A trained and accredited severe disability assessor will determine whether you meet the criteria for being unable to perform three or more Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). To enhance accessibility, we have expanded the pool of assessors to include trained therapists and nurses.

 

All assessors have undergone a rigorous training programme to learn how to assess a patient’s level of disability. Through the training, assessors are equipped to assess an individual’s ability to perform the six ADLs, including specific components of each ADL to take into account, what factors to consider when an individual is cognitively impaired, and what should be done if any individual’s functional ability fluctuates over time. As this is a complex process, the training and accreditation is necessary to ensure that disability assessments are conducted with a high degree of rigour and consistency.

 

The Government is also exploring the recognition of equivalent assessments conducted by qualified healthcare professionals such as doctors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and registered nurses who are providing care to the patient. In such cases, the patients do not need a separate disability assessment. Today, residents of nursing home can approach their nursing home to submit the Resident's Assessment Form in place of the disability assessment.

 

MOH and AIC will progressively roll out the use of such equivalent assessments and will publish more information on their respective websites.