Objective evaluation

Objective assessment is performed by an occupational therapist or other trained professional after the initial completion of the descriptive part (= introductory form) specifying the client's health limitations and after studying the subjective perception of obstacles in activities of daily living (ADL).

The aim of the objective evaluation questionnaire is to systematically identify and evaluate the existing barriers based on their severity and the frequency of the need to overcome them. From the viewpoint of the whole accessibility modifications process, the result of this part of the methodology is crucial. An objectively completed questionnaire will provide quality data on the existing barriers, which can make the whole accessibility modifications process significantly more effective.

The evaluator completes the questionnaire with the client in the environment being evaluated, i.e. in the client's home. The evaluator assesses severity of the existing barriers on a scale of 0-3 with respect to the client's current health condition, the extent of his limitations and the frequency of the need to overcome a particular barrier on a scale of 0-5 based on the client's specific needs. Situations that are irrelevant for any reason are rated zero.

The severity evaluation should not be influenced by the client's lack of motivation or interest to overcome a particular barrier. This can (but does not have to – depending always on the specific situation and the opinion of the evaluator who should always keep in mind the essential evaluation aim) be reflected in the frequency rating (if a client is not interested in/does not have a need to overcome a particular barrier, frequency is rated zero).

Rating:

Barrier severity:
0 = Irrelevant (does not exist in the given environment and/or does not present a problem for the client);
1 = Barrier which the client is able to overcome with increased effort on his/her own or using aids that the client already has at home and knows how to manipulate them;
2 = Barrier which the client is able to overcome only with adequate assistance of another person;
3 = Barrier which the client is unable to overcome, even with adequate assistance of another person.

Frequency of the need to overcome a barrier:
0 = Irrelevant (does not exist in the given environment or the client does not need and/or is not interested in overcoming the barrier);
1 = Once a month at maximum;
2 = Once a week at maximum;
3 = More than once a week;
4 = At least once a day;
5 = More than once a day.

Comments, clarifications, recommendations, possible solutions:
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Photo documentation
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Evaluation instructions:

• Always evaluate only the barrier to which the question in the form relates;
• Evaluate each barrier once only;
• If multiple problems relate to one question, always evaluate only the most severe problem;
• Assess the barrier severity objectively with respect to the client's health condition and extent of limitations;
• Evaluate the frequency of the need to overcome a particular barrier with respect to the client's actual needs, which can also be influenced by his/her lack of motivation or interest.