3.6.9.70 Answering the ADAT questionnaire

Summary

This topic provides clarification about how carers and THPs (1.1.T.170) should respond to the questions on the ADAT (1.1.A.78) questionnaires.

Limit of answers

The carer and the THP must each indicate the ONE item that describes the adult's best ability for each question. The abbreviated mental test allows for more than one answer if the THP ticks that the care receiver is cognitively impaired.

For the questions about emotional state, behaviour and special care needs, the carer and THP should indicate EACH item that applies to the adult.

Best ability

The carer and THP responses must be based on the care receiver's ability when using aids, appliances or other special equipment items, if they have them, or when the adult is using their prescribed medication, if they take it, and is usually based on the previous 24 to 48 hours unless otherwise stated. If the care receiver does not have aids or does not take their prescribed medication the assessment is based on their needs without these things.

Note: Some people cannot afford to purchase aids or prescribed medication, while others may refuse to take them because of other complications.

If the condition is episodic or only apparent at certain times (LESS THAN ONCE A DAY), the carer and THP must respond as if the care recipient is NOT experiencing an episode or flare-up.

THP guidance

The THP should respond based on their own clinical assessment and/or information from other THPs who have assessed the care recipient. They may also base answers on information from:

• the carer
• an allied health professional, OR
• another professional person.

The THP may take information either verbally or in writing. Although the questions are similar in nature to those from other developmental assessment methods, it is not expected or required that the THP should conduct a full investigation of the care recipient's abilities for each functional domain.