Daily living component activity 2 descriptor B (2 points)
Needs:
- to use an aid or appliance to be able to take nutrition; or
- supervision to be able to take nutrition; or
- assistance to be able to take nutrition
An individual may use an aid or aids to assist them in completing this. (See the definition of aid or appliance).
Types of aids
Common aids can include (this list is not exhaustive):
- plate guards
- weighted plates
- wide handle grips
- lidded beakers
Peeling and chopping
If an individual needs an aid to peel and chop food (daily living component activity 1), it should not be assumed that they’ll need to use an aid or appliance to take nutrition.
An individual who has problems with manual dexterity or grip strength may have problems chopping and peeling raw vegetables but may find it easier to cut cooked food
Supervision or assistance
You’ll also consider if the individual needs supervision or assistance from another person to complete the activity.
Meaning of supervision
‘Supervision’ means the continuous presence of another person for the purpose of ensuring an individual’s safety.
The supervision can be in relation to any risk to the individual’s safety, whether or not the risk directly results from carrying out the activity in question.
Meaning of assistance
‘Assistance’ means physical intervention by another person and does not include speech.
Who it may apply to
Daily living component activity 2 descriptor B may apply to an individual who:
- needs to use specially adapted cutlery, plates or drinking cups for example
- is at significant risk of choking when taking nutrition
- regularly spills food or drink due to tremors or other factors
- has difficulty cutting up food which is ready to be eaten (not cutting raw ingredients as these are considered in daily living component activity 1)
You should both:
- consider the aids, supervision or assistance an individual needs, remembering that consideration should be given to:
- what the client actually has use of, and
- what they could reasonably require (link to descriptor language in overview of decision making)
- consider the risk of choking beyond normal everyday risk. An individual would likely have a condition that increases the risk of them choking, for example, a condition affecting:
- muscle tone,
- coordination,
- consciousness, or
- causes swelling or obstruction of the oesophagus
And would likely provide information regarding previous choking episodes or one serious episode which required medical intervention.
Example: an individual who has reduced vision, who satisfies daily living component activity 2 descriptor B
Aaron lost some of the vision in both of his eyes 10 years ago, after an accident in science class at high school.
He completed his ADP application on his computer using speech-to-text technology.
Supporting information
He included his certificate of visual impairment with his application, which shows that he:
- is still able to see colour but
- cannot see shapes or faces, and
- has around 50% vision left in both of his eyes
Application form
In his application form, he says that he makes microwave meals, but his partner does most of the cooking.
Describes using aids to eat and drink
When his partner serves food, he uses a ‘clock method’ and a colour plate so that Aaron knows where the food is on his plate and can cut and eat this himself.
He also uses cups and glasses that have a coloured bottom, so that he knows when he has finished the drink.
Case manager’s decision
The case manager determines that Aaron satisfies daily living component activity 2 descriptor B because these pieces of equipment would be classed as aids.
Example: an individual who has been prescribed thickened fluids and no longer requires supervision who satisfies daily living component activity 2 descriptor B
Jason had a stroke and has been having difficulties swallowing.
Application form
In his application form it’s noted that his partner previously had to supervise him when he was eating meals.
His doctor has now:
- diagnosed him as having dysphagia and
- prescribed him thickened fluids
Jason’s partner no longer has to monitor him when he’s eating meals.
Case manager’s decision
As the thickened fluids have reduced Jason’s risk of choking the case manager determines that:
- Jason no longer requires supervision when taking nutrition and
- the thickened fluids can be considered an aid
Therefore determines that Jason satisfies daily living component activity 2 descriptor B.