Daily living component activity 4 descriptor F (4 points)
Needs assistance to be able to wash their body between the shoulders and waist.
What descriptor F does not usually apply to
Daily living component activity 4 descriptor F does not usually consider an individual’s ability to wash their upper spinal region.
Who it’s likely to apply to
If an individual has use of one functional upper limb only, they are likely to be considered unable to wash under their functioning arm and may satisfy daily living component activity 4 descriptor F.
Example: an individual who has underdeveloped growth, who satisfies daily living component activity 4 descriptor F
Nora has underdeveloped growth following thalidomide toxicity, resulting in her arms not developing through childhood. She uses many adaptations to help her do things in her daily life.
Application form
In her ADP application form, she explains that she is unable to wash herself. She is able to access the shower with the controls for the shower lowered, so she can turn this on with her feet. She is able to access the bath when her partner lifts her into the bath. She explains that when it comes to washing, because she is unable to hold aids, she needs her partner to wash her body, but she is able to wash her own face.
As Nora does not have use of her arms, she is unable to use aids to wash herself and she is unable to wash any part of her body. She is able to access the bath and shower with assistance but needs someone else’s help to wash.
Case manager’s decision
The case manager determines that Nora satisfies daily living component activity 4 descriptor F, because she needs the assistance of another person to wash her body between the shoulders and waist.