Elcies

Functional Capacity Assessments

What is an FCA?

A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) evaluates a person’s ability to perform tasks around self-care, mobility, communication and other daily activities within and around the home and in the community.

This can include:

Showering and other personal hygiene tasks
Using stairs/steps
Cooking and eating/drinking
Moving around the home, yard or community
Getting into and out of bed
Social interaction
Or any other daily task or activity.

FCAs are typically for people facing challenges with performing or completing these types of tasks. Challenges may relate to intellectual disability, autism, neurological, musculoskeletal, congenital, or degenerative conditions; the ageing process; or a traumatic brain injury.

An FCA aims to provide insights into a person’s functional performance, to aid planning or decision making around whether supports may help the person maintain their safety and independence, and what this may look like.

Term One 2024 program dates are here! Download a flyer for our Southern program below.

Led by the Principal and Clinical Lead of our Positive Behaviour Support team, each weekly session will run for two hours at the Edwardstown Baptist Church.

Topics covered will include:

Southern Program

When: Wednesdays, 7 February 2024 – 10 April 2024 (weekly sessions)
Time: 10am – 12pm
Where: Edwardstown Baptist Church, 54C Dorene St, St Marys SA 5042
Program Cost: $1745.90 – can be claimed through NDIS Capacity Building Supports.

Functional Capacity Assessments

Frequently Asked Questions

How can a Functional Capacity Assessment help me or someone I support?

A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) can provide valuable information and insight into the functional capacity of you or the person you’re supporting.
An FCA report may assist with planning and decision making around what supports, tools or modifications, if any, may assist the person being assessed, to improve their functional capacity.
An FCA report can also be used as a supporting document for your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIS planner.
Information in an FCA can play a crucial role in guiding the services and allowances included in your NDIS plan when you are transitioning onto the NDIS, or if you are in the stages of creating, reviewing, or appealing an NDIS plan.

What does a Functional Capacity Assessment include?

A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is conducted over 1:1 sessions with an experienced assessor. These are generally 4-6 hours, depending on need.

Whilst sessions are typically conducted with the individual the assessment is for, they may be undertaken with those most important in the person’s life as well if relevant to areas being assessed. Sessions can take place across multiple locations and environments if needed.

The main areas that FCAs assess include:

self-care
mobility and/or motor skills
sensory profiles
communication
social interaction
learning
self-management.

FCAs can evaluate:

cognitive functions
sensory needs
physical functions, including mobility and/or motor skills
assistive devices or technologies
work, community and/ or educational activities
caregiver capacity and wellbeing.

Can you use NDIS funding for a Functional Capacity Assessment?

Yes, NDIS funding can be used for Functional Capacity Assessments.

FCAs typically use funding from:

Capacity Building
Capital Support

How much will a Functional Capacity Assessment cost?

The cost of a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) will depend on the individual and a number of factors.

FCAs are charged by the hour. The longer it takes to complete the FCA the higher the cost will be. The complexity of an individual’s personal challenges, current living environment, daily activities, commitments and age can impact the cost.

Example costing for an FCA:

Assessments: 4x 1 hours sessions: 4x $193.99 per hour = $775.96
3x hours for Assessment tool scoring and evaluation: 3x $193.99 per hour = $581.97
Report write-up: up to 7 hours: 7x $193.99 per hour = $1357.93
Optional Assessment Summary discussion (1x hour) = $193.99
Total = $2909.85

NDIS funding from these lines can be used for FCAs:

Capacity Building
Capital Support

How do I organise a Functional Capacity Assessment with Elcies Disability Care?

If you’re interested in organisising a Functional Capacity Assessment with Elcies Disability Care (EDC), please submit an online enquiry using the form below or email us at: EDC@lutherancare.org.au

One of our team members will be in contact to gather some information from you, after which you will be allocated to an experienced assessor who will organise a time for you to meet and start the assessment process.

Currently, EDC has no waitlist for this service.