed report. Appointment length and the number of sessions are agreed around your needs; the package hours are not appointment-only time. We confirm the fee and funding in writing before work begins.

What happens after the assessment?

The home visit is only one component of a comprehensive FCA. Depending on the assessment required, the occupational therapist also reviews existing reports, completes standardised assessments, consults relevant members of the participant's support network and analyses the information gathered.

The final report brings that information together to explain the participant's functional capacity, current support requirements, identified risks and clinically appropriate recommendations.

Functional Capacity Assessments with a 10-business-day turnaround

We provide comprehensive occupational therapy Functional Capacity Assessments for NDIS participants, focused on reports that clearly connect disability-related impairment with everyday functional impact, support requirements, risks, goals and recommendations.

We offer a 10-business-day FCA report turnaround following completion of the required assessment and receipt of relevant information. Assessments are available by Telehealth anywhere in Australia, and in person across South East Queensland, Northern Rivers, Mackay and surrounding areas.

If you're preparing for an NDIS reassessment, experiencing changes in your support needs or simply need clearer evidence of your everyday functional capacity, get in touch to discuss whether an FCA is right for you.