Daily living component activity 4 descriptor C (2 points)
Needs supervision or prompting to be able to wash or bathe.
Daily living component activity 4 descriptor C is most likely to apply to an individual who has needs relating to mental health, cognitive, or neurological conditions.
Neurological conditions
A neurological condition that leads to a change in an individual’s consciousness (e.g., epilepsy) requiring supervision will usually be considered as part of daily living component activity 4 descriptor C. Where other needs are also present an alternative descriptor may be more appropriate.
Prompting
Prompting means reminding, encouraging or explaining by another person. For this descriptor prompting may apply to an individual who lacks the motivation to wash, or needs to be reminded to wash.
The majority of the time
If an individual can wash or bathe the majority of the time without risk of injury. For example, because the symptoms they experience are managed by medication, then daily living component activity 4 descriptor C would not apply.
Supervision
Supervision may apply to an individual where there is a safety risk from seizures.
Example: an individual with a learning disability, who satisfies daily living component activity 4 descriptor C
Application form
Nigel has a learning disability, and his ADP application form has been completed by his father whom he lives with. His father explains that Nigel can manage some of the activities in the application form but there are times that he doesn’t understand dangers. He explains that Nigel enjoys having a bath, but if he were to be left to do it himself, he would switch the hot water on and fill the bath. His father mentions that he has done this twice before and the most recent time, experienced a significant burn to his foot because he didn’t understand the danger of hot water.
Supporting information
Along with his application form is a letter from his GP, which confirms that Nigel has a learning disability and lacks insight into dangerous situations, such as talking to strangers, using open flames to cook and testing the temperature of water.
As Nigel lacks awareness of danger or safety which is needed to complete this activity, he needs someone to be with him to make sure that he is safe when completing this activity.
Case manager’s decision
The case manager determines that Nigel satisfies daily living component activity 4 descriptor C, because of the need for supervision to ensure that this activity is completed in a safe manner.