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Assessment of Need for Community Services & Out-of-Home

The questions in this guide provide a framework to evaluate the effectiveness of a person’s formal supports (In-Home Supportive Services, case management, etc.), informal supports (family members, friends) and care needs. There is no magic formula that determines when more formal support services are needed or when out-of-home placement is necessary. Every individual and her/his circumstances differ. However, limited informal supports coupled with high care needs can be strong indicators for increased use of formal community-based services or for investigation of out-of-home placement. This guide can be used for yourself or your loved one.

Needs No AssistanceNeeds Some AssistanceNeeds A Lot of Assistance
Eating
Toileting
Bathing
Dressing
Grooming
Walking
Transferring

If an individual "Needs a Lot of Assistance" in 2 or more of the activities listed above in # 1, it is important to consider increasing formal support services or even to consider looking into out-of-home placement options. Professionals use these "activities of daily living" (ADLs) to determine appropriateness for a variety of services and for triggering insurance payments for care at home or in institutions.