Common Assessment tools for Community Support Services (CSS)
Common Assessments are evidence based standardized tools that facilitate the collection and use of client assessment information. They are internationally recognized automated tools and standardized processes that support the collection and use of client assessment information. The common assessments capture clients needs, informs service plans and measures client outcomes over time. Aggregate data generated by common assessments is used to support service and system planning.
To deliver on the CSS sector’s vision of standardised common assessment processes and practices, the interRAI Preliminary Screener (interRAI PS) and the interRAI Community Health Assessment (interRAI CHA) tools were implemented across the province.
Why use CSS Common Assessments?
Benefits of a common assessment in the CSS sector for clients, Health Service Providers (HSPs), and the health care system include:
- Identifying individual needs, helping match these to existing services and identifies service gaps
- Informing client centred care and service plans
- Further facilitating communication among HSPs through common data standards
- Enhancing the quality of information by having a consistent approach to collection
- Providing aggregate data that is consistent across the sector to inform organizational, regional and provincial-level planning and decision making
interRAI CHA is used for:
Clients requiring comprehensive assessment to inform care planning – related to ADL/IADL support needs
Includes: Adult Day Services, Personal Support/Independence Training, Assisted Living/Supportive Housing (SDL), Attendant Outreach, Case Management/Care Coordination
interRAI Preliminary Screener is used for:
Clients requiring a single service for low intensity support and who are independent in managing their ADLs/IADLs
interRAI CHA or the interRAI Preliminary Screener are used for:
Clients with ADL/IADL needs and caregiver involvement
interRAI CHA usage depends on a caregiver’s ability to manage
The interRAI CHA is the comprehensive assessment tool that helps identify the needs of adults living in the community and in residential care settings who need support to prevent or stabilize early functional or health decline. The interRAI CHA is geared to the somewhat frail or dependent clients who require assistance for independent living (e.g., attendant outreach, supportive housing, assisted living).
The interRAI PS is intended to identify clients who would benefit from a comprehensive assessment. The interRAI PS is geared to clients who are receiving low intensity support services (e.g., homemaking, transportation).
interRAI CHA and interRAI PS Training resources
