The Personal Capacity Assessment and Lifting and Carrying.

This activity has seven descriptors. The full title is "lifting and carrying by the use of the upper body and arms". The numbers in brackets below are the points awarded for each descriptor.

• Cannot pick up a paperback book with either hand; (15)
• Cannot pick up and carry a 0.5 litre carton of milk with either hand; (15)
• Cannot pick up and pour from a full saucepan or kettle of 1.7 litre capacity with either hand; (15)
• Cannot pick up an carry a 2.5kg bag of potatoes with either hand; (8)
• Cannot pick up and carry a 0.5 litre of milk with one hand but can with the other; (6)
• Cannot pick up and carry a 2.5kg bag of potatoes with one hand but can with the other; (0)
• No problem with lifting and carrying. (0)

The handbook for doctors gives great emphasis to the fact that these descriptors are exclusively about lifting and carrying and not any other activities such as bending and reaching which are covered in other sections. The guidance states - "Lifting and carrying relate only to the ability to lift and hold an object at table top height in order that it may be carried from A to B." Lifting and carrying is further described as a measure of co-ordination, power, grip and joint mobility in the hands, wrists, and upper limbs.

The following are listed as relevant activities of daily living-

• Cooking (lifting and carrying saucepans, crockery);
• Shopping (lifting goods out of shopping trolley);
• Dealing with laundry.

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