Functional Assessment of Individuals

Medical Documentation

• You must bring current medical information to the PFN: specialist doctors' conclusions, extracts, examination results.
• During the assessment process, specialists use data systems:
  • Datamed,
  • E-health,
  • NRC “Vaivari” information system.

Person's Functional Status

• If a person is already using some TA (e.g., a prosthesis), it must be brought to the assessment.

 Self-Assessment Questionnaires

• If specific TA requires questionnaires, they must be brought to the PFN.
• Questionnaires are sent by specialists after an invitation to the assessment commission or can be found in the Questionnaires section:
• Self-assessment of the person's housing
• Document

  Anketa dzivesvietas novertejums FNL.docx.pdf (128.58 KB)
• Self-assessment questionnaire for the user of the alternative communication assistive device (child)
• Document

  Pašnovērtējuma anketa_bērniem_AKTPL FNL. 2026.doc.pdf (318.94 KB)
• Self-assessment questionnaire for the user of the alternative communication assistive device (adult)
• Document

  Pašnovērtējuma anketa_pieaugušajiem_AKTPL FNL .docx.pdf (220.26 KB)

 Additional Examinations

• When applying for alternative communication TA, if necessary, you must bring along vision, hearing, or other function examinations that may affect the choice and safe use of the TA.

Safety of TA Use

• Specialists assess whether the person's functional status allows for the safe use of the TA.
• The provision of electric mobility TA and alternative communication TA may be postponed or denied if, based on safety considerations, there are significant risks (e.g., seizures, severe cognitive impairments, inability to understand instructions).

Basic Principles of the Assessment Process

• Medical documentation and functional abilities are evaluated.
• Practical tests are conducted (e.g., test drive, walking test, communication testing).
• The decision may be:
  • Granted,
  • Postponed (if training, environmental adaptation, additional documents are needed),
  • Denied (if the use of the TA is not safe or does not correspond to the functional status),
  • offered to change the type of TA.

Preparation of the Opinion

• The opinion must specify a precise description of the person's functional impairments for which an electric mobility assistive device is needed.
• It must indicate the possible risks that may affect the safe use of the assistive device.
• The person's ability to understand and follow instructions, as well as orientation and safe mobility skills, must be assessed.

Person's Functional Status

• The person must be contactable, able to understand and follow instructions.
• If there are visual impairments, vision correction with appropriate glasses must be provided before the assessment.

Usage Risks

The most common risks that may affect the safe use of electric assistive devices:

• Epileptic seizures — the frequency and type of seizures must be specified.
• Visual impairments — vision correction with appropriate glasses must be provided before the assessment.
• Language comprehension disorders (e.g., sensory aphasia).
• Mental function disorders — the person must be contactable and able to listen to instructions.

Preparation and Documents

• Any medical information that may help make the best decision (doctor's conclusions, prescriptions, examinations) must be brought along.
• Specialists use data systems: Datamed, E-health, and NRC “Vaivari” information system.
• A person applying for an electric wheelchair or scooter must bring completed self-assessment questionnaires, which specialists send after the invitation to the assessment.
• Specific questionnaires for this assistive device category:
  • Two questionnaires will be added here (link will be provided later).

Assessment Process

The assessment process includes:

1. Evaluation of Medical Information

• Doctor's conclusions, examinations, and functional limitations are analyzed.

2. Testing Functional Abilities

• Range of motion.
• Muscle strength.
• Ability to maintain balance and perform safe transfer activities.

3. Practical Tests

• A test drive with the electric wheelchair or scooter is mandatory.
• The ability to operate the assistive device, adhere to safety regulations, and navigate the environment is assessed.

4. Decision Making

• Granted — if the person can safely use the assistive device.
• Deferred — if additional training, environmental adjustments, or additional documents are needed.
• Denied — if the use of the assistive device is unsafe or inappropriate for the person's functional status.
• Proposal to change the type of assistive device.

Methodological Materials

Preparation of the Opinion

• The opinion must indicate the person's daily mobility method, including which assistive devices the person can use to move.
• It should describe functional impairments that affect mobility and the prosthetic process.
• It should indicate possible risks that may affect the safe use of assistive devices.

Prosthetic Risks

• Hand function impairments that may affect the safe use of assistive devices.
• Inability to stand on one leg and walk with assistive devices (especially important in the case of unilateral amputation).
• Cognitive function impairments — the person must be able to communicate and follow instructions.

Important! Preparation and Documents

• Before the PFN, the person must receive consultation on mobility enhancement and preparation for prosthetics.
• Compression therapy for the amputation stump (bandaging) must be provided.
• If the person is already using a prosthesis, it must be brought to the PFN.
• It is advisable to bring an elastic bandage.

Evaluation Process

1. Assessment of Mobility Skills

• Mobility skills are assessed - changes in posture, walking skills.
• Walking with assistive devices is evaluated.
• In the case of unilateral amputation, it is preferable for the person to be able to walk at least 10 meters.

2. Assessment of Soft Tissue of the Stump

• The suitability of the soft tissue for prosthetics is checked.
• The bandaging technique and its quality are evaluated.

Methodological Materials

• Document

  Rekomendācijas pēc amputācijas.pdf (87.27 KB)
• Document

  Amputācijas stumbra saitēšana (virs ceļa).pdf (69.77 KB)
• Amputation stump bandaging (below the knee)
• Recommendations for children after amputation

Preparation of the opinion

• The person's daily communication methods and their limitations must be specified.
• The risks that may affect the safe and effective use of the assistive device must be described.
• The person's ability to use hand motor skills to operate the device must be assessed.

Usage risks

• Fine motor skill disorders that affect the use of buttons or touch screens.
• Disorders of cognitive functions that may affect the ability to understand tasks and use the device.

Preparation and documents

• Specific questionnaires necessary for the assessment of the assistive device must be brought along.
• If it is necessary to use a personal computer or tablet, it should not be purchased before the PFN — specialists will provide recommendations.
• Specific questionnaires for this technical aid category: attach questionnaires (link will be added later)

Assessment process

• The recognition of images, fine motor skills and communication abilities are assessed.
• Appropriate devices are necessarily tested to determine the most suitable solution.

Preparation of the opinion

• Risks associated with the use of gaze control technology must be indicated.
• The person's ability to fixate their gaze and maintain attention must be assessed.

 Usage risks

• Eye fixation disorders — if a person cannot maintain their gaze on a single point for at least 5 seconds.
• Disorders of cognitive functions that affect the ability to use the technology.

Preparation and documents

• It is advisable to bring vision and hearing examinations.
• Specific questionnaires must be brought.
• As with hand control cases — do not purchase a computer or tablet before the assessment.

Assessment process

• The special software and devices with gaze control are tested.
• The ability to control the cursor with gaze and make selections is assessed.

Preparation of the opinion

• It is necessary to describe postural control disorders.
• It is necessary to indicate spinal and joint deformities that affect sitting.

Risks of use

• Impact of prolonged forced positions — if self-correction of the sitting position is not possible.
• Impact of the thigh abductor, which may complicate transferring.

Assessment process

• Assessment of spinal and joint deformities.
• Assessment of ability to maintain a sitting position.
• Evaluation of overall mobility of the person.

Preparation of the opinion

• The child's ability to maintain the torso and head. must be described.
• The reasons why a regular child car seat is not safe in this particular case must be indicated.

Assessment process

• The child's functional suitability for the special car seat is evaluated.
• It is determined how to ensure safe positioning during transport.

Preparation of the opinion

• To describe structural deformities (bones, joints, ligaments).
• To indicate functional disorders (muscle strength, range of motion, gait characteristics).

 Precise goals of using technical aids

• Pain relief.
• Slowing down the progression of deformities.
• Stabilization of gait, etc.

Risks of use

• Tissue trophic and sensory disorders — increased risk of pressure sores and wounds.
• Behavioral disorders — risk of damaging the technical aid or causing self-harm.

 Assessment process

• Assessment of muscle strength, range of motion and gait is performed.
• Evaluation of structural deformities of the body, using measurements and examinations.

 Methodological materials

• Prescription of orthopedic shoes