ABSTRACTFunctional assessment (FA) is a method for measuring an individual's performance of a variety of skills included in activities necessary to daily living, leisure activities, vocational pursuits, social interactions and so forth. Proficiency in using FA allows one to integrate this performance‐based data with diagnostic descriptions of pathologic conditions and impairment states and, thus, to derive an understanding of the limitations or residual abilities in the performance of social roles. Having constructed a set of data that profiles the whole person, problems and needs can be identified more accurately and interventions can be developed that are more appropriate for enhancing personal independence and autonomy in fulfilling social roles. The Long‐Range Evaluation System (LRES) incorporates the scoring methodology of the Barthel index and the PULSES profile, and as such, the domain of personal care heavily depends upon independent functioning in selfcare, mobility and bladder and bowel sphincter control. Abilities in active use of the limbs, in communication and vision, need for physician and/or nursing services, and level of social supports are also noted. The social supports are described through the ESCROW profile. The three scales together form the backbone of the LRES assessment. In the expanded form, LRES was used with 39 subjects through the cooperation of the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Department of Neurology of the Boston University Medical Center. In this study of 39 subjects, problems of personal care were very common: 41 % in selfcare, 46 % in mobility and 55 % in control of bladder and/or bowel sphincters. Problems of high frequency that involve interactions with the environment were: limited use of transportation resources (72 %), reduced numbers of social activities (54 %), reduced use of budgeting skills (51 %), agitation (46 %), and depression (36 %). This suggests that an intervention plan to address these service needs for most members of the population would be help