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To an acceptable standard
What the test considers
This test considers the standard to which an individual completes an activity.
Definition of ‘to a reasonable standard’
To carry out an activity ‘to a reasonable standard’ means to a reasonable standard for the activity, taking account of the impact on the individual of carrying out the activity to that standard (ADP regs, reg. 7(2)(b)(iii) and (3)(b)).
It is not simply enough that a client’s able to complete an activity regardless of the standard they can complete it to or the impact carrying it out has on them. This test ensures that the client’s actual experience of carrying out activities is taken into account.
What is an acceptable standard
There will be a range of what constitutes an acceptable standard, from what is not perfect but sufficient, to what is an extremely high standard.
You must determine what’s reasonable for the activity – that’s an objective consideration of what would generally be thought of as an acceptable standard.
For example, it’s reasonable that on occasion people may get a bit of food on themselves while eating – completing this activity with a small mark on their clothes would therefore be to an acceptable standard.
It would not be expected that an individual has to regularly change their clothes after eating because they spill so much food on themselves. Completing the activity in this way would not be to an acceptable standard.
Consider the impact of activity
It’s important to also consider the impact completing the activity has on the individual.
This requires consideration to be given to how a person feels both during and after carrying an activity out.
Impact should take into account a range factors including but not limited to:
- pain,
- discomfort,
- breathlessness,
- fatigue,
- anxiety caused to the client.
An activity which may otherwise be completed to an acceptable standard would become unacceptable if a client has to put up with pain, discomfort, etc, while carrying it out.
The question to be answered by you is, does the impact of completing the activity mean that it is not being completed to an acceptable standard.
For example, an individual may be able to fully dress themselves. But if doing so causes them to become so out of breath that they need to rest afterwards, then they would not be able to dress to an acceptable standard.
Example: an individual with Parkinson’s disease who satisfies the threshold to an acceptable standard for daily living activity 2 descriptor F
Application form
Robert reports that he has Parkinson’s disease and is able to eat meals himself.
However he goes on to report that while he can get food to his mouth, due to a loss of coordination he spills food every time he eats to the point he has to change his clothing after every meal.
Case manager’s decision
While it is reasonable to spill some food it would not be considered an acceptable standard of eating to have to change clothes every time Robert eats.
The case manager begins by considering whether Robert could eat to an acceptable standard with an aid or appliance. They determine that the difficulties that Robert has with his grip, mean that there is not an aid which would help him complete the activity to an acceptable standard.
Going on to consider the remaining descriptors, the case manager determines that the only way for the client to complete the activity to an acceptable standard is to be fed by another person.